2000 Volkswagen New Beetle recalls and problems

The 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle has 2 recalls and 40 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

Pictured: a 1999 model; the 2000 may differ in details. Photo: 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2000 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 6 New Beetle model years — the most of any year.

2recalls

40complaints

2crashes

5fires

2injuries

27,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Exterior Lighting

Jul 25, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V265000 · 295,136 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the brake lamp switch May malfunction.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.

Risk: If this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or the lamps could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake lamp switches. Owner notification began September 26, 2003. Owners should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.

Vw recall no. Wt.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Equipment

Sep 12, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V244000 · 332,950 vehicles

Problem: Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." child seat anchorages installed in the vehicle's rear seats must be identified by markings, and their location and use be described in the owner's manual.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.

Risk: These vehicles were not marked or described as required by the standard.

Original NHTSA wording

THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy & notes

Owners will be provided with a supplement for the owner's manual and also one set of four guidance fixtures intended to use in conjunction with child seats equipped with rigid or semi-rigid lower anchorage attachments. Also enclosed will be four decals together with installation instructions and a template for attaching the decals to the lower seat backs. Owner notification is expected to begin September 15, 2002. Owners should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Vehicle Speed Control2

Visibility2

Seat Belts1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2000 vs. other Volkswagen New Beetle years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2000. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle, the latest from Jul 25, 2003 (exterior lighting). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (14), engine (9), air bags (5). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.