Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,854, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 74,036.
The worst 2001 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine51
- Electrical43
- Airbags40
- Lights30
- Transmission24
- Brakes22
- Fuel system11
- Seat belts11
- Visibility7
- Acceleration6
- Body4
- Locks4
- Seats4
- Suspension4
- Tires4
- Wheels3
- Steering1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle
Check engine light 19Airbag light 16Stalling 14ABS 10Loss of power 10Fire or smoke 8Fuel gauge 8Headlights 8No deployment 6Overheating 5Seat belt 5
Recalls 2
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
- Risk
- The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on april 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through september 21, 2007. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved in either this recall or 06v‑183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the VIN number of the vehicle. Owners may contact vw at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 07V063000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions and cruise controls, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly during safety recalls 03v‑265 or 04v‑096.
- Risk
- The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on november 27, 2006. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved in either this recall or 06v‑183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the VIN number of the vehicle. Owners may contact vw at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 06V183000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle
Defect investigations
Brake light switch failure
By letters dated may 24, 2006 and august 4, 2006, volkswagen (vw) notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (the federal safety agency recall no 06v‑183) involving model year (my) 1998-2002 volkswagen new beetle and 1999-2002 volkswagen jetta vehicles equipped with cruise control.volkswagen?s recall covers 646,246 vehicles.previously, vw recalled these vehicles to replace a defective brake light switch (recalls 03v‑265 and 04v‑096) that was unique to vehicles with cruise control.volkswagen reports that the brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly during recalls 03v‑265 and 04v‑096.volkswagen will install a new design brake light switch.based on volkswagen's safety recall action, this investigation is closed.
RQ06004
Brake light switch
The brake light switch used in cruise control equipped my 1998-1999 and all my 2000 and later models has undergone multiple revisions.analysis of warranty and complaint data indicates high replacement rates occurred in vehicles built with brake switch part numbers 1j0 945 511a and 1j0 945 511b, the original and first revision levels, respectively.the failure of the switch could result in failure of the brake lights to illuminate when the brakes are applied, or could cause the brake lamps to stay continually illuminated.either condition results in the inability of the brake lights to notify other motorists of vehicle braking.under safety recall 03v‑265, volkswagen will inspect the brake light switch on all vehicles built through november 2001.any affected switch will be replaced free of charge with the most current version, part number 1j0 945 511d.
EA03002
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle 189
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.
- Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger
- Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- Tool number added to table
- Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- Quick Reference Update Guide.
What 2001 Volkswagen Beetle owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor was abnormally strong. The contact stated that exhaust fumes were entering the vehicle through the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear latch for the hatchback was not locking securely and was also allowing exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Manufacturer Emissions Recall Circular Code: WA000 Reprograming of Engine Control Module and Replacement of Oxygen Sensor (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Car caught on fire 2 times it was electrical and fuel problem the fire department was present. I reported this once already and the company acted like they didnt care
A huge amount of 2.0l engines (1998-2006) seem to stall when driving or stationary after 20 min from cold start in high temps (+75f) . Loss of power steering and power assist brakes. It happened to me 2x while driving 45 MPH. Scary. Dealers and mechanics can't locate issues because its intermittent. Cars operate normal again after 10-20 mins. See http://newbeetle.org/forums/2-0-liter-gas/139065-hot-weather-stop-go-car-stalls-dangerous-2.html#post1508562 for a list of different sites all listing similar issues. Apparently, and according to my research, the issue stopped on model yr 2007 and higher.
Left turn indicator rapid blinks even with all new bulbs
I read the recall announcement in the paper (the federal safety agency 17v‑509, vw 20ae) regarding the fuel pump cut out. I have complained to vw a number of times over the years that my vw engine stops when driving between 55 and 65 MPH. The service writers response was that the fuel pump needs to be replaced - a $1000 item. Other mechanics that I've asked have said that if that was the case the engine would not get fuel and not work and that it was probably something else. When I read the symptoms reported in 20ae, they were exactly what I have experienced many times, but not consistently. At 65 MPH when the engine cuts out, the deceleration is almost immediate to 50 MPH. The symptoms started about 8-10 years ago. I have not driven the car on the freeway since because I was nearly run over by a cement truck. The article I read said that no known crashes or injuries were caused by the problem. Please consider expanding the investigation to include the 2001 new beetle to see if there were any serious injuries due to this issue. I believe my issue is exactly the same as the issue reported in the press.
Driving down the road on 3 different my occasions car overheated now it won't start.
Car was illegally repossessed (I own the vehicle but used it as collateral in a small loan) november 29, 2016 while I was in another state. I then received a email from carfax that the odometer was changed and gave me the new mileage. I purchased the car in march of 2015 and the mileage was over 155,000 miles but now it reports 124, 685 miles which is not an error but intentional and obvious odometer fraud! I have attached several photos showing the dealership website's log of mileage when I bought it, the picture of my odometer as of october 2015 (when it was no longer able to drive due to oil leak from valve cover), and the email screenshot from carfax showing the odometer fraud. The new owners of the vehicle are peter landry of for financial in donaldsonville, louisiana 225 473 7652
Air bag light came on and stayed on. Car shop said the seat belt switch assembly failed, and needed to be replaced. If there was a crash, the seat belt would not lock and the driver would be thrown into the air bag.
Coolant system can not be fixed. When driving, sometimes the coolant will be boiling. Sometimes the coolant level is low lead the coolant system light on. When add more coolant to the water tank, after several miles driving, the coolant level will be higher than normal. It runs well then the coolant system/overheating light will be on. Keep driving then the light will be off. Then it will be off. Mechanics tried to clean and replace the whole coolant system. But the overheating issue happened again and again. Then after they tried four times, I was told that I need to get rid of the car cause they cannot fix it. And they knew other people's vw new beetle(2000) has the same issue. Seems like not only my beetle bug's problem.
Compare the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle
Other model years
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Questions about the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle
Is the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
Owners have filed 203 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle, 3.1 times a typical Beetle model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle year score?
The 2001 Volkswagen Beetle scores 30 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Beetle: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle?
Engine and cooling, with 51 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles. Next is electrical (43).
How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle have?
2 recalls, covering exterior lighting.
What year does the Volkswagen Beetle have bad engine?
The Volkswagen Beetle model years with the most engine complaints are 2000 (62 complaints), 2001 (51 complaints) and 1999 (34 complaints).
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