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2000 Volkswagen Beetle Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 263 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle, most often about the air bags (24% of complaints, typically around 39,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Beetle model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.

Complaints263
Recalls1
Crashes reported8
Fires reported21
Injuries reported151 death reported

Most common 2000 Volkswagen Beetle problems

  1. Air bags

    64 complaints · 24%

    Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.

    The vehicle hit a pot hole and the airbag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer who stated they would fix it so the light would not come on, and stated that the right passenger airbag had a leak in it. Consumer was later involved in a front end collision and none of the airbags deployed.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 36,920 miles
    Problem: chronic failure of driver's air bag circuit purchased february 2000. Since july 2004 we have had repeated (eight) repairs done in response to the airbag light illuminating continuously, indicating the air bag circuit is faulty and the air bag won't fire should an accident occur. Despite repeated repairs…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 40,800 miles

  2. Engine

    62 complaints · 24%

    Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.

    2000 turbo engine Beetle with 68,700 miles was 'chugging' like a diesel immediately after non-related warranty repair at the dealer. Took back to the dealer who quoted $1500 to replace timing belt and water pump. Paid $95 for their diagnosis and took the car to my regular mechanic who did the same repair for $450!…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 68,700 miles
    On april 4, 2008, our 2000vw gls Beetle caught fire as it was being driven on the interstate. Car had been hesitating and the check engine light would come on, so we had it serviced at our local vw dealership on march 28. Diagnostics did not find anything wrong. We went ahead as asked for fuel filter and the coolant…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 72,500 miles

  3. Electrical

    58 complaints · 22%

    Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery.

    2000 vw new Beetle ignition swtich - thousands of failures with documented photographic proof of overheated wiring burning through insulation within steering column. Fire hazard! My switch went back in the middle of the arizona desert. No headlights, no windshield wipers, no horn, no A/C, no turn signals, no fog…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 70,000 miles
    Power windows and power door locks will not operate while I'm driving. Took to dealer and they could not diagnose the problem. Left it there for 2 days and they still could not find problem. When I stop the car and open the door, then the windows and door locks will operate. When I start driving again, they are "dead"…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 68,100 miles

  4. Transmission

    23 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission.

    My wife's Volkswagen clutch has broken 3 times. Once at 3k, another at 34k and now at 83k; this despite the fact she drives about thirty five miles each way to work on an expressway, and does not sue the clutch that much.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 83,000 miles
    We bought the car everything was fine. Two weeks later the engine light comes on and now the transmission takes off in second gear and will not shift till gets up to 40 MPH. After checking on line it seems Volkswagen is having issues with the transmissions and doing anything about it.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 80,000 miles

  5. Brakes

    23 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, power assist, pedals and linkages.

    Abs and brake warning light started flashing a beeping while car still had more than 50% of original brakes left. No act or event seems to have precipitated the problem. Dealer service department believes that the ABS pump is malfunctioning. Regular application of brakes is unaffected. Unknown whether application of…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 41,000 miles
    2000 super Beetle experiencing problems with the rear brake system.** answer required*** . On 6/26/02 the vehicle's rear pads became seized in the holders on one side of the vehicle. As a result the dealer had to replace the rear rotors and pads at 13524 miles. On 4/15/05 the vehicle was taken back to the dealer…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 29,277 miles

  6. Visibility and wipers

    21 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices, defroster/defogger/hvac system, glass, side/rear.

    - the contact called regarding the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact turned on the heater and it would not turn on. The heater eventually turned on, the blower stopped ,and flames started coming from the heater vents. The failure mileage was 75,800. The fire was put out with a fire extinguisher. There were no…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 75,800 miles
    Turning on heater in window mode will cause windows to fog up in any weather any outside temperature. A search of the internet shows I am not the only 1 with my type of vehicle having this issue. A smell comes into the car that can't be good for your health.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 99,100 miles

  7. Lights

    19 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, hazard flashing warning lights.

    The front lights on both sides go out without warning. I change out the bulbs and they work intermittently. As I was driving over colima road toward whittier, ca on the way home, one light went out and then the other. Colima rd is an unlit road. I don't drive at night. I have spent over 150.00 on mechanics trying to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 55,000 miles
    Was wondering if there is a problem/recall with the new vw beatle. I have a 2000 and I have had to replace the headlights 4-5 times within a year or so. Also I see alot of them on thge highway with one headlight out. Do you have any information inreference to this issue.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 37,000 miles

  8. Speed control

    14 complaints · 5%

    Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, cables, linkages.

    : the contact stated while attempting to stop at 20 MPH, the throttle stuck and the vehicle accelerated. The contact applied the brakes and put the vehicle in neutral. While in neutral the accelerator pedal was tapped and the RPM's returned to normal. The vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 86,000 miles
    2000 new Beetle with its second transmission. I thought these were reliable cars that would be reliable for back and forth to work.. I looks at the forums and find im one of the thousands that has had the same issue. Is this acceptable?
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 117,126 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2000 Volkswagen Beetle recalls

  1. Lights: switch

    NHTSA 06V183000 · May 24, 2006 · 646,246 vehicles

    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.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle?
By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (64 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles); engine (62 complaints, typically around 70,500 miles); electrical (58 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle have?
1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 24, 2006 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2000 a bad year for the Volkswagen Beetle?
It is the 3rd most complained-about Beetle model year since 2000, with 263 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Volkswagen Beetle years

Volkswagen Beetle problems by year