The light on my dash came on for the drivers airbag and had it checked by the dealer march, 2010 for my 2001 vw beetle 1.9 diesel. I was told the chip in the seat belt had gone bad needs to be replaced. Approx. $175.00 the service dept. Called vw and they could not tell me if my defective chip in the seatbelt will deploy upon impact. 50% chance it might. I have noticed all the $ I have put into this car vw generally is not on the recall lists for anything. Also, the headlight bulbs generally burn out every year and they need to be replaced. Vw doesn't tell how to change the bulbs in the manual. Had to go to the dealer to show how to change a light bulb which I feel is a safety issue. I will not buy another vw because they do not back up their product. Also I know this my be old information but I didn't know where I could report this until I saw something in the paper. I don't know many other vw's out there are with this type of problem but I have talked to vw complaint dept. And all they told me is that they go off of dealers records. I really don't believe it because some of the problems I have had either does n't change for fixing or vw fixes some of the problems in the next models coming out of which I am stuck with the problem. No help from vw.
2001 Volkswagen Beetle: headlights failing or too dim
8 of the 203 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 2
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
The hazard lights, turn signals and headlights on my car do not work. I've taken it in to an auto shop and they cannot find out what is wrong with the car. Hoping maybe there is a recall that I have missed.
The headlamps have been replaced four times. According to a vw dealership who serviced the vehicle, I was informed that the vehicle's wiring harness is defective, causing the headlights and instrumentation cluster to fail. The dealership informed me that they are aware of the wireing harness problem, but are not aware of any service recalls.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen new beetle. The contact stated that whenever he drove 35 MPH or more at night the headlights failed. They are not adjustable; yet, the one on the drivers side was aimed lower and the passenger side was aimed higher. The vehicle was taken to the dealer previously who adjusted the headlights but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 168,000.
2001 vw beetle - gasket for headlights and headlight lenses deteriorated. Had to have replaced.
These are secondary safety issues: 1) gas gauge requires $700 instrument cluster 2) headlights shipped from factory missing retainer band and require $650 fix just to align. Vw san jose, ca invoice [xxx] on 2001 vw beetle lemon [xxx]. *nm updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Multiple requests to have our 2001 new beetle tdi headlights adjusted properly have not been complied with by gurley-leep vw service department, since the first year of ownership, 2001 when the car was new.*ak specifically: low beam headlights are set far, far too low; I estimate the headlights illuminate about 60 feet in front of the vehicle, limiting travel at night to ~35 MPH; this is obviously a safety hazard for two reasons: 1) we can't see hazards soon enough, and 2) our lower speeds present a hazard to other vehicles traveling at higher (normal) speeds. When I ask why the headlights are set too low, I'm told by service department personnel that "they're set to spec". Latest, 12/14/04: service department again told us they set the headlights "to spec", but the right light assembly doesn't stay in adjustment, I.e., it "drops", and we need to buy a new assembly at about $330.00. This is a strange situation because the left headlight illuminates the road at the same distance as the right headlight, and the gurley leep service department people did not tell us there was a problem with the left. Bottom line: this is apparently either a manufacturing defect or a poorly managed maintenance department; either way it is a safety hazard and must be corrected by vw at no charge.
The vehicles daytime running lights/headlight have one switch which continuously burned out and resulted in no head lights.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses
- Technical Bulletin: Condensation and or water droplets becomming visible on inside of exterior light...
- Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation):
- Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- VW Elsa Newsletter
- Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation): Exterior light assemblies (headlights,...
Related recalls
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
Questions about the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle?
8 of 203 owner complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle (4%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 1998.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle?
There are 2 recalls and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle
Check engine light 19Airbag light 16Stalling 14ABS 10Loss of power 10Fire or smoke 8Fuel gauge 8No deployment 6Overheating 5Seat belt 5
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