2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
0 recalls — 30 complaints — 14 TSBs
No recalls found for this vehicle.
Complaint Statistics
30 total complaints
3 crashes 3 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 |
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Nov 24, 2004
Incident date: Sep 1, 2004
THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR WHEN STARTING FROM A COLD START. IT WAS IN THE SHOP OVER A MONTH, AND IT WAS GIVEN BACK TO ME WITH "WE CAN FIND NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH IT, IT MAY BUCK A BIT, BUT THERE ARE NO SAFETY HAZARDS." LIVE WITH IT BASICALLY. VW THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN OF NO HELP WHATSOEVER IN... Read more
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
Nov 22, 2004
Incident date: Nov 22, 2003
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO COME ON. ON TWELVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, UNDER VARYING BUT RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED BY MYSELF OR MY WIFE, THE WIPERS FAILED TO COME ON WHEN SWITCHED ON. ON FOUR OF THESE OCCASIONS THE RAIN BEGAN TO FALL QUICKLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS A... Read more
EQUIPMENT
Sep 29, 2004
Incident date: Sep 28, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFT... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
Sep 29, 2004
Incident date: Sep 28, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFT... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
Sep 29, 2004
Incident date: Sep 28, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFT... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Sep 29, 2004
Incident date: Sep 28, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFT... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Sep 29, 2004
Incident date: Sep 28, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFT... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Sep 29, 2004
Incident date: Sep 28, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I WANTED TO PULL OVER SINCE THE CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD NEVER SEEN THAT LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE MANUAL AND SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MEANT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFT... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jul 28, 2004
Incident date: Jul 21, 2003
TEXAS LEMON LAW/ TEXAS DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT/ BREACH OF WARRANTY.*MR *CB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 28, 2004
Incident date: Jul 21, 2003
TEXAS LEMON LAW/ TEXAS DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT/ BREACH OF WARRANTY.*MR *CB
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Jun 15, 2004
Incident date: Oct 14, 2003
POWERTRAIN PROBLEMS-- VEHICLE HAS TIPTRONIC. INTERMITTENT FAILURE SHIFTING FROM AUTOMATIC TO TIPTRONIC MANUAL FUNCTIONALITY. IN ADDITION, PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. MULTIPLE SERVICE RELATED COMPLAINTS.*AK
AIR BAGS
Jun 15, 2004
Incident date: Oct 14, 2003
POWERTRAIN PROBLEMS-- VEHICLE HAS TIPTRONIC. INTERMITTENT FAILURE SHIFTING FROM AUTOMATIC TO TIPTRONIC MANUAL FUNCTIONALITY. IN ADDITION, PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. MULTIPLE SERVICE RELATED COMPLAINTS.*AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
May 31, 2004
Incident date: Nov 26, 2003
REFER TO # 10051120 MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY AND THEN JUST STOP IN MID-SWIPE, RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THEN AFTER CLICKING THE SWITCH BACK AND FORTH, I COULD FINALLY GET THEM TO WORK. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT IT COULD BE THE INTERMITTENT WIPER RELAY , ... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
May 31, 2004
Incident date: Apr 3, 2004
FROM SEPT 03 THROUGH APRIL 04, I HAD 5 RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REPLACED AND 2 LEFT HEADLIGHTS REPLACED ON MY 2003 VW NEW BEETLE. NO REASON WAS EVER GIVEN AS TO WHY THEY KEPT FAILING. THE DEALERSHIP JUST KEPT REPLACING THEM. MY SON WAS STOPPED BY THE STATE PATROL ONCE BECAUSE A REAR LIGHT WAS OUT -... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
May 31, 2004
Incident date: Apr 3, 2004
FROM SEPT 03 THROUGH APRIL 04, I HAD 5 RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REPLACED AND 2 LEFT HEADLIGHTS REPLACED ON MY 2003 VW NEW BEETLE. NO REASON WAS EVER GIVEN AS TO WHY THEY KEPT FAILING. THE DEALERSHIP JUST KEPT REPLACING THEM. MY SON WAS STOPPED BY THE STATE PATROL ONCE BECAUSE A REAR LIGHT WAS OUT -... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Apr 23, 2004
Incident date: Apr 22, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT THAT DID NOT LOCK UP. ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES TO THE CHEST AND HEAD.*AK
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Apr 23, 2004
Incident date: Apr 22, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT THAT DID NOT LOCK UP. ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES TO THE CHEST AND HEAD.*AK
Crash
1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Mar 9, 2004
Incident date: Jul 27, 2003
HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Feb 20, 2004
Incident date: Oct 10, 2003
THE CLUTCH ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE FAILED AT 2000 MILES, APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. *AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Feb 18, 2004
Incident date: Jan 13, 2004
WE HAVE A 2002 AND A 2003 VW BEETLE. THE 2002 HAS DOOR LOCKS THAT ONLY LOCK PART OF THE TIME. THE FIRST SEVEN TIMES THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR IT THEY SAID IT WAS AN INTERNAL MALFUNCTION OR THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. ON THE EIGHTH REPAIR ATTEMPT THEY FINALLY DECIDED THAT OUR POWER L... Read more
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
Feb 18, 2004
Incident date: Jan 13, 2004
WE HAVE A 2002 AND A 2003 VW BEETLE. THE 2002 HAS DOOR LOCKS THAT ONLY LOCK PART OF THE TIME. THE FIRST SEVEN TIMES THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR IT THEY SAID IT WAS AN INTERNAL MALFUNCTION OR THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. ON THE EIGHTH REPAIR ATTEMPT THEY FINALLY DECIDED THAT OUR POWER L... Read more
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
Jan 20, 2004
Incident date: Jan 15, 2004
2003 OLKSWAGON NEW BEETLE-THE REAR BUMPER HAD BEEN REMOVED TO REPAIR DAMAGE TO THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE FENDER.ONCE REMOVED IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR PASSANGERS SIDE, FOAM UNDERBUMPER GUARD WAS CRACKED IN 2 PLACES, THE CRACKES WERE FILLED WITH A BLACK STRIP OF STICKY GLUE. THIS IS THE 5MPH IMP... Read more
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Dec 10, 2003
Incident date: Dec 10, 2003
SINCE PURCHASING OUR 2003 VW BEETLE TURBO S WITH HEATED FRONT SEATS, THE SEAT WARMERS GET EXTREMELY HOT ON THE HIGHEST SETTING (#5). IF SET AT A LOWER SETTING, THE SEATS DO NOT GET WARM AT ALL. WE ARE NOTICING THERE IS A CHANGE IN THE LEATHER MATERIAL ON THE SEATS USED. *LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Oct 1, 2003
Incident date: Sep 30, 2003
THE THROTTLE FAILED TO RESPOND IN MY NEW 2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. IT DIDN'T RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS IS SPORADIC AND UNPREDICTABLE IN NATURE. VEHICLE REMAINS AT IDLE EVEN WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY. SOMETIMES IT RESPONDS BY REVVING UP THE ENGINE TOO HI... Read more
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
Sep 3, 2003
Incident date: Sep 3, 2003
POWER STEERING PUMP CONTIUOUSLY RUNS OUT OF FUEL AND THERE IS NO EVEDENCE OF LEAKAGE.*AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Aug 13, 2003
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DRIVER INDICATED THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING PREVIOUSLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND IT FAILED AGAIN ON THE SAME DAY AS THE REPAIR. T... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Aug 1, 2003
Incident date: Aug 1, 2003
CAR WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES, AND I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK!*AK
TIRES
Jul 7, 2003
Incident date: Jun 23, 2003
WHILE DRIVING FRONT LEFT SIDE WALL TIRE BLEW OUT IT CAUSED THE TIRE TO BECOME FLAT. IT CAUSED THE WHEEL TO GO LEFT AND GLANCE OFF THE CONCRETE DIVIDER THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO WHEEL AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *CB.
Crash
1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Jun 2, 2003
Incident date: Feb 20, 2003
TRANSMISSION - INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. OCCURRED BEGINNING THE THIRD WEEK AFTER PURCHASE OF THIS BRAND NEW CAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP - THEY ADJUSTED TRANSMISSION BUT SAID THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT GETS WORSE OR LEAVE IT UNTIL THEY E... Read more
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Feb 25, 2003
Incident date: Jan 20, 2003
AFTER ABOUT 500 MILES DRIVEN THE CAR DEVELOPED NUMEROUS RATTLES AND BUZZING OF THE INTERIOR PIECES. THE WORKMANSHIP INVOLVED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS VEHICLE LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED.*JB
EPA Fuel Economy — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 29.0 | 39.0 | 33.0 | Diesel | $2,450 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 35.0 | 44.0 | 38.0 | Diesel | $2,150 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 20.0 | 27.0 | 23.0 | Regular | $2,600 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 21.0 | 29.0 | 24.0 | Regular | $2,500 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 20.0 | 27.0 | 23.0 | Premium | $3,000 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 21.0 | 28.0 | 24.0 | Premium | $2,900 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 20.0 | 28.0 | 23.0 | Premium | $3,000 |
CO2 Emissions: 308.5 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
Technical Service Bulletins — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE
14 manufacturer communications from 12 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 162000 STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 |
| 162700 STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID | 2 |
| 162900 STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | 1 |
| 181000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| 126000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | 1 |
| 116000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| 125100 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 1 |
| 102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
VH
Jun 1, 2004
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY
VOLKSWAGEN HAS FOUND THAT THE WINDOW CLAMP BOLTS ON SOME 2003 MODEL YEAR NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY BECOME LOOSE. ADDITIONALLY, THE PRESS BUTTON FOR THE CONVERTIBLE TOP AND THE HEADLINING CABLES ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP OF THESE VEH
0412
May 19, 2004
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) ON, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) STORED IN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) MEMORY. *MJ
0409
May 10, 2004
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EVALUATING FUEL MIXTURE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES- HOW TO PERFORM EFFECTIVE DIAGNOSIS RELATED TO FUEL SYSTEM ADAPTATION - SYSTEM TOO RICH/TOO LEAN. VOLKSWAGEN. *MJ
WG
Apr 1, 2004
116000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION COILS. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IF ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION COIL FAILS, ROUGH IDLING OR REDUCED DRIVING POWER COULD OCCUR IN ADDITION TO ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP LIGHT. *TT *MJ
VF
Apr 1, 2004
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY
WINDOW CLAMP BOLTS MAY BECOME LOOSE ON CERTAIN CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES. ADDITIONALLY, THE PRESS BUTTON ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. *TT
VE
Apr 1, 2004
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY
WINDOW CLAMP BOLTS ON CERTAIN CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY BECOME LOOSE. *TT
0401
Feb 17, 2004
125100 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
NEW STYLE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REQUIRES CARE DURING INSTALLATION TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO SWITCH. *TT
0401
Jan 23, 2004
102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
REVERSE GEAR, DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE. *MR
0305
Dec 4, 2003
126000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
FRONT TURN SIGNAL BLINKS TOO FAST. FRONT TURN SIGNAL, REPLACING BULB SOCKET. *TT
0303
Dec 2, 2003
181000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY, INSTALLING REPLACEMENT PART. REPLACEMENT ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY DOES NOT FIT OVER LOWER MOUNTING STUD. *TT
0303
Sep 25, 2003
162900 STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
CONVERTIBLE TOP FRAME, MODIFYING TO NEW ROOF LEADING EDGE TRIM. *TT
0302
Jun 16, 2003
162700 STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
TAILGATE/TRUNK LID HARD TO CLOSE. *TT
0301
Jun 6, 2003
162700 STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
TAILGATE/TRUNK LID HARD TO CLOSE. *TT
0202
Dec 5, 2002
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY
ARMREST, LOOSE, DOES NOT RATCHET CORRECTLY. *TT
VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE — All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE across all model years (1998–2004).
10
Total Recalls
262
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
16
Reported Crashes
6
Reported Fires
3
Reported Deaths