2001 Volkswagen Beetle: check engine light

Filed Dec 17, 2024 · Engine, Locks · 70,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed Oct 27, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 255,411 miles · CA

Continue over heating blowing head twice engine light stay on brake lights on left side don't work alarm wont lock left side doesn't work and back seat is totally unsafe for kids. Front is vary unstable it feel like it going to fall off to low to the ground , etc......it goes on and on.

Filed Jul 30, 2011 · Brakes · GA

I bought my 2001 vw beetle and I started having problems the day I brought it home. Within 45 min my epc light came on, my ABS light came on and my check engine light came on. The car stalled. I lost power steering, breaks, and car would not idle. Called the dealer and they said it sounded like the throttle body had went out. They replaced it with no charge, because I threatened to return the car under the lemon law, ever since I have had nothing but problems. Starting in nov. Of 2010 I had a lot of miss fire. Took it to the vw dealer they said that the coils were recalled and they replaced them for free. Since then my coils and spark plugs have been replaced four times due to faulty manufacturing. About two weeks (july 2011) I went out and started my car, once again my epc light, my ABS light and check engine light came on. Once again I lost my power steering, brakes, car wouldn?t idle. Took it to the dealer they said it was the mass airflow sensor. Changed it car ran fine for one day. The next day the lights came on again. Took it back to the dealer they said it?s the coils and sparks plugs. Had them changed less than a month ago (june 2001) when I had the timing belt changed. Took it back again now they are saying it?s the throttle body again. Last time I checked a throttle body should last more than 2 year. I was looking for a used throttle body and was at a parts store the guy said that there has been a huge issue with the wiring harness and it cost about $2000 hoping this is not my problem?. Within the last two years I have sunk 3500 in to this crap car.

Filed Jul 5, 2011 · Electrical · 61,500 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen beetle gls . While the vehicle was parked the contact placed the key in the ignition and heard a clicking sound but the vehicle would not start. The vehicle would only start when it was jump started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure occurred a second time and was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated the alternator needed to be replaced. The alternator was replaced but the failure continued. The mechanic stated the vehicle be taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure continued and the check engine warning light was illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technicians stated the alternator needed to be replaced a second time. The failure continued after the replacement of the alternator. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 61,500. Updated 08/24/11*lj updated 3/05/2012

Filed Jul 3, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 67,860 miles · MA

2001 vw beetle. From the very beginning, it has been nothing but problems. For the first few years it was covered under the warranty, free of charge repairs. I have low mileage so I thought that by the time these items were repaired it would be fine when the warranty expired. There is always something wrong with the car and in particular the electrical system. The check engine light is always going off. The safety issue comes in with its current problem. I had a fuel injection flush which included the carbon deposits removal known as induction, air filter replaced, engine fuel filter replaced, and a brake fluid flush plus 4 new spark plugs. Prior to this service, my car was having difficulty starting with major shaking. I had to put my foot on the accelerator to get it going while starting. Now after the service it runs much better but the problem is that now stalls when I come to a traffic light and stop for a period of time. This is extremely dangerous. The other malfunctions that have happened over the years are an expense but it was something that I could somehow manage. This is incredibly dangerous. I have no control over traffic lights and the generator comes on when I stop, it is worse when the light changes fast and then I have to stop even more suddenly. Imagine if I am on the highway and it stops. This has happened once, a few weeks prior to the cleaning service. Now, I am afraid to drive that vehicle. I have looked online at message boards from other vw beetle owners and had read similar stories of such dissatisfaction, incredible financial expense with the electrical system and other components of cars. I have even read that these cars can become inflamed , necessitating the fire dept. To put it out. This is a lemon and so many other vw owners have written similar account message boards. The consumer stated the oxygen sensor and mass air flow sensor had to be replaced. Also, the epc light illuminated. Updated ivoq 07/07/11. *jb

Filed Jul 8, 2010 · Engine, Seat belts · MA

Why don't you have a catalytic converter problem for the 2001 volkswagen beetle. The company is replacing them. I just had one installed after having the engine light indicate I had a problem.

Filed Feb 8, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Engine and transmission overheating just a terrible car. Wax material interior removes easily with nails children can eat it has crayola smell.should have been made of plastic or vinyl. This whole car should be recall. Epc brake switch always on had it repaired 3 times engine light is always on. Bad electrical. Interior AC light is always off. In and out of mechanic.

Filed Mar 7, 2009 · Airbags · 70,423 miles · VA

The checkered flag vabeach va dealership actually told me my check engine light was on because of a malfunction of an airbag fuse. If this is true, the airbag light does not work on 2001 new beetles. I suggest you follow up on this dealership for faulty information and consumer negligence . All they did was reset the code in the computer. T. Forgey, customer

Filed Jul 25, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · FL · fire

I have a 2001 vw new beetle. I have replaced brake light, which was drains the battery, serpentine belt, remoteless key which is still broken- basically 6 days after buying this car- I spent $1200 on repairs- now the check engine light is on, the transmission is acting funny, and basically- my vw dealership has a field day with me. To top it off- my battery died a month ago- and caught on fire when I tried to jump it. I am afraid that this car will blow up on me at any time. Please help me!

Filed Apr 2, 2008 · Engine · 53,000 miles · ID

This problem has been a on going problem for about 2 years now, each time this happens you have to take the car to the vw dealer only to get screwed ,check engine light comes on car starts misfiring has no power uses lots of gas stalls runs ruff . I am afraid to drive this car on the freeway in heavy traffic for fear of it stalling and getting ran into by another car its a public endangerment these cars are. In april of 2007 I had to take it to the dealer they gave it a quick fix costing 450.00 the last time they told me I had a bad fuel injector they replace it . It ran fine for a couple of months then in nov 15 2007 the car stalled again daughter limped it home the check engine light was on the car was missing bad it was night and getting close to zero outside . We parked it this time because we did not have the money to fix the car it has 53,000 miles on it. I refuse to take it to another vw dealer , and all vw of america will say is we are sorry for you trouble but because you are not the first buyer of the car and are the second buyer of this car that was a lease return you are not entitle to the 10 years 100.000 mile powertrain warranty that come with the car. If you are the first buyer of the car. Then these repair would be covered . The week of jan 15 2008 we took the car to an independent auto mechanic shop . I took them 2 days to find the problem the mass airflow sensor was bad and the tps sensor is bad in all it will take 1,400.00 dollars to fix this car. We paid for the mass airflow sensor to be replaced and the cost to find the problems. Then we took the car home and parked it . It still needs the tps sensor replaced that will cost 1,000.00 and the car will be drivable .

Filed Feb 28, 2008 · Engine · NY

The car's check engine light comes on variably, local mechanic claims an oxygen sensor is malfunctioning, and able to clear the computer warning check engine light. Vw service station claims can't diagnose problem if light is out, have to wait til light is on again.

Filed Nov 7, 2007 · Acceleration, Airbags · 25,000 miles · TX

2001 brand new beetle started developing stains on the seat from day one. Blue jeans and dark sweaters stain the interiors to that color everytime someone sits down in the car. The throttle body has gone out three times, costing me over countless dollars in repair fees and is now out for the fourth time. Crown volkswagen in tyler, tx has repaired it each time, the longest repair lasting about four months. They've paid for the repair once, but do not provide me with a replacement rental vehicle, refuse to pick up the phone during the day or return phone calls, and has cost me tons of time and money traveling from dallas to tyler to check on the car and pick it up. Once, I drove two hours from nacogdoches, tx to tyler, tx on the scheduled pick up day, having tried to call before leaving town to make sure it was ready, only to find that they hadn't gotten to the car when I arrived. This happened twice during the same repair which lasted a couple of weeks. They have been uncooperative, and the car is horrible. The arm rest broke one day as I lifted it, it just fell apart in my hands, the interior covering on the doors and dashboard flakes off, the sunroof broke numerous times while driving over a railroad track to get to work everyday. It finally jammed the visor so that it no longer works. The seat moving mechanisms no longer work. The airbag is in constant malfunction, the check engine and eps lights are always on. I constantly have to pull my car over onto the side of the road because it loses power and I have to restart it to get it to work again, although it never has a lot of power. This particular issue has nearly caused several wrecks. I am incredibly lucky. The cruise control no longer works, and it takes about 200 dollars a month to fill it up with gas because the engine problems effect the fuel efficiency.