Volkswagen / Beetle / 2001
2001 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Owners have filed 291 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 15.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 15.5%.
Complaints291
Crashes13
Fires17
Injuries10
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 15.8% · 46
Electrical system 15.5% · 45
Air bags 13.7% · 40
Exterior lighting 11.0% · 32
Power train 8.2% · 24
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.2% · 18
Seat belts 3.8% · 11
Engine 3.4% · 10
Severity
Of those complaints, 13 describe a crash, 17 describe a fire, 10 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 12 model years of the Volkswagen Beetle in this data, 2001 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2004 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 15 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 66,430 miles.
In owners' own words
While Beetle driven by my wife it will just shut down!!! It will only crank back on about 30 minutes later! This is very dangerous because it will shut down wherever!!! I already spend 1350.00 Dollars. And not yet fixed! The car has being park outside of my house for las year! And still making payments on it!!!! Dealer will not do anything! Engine and engine cooling
Consumer states while driving across a bridge, one of his engines died leaving him with very little power. He states that this is the second time this has happened to him. He had it repaired under the warranty, but it may happen again, or with other people, which is a high risk for an accident if the auto stops in heavy traffic. Ts Engine and engine cooling
The top of the oil dipstick on my 2001 vw Beetle is apparently very fragile and could come off by itself, possibly lodging itself into another part of the motor and causing a dangerous situation. It disappeared during preventive maintenance at dover Volkswagen, inc. In dover, delaware. They claimed they did not break it. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 119,268 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…