Volkswagen / Beetle / 2000
2000 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Owners have filed 373 complaints about the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle with NHTSA. Air bags account for 18.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 17.4%.
Complaints373
Crashes12
Fires24
Injuries21
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Air bags 18.8% · 70
Engine and engine cooling 17.4% · 65
Electrical system 17.2% · 64
Power train 6.4% · 24
Visibility 5.9% · 22
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.1% · 19
Exterior lighting 5.1% · 19
Structure 4.8% · 18
Severity
Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 24 describe a fire, 21 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 12 model years of the Volkswagen Beetle in this data, 2000 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2004 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 17 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 68,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Driver's side side impact-airbag deployed for no reason as I was driving down a freeway. Volkswagen theorized that road debris penetrated the floorboard causing the sensor to go off. How thin is the floorboard that a rock or piece of road debris could penetrate it? And why does that throw off the sensor for a side airbag? Volkswagen refused to reimburse me for towing, repairs, or my arm injury. *Nlm Air bags · reported at 21,000 miles
For the fifth time in 10 years, the airbag warning light has come on in my 2000 Volkswagen new Beetle (less than 50,000 miles and never in a crash). According to manufacturer when the airbag warning light is on the airbags are deactivated providing no protection in the event of a crash. Dealer has twice previously replaced driver side airbag harness and recommends doing so again. Air bags · reported at 49,000 miles
Air bag dashboard light lit at 24,635 miles. Repair made by dealer 2/9/05 for $308 labor and $44.76 Part (small cable under driver's seat). Text on dealer work order: "found the d/s airbag assm. To have a fault in the connector of harness. Removed seat assm and replaced harness. Seat airbag codes. T/drive to confirm repair." At 35,500 air bag dashboard light has lit again. Air bags · reported at 35,500 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…