2000 Volkswagen Beetle
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › Volkswagen › Beetle › 2000
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2000 Volkswagen Beetle. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
7 recalls name the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle. Newest first.
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump…
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Sabersport IS recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
K2 motor IS recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. these headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. the recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.
Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. the recall began on august 1, 2006. owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. the recall began on july 1, 2006. owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
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.
The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
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.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. the recall began on april 3, 2006. owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
Terminal Box above battery has a black wire that get extremely hot and melts in its receptacle in the terminal box. Have replaced the terminal box and that one was also melted within a few days after installation of the new box.
Brake light. *tr
I bought a beetle (136K m) from an acquaintance for $1600 cash there were some issues i.e. The faulty trunk release didnt work, the driver side door had no power, (turns out the door motor IS a common issue beetle has) sunroof was stuck part open, and the key fob to the beetle had been worn/broken. (Fun fact: without the key fob, access to the trunk, and no power to the driver side door. The stock alarm IS very difficult to disable.) we drove the beetle for about a week when the clutch went out. a transmission specialist quoted us $400 for the hydraulic line, after further examination the entire clutch was out (he charged me $1100) the very next day the oil light was blinking, we checked the oil level and it was full. we continued on our business the car started losing power, stalling and making a horrible tapping/knocking sound. the engine light started blinking. we werent able to pull codes because the odb was disconnected during the expensive clutch repair. at this point we have invested a great deal of money into this used vehicle, we are hesitant to to take it to the crusher. we bought a haynes repair manual and after some luck, common sense, and trouble shooting we were able to diagnose the car with a faulty camshaft timing chain tension guide. the repair seemed easy enough so we enlisted a our family mechanic to perform the repair. after another $575 we discovered that the tension guide was in fact the problem. we were able to get the vehicle all put back together with several new vital parts. it will not turn over. the manual indicates it may still be out of time or we may have a blown fuse. after I replace the fuses and reattempt installing the timing chain, I will have put 3 x as much money into this car than its worth. I feel like volkwagen IS producing lemons and ripping off americans!!!
TL* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen beetle. While driving 55 mph, smoke appeared from the rear of the vehicle and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact noticed smoke coming from the rear driver's side area by the tire along with an abnormal odor. The contact stated that the odor smelled like coolant. The contact waited a few minutes and was able to drive the vehicle; however, the failure recurred when the vehicle accelerated between 40 and 60 mph. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Electrical surges...blows fuse block...melts down fuse block. Replaced fuse block above the battery three times since owning the car. Car was being used in the city.
TL* the contact owned a 2000 volkswagen beetle. While driving approximately 40 mph, the driver fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy. The driver exited the vehicle and walked a few yards away from the vehicle when it suddenly exploded without warning. The driver sustained a minor injury that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was totaled and was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that nothing could be done. The contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The vin was not provided.
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 get it fixed. I read on the internet that many are having the same problem. this item should be investigated, and in my opinion should be recalled by the manufacture.
His complaint consists of a 2000 volkswagen beetle, in which it doesn't apply to any warranty whats so ever. whether it's a new vehicle or not. The problem IS with the switchblade programmable type key with remote. volkswagen has known about the problem with these type keys for sometime but has failed the consumers and the government to provide a solution to the problem. they instead take the approach, which profit outweighs the consumers, they put profit before consumers, and safety. These keys produce a ''danger'' to not only the consumers but everyone on the highways around them the safety and marksmanship of the key can break off during use, so if this happens during a crash, the consumer would be unable to turn off the vehicle which again produces an immediate ''danger''. the remote switchblade key IS only secured by a very cheap made plastic. It's very poorly designed and made. if the encasing that holds the key was made out of metal or aluminum this would solve the problem. another problem with the key, IS that volkswagen made the key programmable with a chip, so the key has to be cut down the middle, and programmed, which means the vehicle has to be connected to a computer at the dealership and usually takes about one hour at a cost of $245.00. it's very obvious that the manufacture does this for pure profit, and to deter the consumer from going elsewhere to have such key made. I urge nhtsa to take immediate action to eliminate anyone from being injured or killed. these emails will be kept as proof and for the record that this very ''important and safety issue'' has been sent to you as evidence, for future lawsuits etc concerning this matter. happened while driving. *tr
TL* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen beetle. While driving at a low speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. In addition, the brake warning light illuminated even though the emergency brake was disengaged. The check engine warning light also illuminated intermittently. The contact also stated that the low beam head lamps failed to fully illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was driving this car and just stalled on an intersection and smoke just came out under the hood and I smelled it too, opened the hood and fuse box had melted which IS located on top of battery and fire inside the engine compartment, under the battery has been burning and also melted the wires.
Fuse box on top of battery melted.
TL* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the brake light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the brake light switch and was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
TL* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen beetle. While driving at 15 mph, there was a loud abnormal noise and the vehicle overheated. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing belt and the motor mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
While driving noticed white smoke behind the vehicle, then all electronics failed but car remained running, pulled to side of the road and engine compartment engulfed in flames. the car was quickly on fire from the dash forward. tried calling VW costumer care and there are no recalls on the vehicle pertaining to fire. after searching online found dozens of similar if not exact incidents. this was my daughters car (17) and carried only liability. only reason for writing IS to educate so that others are not facing a life threatning event, as VW denies any wrong doing.
My daughter's car was being driven by my niece on the freeway when the light went on signaling it was over heating so she pulled over to a call box and while she was making the call for assistance she heard a pop pop and the front hood was on fire and a man pulled over and tried to put it out with his extinguisher which didn't work and the whole car went up in flames within a matter of minutes. it was completely burned up which also burned down the call box on the freeway. She had just spent aproximately $1, 400 on repairs on the car which was mainly on the cooling system. *tr
I bought this car for my grandson to drive to work..the guy I bought it from swore it was in excellent shape, that his daughter drove it to school etc......when we got it, I took it to the volkswagen dealer to make sure it was safe for my grandson to drive, they began to find things wrong and the cost was mounting up and up and they even had us take it home only to take it right back because it had no heat (and its very cold here) so they worked on it some more...bottom line IS so far they have charged me 3 times what I paid for it and when I looked it up on line, every thing they did was a recall....my question to you is..how long are the recalls good for and I find it hard to believe the guy was appraised of them or he wouldn't have let his daughter drive it like that ....i have the paperwork right here where it shows 9 recalls and 62 service bulletins...please advise me of my option as I could have bought him a much nicer car for what I have in this!!! thank you so much for your time [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
I've had my beetle since 2005, and the airbag lights continuously come on as well as issues with the transmission. I've taken it to VW once for repair, and they come back on months later. I've read similar complaints from other VW owners concerning the airbag and transmission. I can't understand why this isn't a recall issue particularly since there was a death in 2007 with another owner. The airbag will not deploy when the light IS on. The web page below voices the frustrations of many owners, and I do not understand why these complaints aren't being taken seriously. The repairs cost over $1600. How IS this fair when having to get it repaired every year? Are you protecting VW? Trying to find someone to clear the codes IS difficult because they have to go under the seat to adjust wires and using the computer to clear them, but they come back on a day or two later. Http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2000/volkswagen/beetle/air_bags/problem.aspx. *tr
Cable has completely severed on driver's seat belt receptor. this IS not the result of an accident but just due to use as intended. issue was discovered on examination on 7 november 2014. informed volkswagen of america who declined to repair the problem despite safety implications. informal communication with dealer service department IS that the issue was caused because a plastic sleeve around the two cables at the latching mechanism had slipped down the cable allowing the cable to bend back and forth, eventually causing stress failure. *tr
The fuse box atop the battery melted on 2/18/2009 causing a fire in the engine compartment. Repairs including new fuse box and other damaged parts cost me $1500.00. on 7/15/2011 the fuse box melted causing a/c to stop working. The outside temperature at the time was in the high 90'S during a prolonged heat wave in the north east. Cost to repair $400.00. on 5/18/2014 once again the fuse box melted, cost to repair and replace $700. Two days later the repair (5/20/2014) the car went dead in traffic caused by a drained battery cost of towing $150.00 + new fuse box melted. in checking VW owners forums available on the internet, this IS a common problem and complaint (fuse box melting) in the VW product line. Why hasn't VW been fined and ordered to recall their defective cars? *tr
The steel cable securing the driver side seat belt buckle to the seat cage broke leaving me unprotected in the vehicle. This IS a serious safety issue common to the VW new beetle and cited by owners across model years. Also, the manufacturer complicates what would be an easy fix by attaching the part to the seat cage with fasteners that cannot be removed without a proprietary tool. It's like strong-arm robbery! *tr
TL* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the driver depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle would not stop. The driver forced the gear shift into the park position and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The transmission mechanically failed on 3 june 2013. prior to it failing I had taken the vehicle to three different VW repair shop over a four year period, due to the car suddenly downshifting all the way to first gear. the car will drive normally for about 30 minutes, then start having this downshifting issue, I pull over and let the car cool a few minutes then all IS normal again for a short period of time. of course with the downshifting the tranny tends to overheat quickly. I wanted to get the oil changed in the tranny, but all repair centers said, "it's a sealed system and never needs and oil change;" also the VW repair techs test drove the car and analyzed it, could find nothing wrong. my experience with VW service on everything IS, their mechanics are parts changers only and don't have any real diagnostic capability to find the problem, just replace parts until they fix the problem at the customers expense; I've spent about $10,000 on repairs for a/c, brakes, transmission, etc. finally, the car failed fortunately across the street from a mr. Transmission shop. per mr. Transmission specialist, the tranny failed due to lubrication failure probably from over heating and high mileage; so much for the "never needs an oil change policy." mr. Transmission rebuilt the tranny (out $3400), and state the problem IS electrical not the transmission, and VW IS famous for electrical issues and always have been. Needless to say mr. Transmission has not been able to find the problem, and they have rebuilt the tranny twice just to make sure the problem IS not in the transmission. word to the wise, never buy a VW; I'll never own another one. *tr
I turned on my car and the airbag light turned on. *tr
Engine timing belt prematurely failed at 89,000 mile. VW owners manual supplied with vehicle states that for the 1.8L turbocharged engine, the timing belt did not need to be replaced until 105,000 miles. the failure of the belt caused bent valves. total service bill as a result came to about $4500. loss of power when the belt failed also put my safety at risk as my car was stalled in heavy traffic. *tr
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. *tr
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
By letters dated may 24, 2006 and august 4, 2006, volkswagen (VW) notified the agency that it IS conducting a safety recall (nhtsa 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.
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.
The brake light switch used in new beetle IS also specified in golf and jetta models.one type of switch IS used on cruise equipped models, a second type IS used on non-cruise models.vw reports 86 consumer complaints and 2575 warranty claims of inoperative brake lights, the majority of which are related to the brake switch.two of the VW complaints involve failures that were also reported to odi.additionally, over 100,000 brake switch service components have been sold under 4 different part numbers.the investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis.
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.