2001 Volkswagen Beetle: sudden loss of power

Filed May 4, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 145,000 miles · SC

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.

Filed Aug 26, 2011 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen bettle. The contact stated that the vehicle would downshift abnormally between gears and he would have to manually shift from fourth into third. The vehicle would then roar loudly and lose all power. The failure recurred intermittently. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, did not offer any assistance. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 86,000. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

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 Oct 1, 2006 · Engine · 73,000 miles · CO

This is my second vw beetle turbo that has an engine that has died below the recommended mileage for maintenance. Both vehicles did the same thing and died while I was driving on a highway at 75 miles per hour. I lost power and was not able to use my breaks to pull over for safety. After contacting vw customer service (800 882 8987 ref# 60353557 9-29-06) I was informed, "the vehicle is no longer under warranty even though the damage occurred below the recommended service". My current mileage is 73k and my current mechanic informed me that the usual mileage for this type of problem is 105k. After some research I have found that this is not a unique issue and volkswagen is more than aware of this defect. It is ridiculous that they think they should not be responsible.

Filed Sep 7, 2006 · Engine · 56,000 miles · PA

I purchased a certified used 2001 volkswagen new beetle in feb 2003. While driving down the turnpike suddenly the car lost power and all the lights on the dashboard lit up. I was able to get the car off to the side of the road. I had the car towed to a certified vw garage where I was told I needed a new engine. I had no warning that the car was overheating until it stopped and the dashboard lights came on. This car has only 56,000 miles on it. The mechanic is going to give me a rebuilt engine because he is trying to save me some money. So far my car is in the garage for over a month because it seems it is not easy to get a repairable used motor. This is going to cost me several thousands of dollars. Also I have been without a car for one month already which of course causes a hardship and a lot of stress. I don't feel that a motor should have to be replaced with only 56,000 miles on it. I thought I was buying a reliable car. Boy was I wrong!!

Filed Aug 28, 2005 · Engine · 95,900 miles · KY

Loss of power on 2001 vw new beetle tdi. Air intake clogs up due to water like substance causing substantial power loss.

Filed Aug 9, 2004 · Electrical · 10,000 miles · DC

Electrical problem with 2001 volkswagen beetle. *mr the consumer was driving on the highway when the vehicle lost power and shut down with no warning. The diagnosis was that the vehicle needed a new alternator. *sc

Filed Jul 5, 2004 · Electrical · VA

2001 vw beetle, 10,000, well maintained mechanically/garage parking - alternator shut down on I-66 in virginia with no previous warning; number of lights on the panel lite up on the morning of june 20, 2004 on a trip to tennessee and car just shut down, lost power.

Filed Aug 23, 2002 · Engine · KY

Engine quit running while driving at 30 MPH. Lost all power including power steering and brakes. Was able to stop car safely. Car would not restart. Dealer reports that ECM is being replaced, but blames problem on an aftermarket k&n air filter that was installed 11 months ago. Informed dealer and vw customer service of the magnussen-moss warranty act of 1982 which makes it a federal offence to not honor a warranty unless the manufacturer offers free filters. Vw is covering ECM under warranty, but is insisting on use of a vw filter at my expense. I consider this to be a serious safety defect and a violation of federal law. The vw reference number for this complaint is #20268678.

Filed Jan 31, 2002 · Acceleration, Engine · NY

Most of the engine was replaced during the beginning of january. On jan 22nd, traveling on a highway, engine lost power and was almost involved in a multi-car accident. I was in the middle lane and the power cut from 55 to about 10 miles an hour in the matter of seconds. Other cars were swerving around me and I was finally able to pull off the road. Car was towed back to dealership and the throttle body was cleaned out. On jan 30th the same thing happened again, only this time I was not on a highway but a side street. Car was towed away again andis in the dealership waiting for repairs. During this month not only was an engine replaced but it malfunctioned twice. It is dangerous to travel on any highway with this car. The engine malfunctioned twice in one week. I can not safely return to driving this car. I was almost killed once and was very lucky not to have been involved in a seriuos accident. The beetle has engine problems and very major ones. For a car that is 8 months old, this should not be happening.