at 19,000 miles
Palmdale, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11324922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 Volkswagen Beetle brake problems
26 of the 373 complaints about the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle are about the braking system — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 61,750 miles.
26
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
19.2%
Service Brakes
5
19.2%
Foundation Components
4
15.4%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3
11.5%
ABS Warning Light
2
7.7%
Master Cylinder
1
3.8%
Pedals AND Linkages
1
3.8%
Vacuum
1
3.8%
Shoes/Linings
1
3.8%
Control Unit/Module
1
3.8%
Brakes across every Volkswagen Beetle year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 100,000 miles
Rochester, NY
Fire
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11101595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10860094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenwood, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
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).
NHTSA complaint #10689767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 miles
Detroit, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10550867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mullins, SC
Crash
3 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO BRAKES PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN GOT HARD COULD NOT PUSH IT WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT HIT 2 TRUCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10445522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,500 miles
Ogden, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED, AS INDICATED BY ITS DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT, WHICH IS ON. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS: FAULTY ABS CONTROLLER/PUMP MODULE, $825 TO REPAIR. VW HAS AN ABS RECALL, #02V031000, WHICH COVERS 2000-2002 NEW BEETLE, GOLF/GTI, JETTA. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED.
NHTSA complaint #10221092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,500 miles
Ogden, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED, AS INDICATED BY ITS DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT, WHICH IS ON. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS: FAULTY ABS CONTROLLER/PUMP MODULE, $825 TO REPAIR. VW HAS AN ABS RECALL, #02V031000, WHICH COVERS 2000-2002 NEW BEETLE, GOLF/GTI, JETTA. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED.
NHTSA complaint #10221092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 miles
Sierra Vista, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS COME ON. BRAKES FILL LIKE THEY'RE APPLYING LEFT THEN RIGHT. BEEPER GOING OFF. RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF VW AND AUDI'S ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND WIND UP HAVING TO PAY $1300 TO $1900.00 FOR A NEW ABS CONTROLLER UNIT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED MY WIFE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND VW SHOULD BE LIABLE TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE UNITS FROM THESE MANY CARS THAT THEY MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10218946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamaica Plain, MA
Crash
1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR, I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF. IT DID NOT GO OFF. THEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO TENSION. THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION AT ALL. I DROVE ALONG SOME GRASSY AREAS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO SLOW THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NO DECELERATING, AND HIT A TREE AT ABOUT 50 MPH. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED. THE CAR WAS SOLD TO A JUNK YARD BECAUSE THE REPAIR COSTS WERE TOO HIGH AND BECAUSE THE REPAIR FACILITY SAID THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10193906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manhattan Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I OWN A 2000 VW NEW BEETLE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH, 2 INSTRUMENT LIGHTS COME AFTER THE CAR HAS STARTED AND REACHES A SPEED OF 15 MPH. THE 2 LIGHTS THAT COME ON HAVE TO DO WITH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VW REPAIR SHOP, THEY HOOKED UP A TESTER TO THE VEHICLES COMPUTER, THE COMPUTER FAULT SAID THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP WAS OUT OF TOLERANCE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THE FAULT, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE APPROX. $1000.00 TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE PUMP. $300.00 LABOR, $700.00 FOR THE PART. WHILE TALKING TO THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER, HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM QUITE OFTEN, NOT ONLY THE BEETLE, BUT ON OTHER VW MODELS. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS YOU MIGHT HAVE HAD FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT I THINK THAT VW OF AMERICA SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF IT. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE NOT HAD THE REPAIR DONE. I AM HOPING THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET VW TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND RESOLVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10157396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 miles
Norfolk, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
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 ABS SYSTEM WOULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10133695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,277 miles
Cicero, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2000 SUPER BEETLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** .*MR 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 BECAUSE OF A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES AND BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY WHEN PRESSED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SLIDERS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WERE STUCK DUE TO A BUILD UP OF SALT/ROAD DEBRIS WHICH CAUSE THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THE PADS AND ROTORS ON BOTH REAR WHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 29277 MILES. ALL THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE FIRST BRAKE REPAIR AND NOW REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MOST RECENT REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10122624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WOULD COME ON, AND CONSUMER WOULD NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10034455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,900 miles
Saint Cloud, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY WORN.
NHTSA complaint #10029740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 miles
Watchung, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE VEHICLES ABS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wyandotte, MI
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THIS IS A QUOTE FROM THE POLICE REPORT (FULL COPY AVAILABLE ON REQUEST) "DRIVER AND ONLY OCCUPANT BUTLER STATED HE ENTERED THE PARKING LOT AND PUT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION OF THE VEH. INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED INTO THE PARKING SPACE, BUT THEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES OF THE VEH. THEY DIDN'T WORK, CAUSING FRONT OF VEH. TO JUMP OVER THE APPROX. 6" HIGH CURB AND COME TO REST HANGING OVER EDGE OF THE RIVER WALL. BUTLER REPORTED HE HAS HAD THE LEASE VEH. FOR APPROX. 3 YEARS AND HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT, BUT NEVER ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES" "AN UNIDENTIFIED MALE WAS SITTING ON THE BACK OF THE VEH. TO KEEP IT FROM TIPPING INTO THE WATER" "BUTLER WAS NOT INJURED BUT HE DIDN'T WANT TO EXIT THE VEH. AS HE REPORTED IT WAS TEETERING BACK AND FORTH BEFORE THE MALE SAT ON THE BACK END" ON REPORTING THE ABOVE TO VOLKSWAGEN, THEIR OFFICIAL RESPONCE THAT I FOUND INSULTING WAS THAT IT WAS "OPERATOR ERROR". I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STICK SHIFT VEHICLE FOR 12 YEARS AND NEVER MISTAKEN THE CLUTCH WITH THE BRAKE, AND AFTER RELUCTANTLY TAKING BACK THE BEETLE I WENT TO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT TO SEE IF IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR ME TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH BY MISTAKE AND FOUND THAT MY RIGHT FOOT WOULD NOT EASILY REACH THE PEDAL AND THEREFORE BEYOND ANY DOUBT DISMISS THE CLAIM OF "OPERATOR ERROR". SINCE THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY AND MINIMAL VEHICLE DAMAGE IT IS NOT FINANCIALLY VIABLE FOR ME TO TAKE LEGAL PROCEEDING, ALTHOUGH 4 MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT I STILL HAVE FLASHBACKS AND BAD DREAMS OF THE NEAR FATAL EVENT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #767697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alameda, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE VERY CLOSE TOGETHER. WHEN WEARING WORKSHOES THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF STEPPING ON THE BRAKE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES BEYOND THE HEIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL. CONSUMER REQUEST THAT DEALER INSTALL A KILL SWITCH ON ACCELERATOR TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8009391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hanover, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE APPLYING BRAKE AT 40 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUE DTHOUGH THE INTERSECTION BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8008886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Creek, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON BRAKE ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE. VEHICLE HAS TO BE SLAMMED INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #8005066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Hempstead, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
PLEASE NOTE SERVICE MANAGER "DERRICK" TOLD ME THAT REAR SHOES WEAR TO QUICKLY ON ALL BEETLE'S, JETTA'S, & PASSET.
NHTSA complaint #752782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richardson, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IN MORNING AND WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED WITH VEHICLE IN REVERSE , PEDAL GOES DIRECTLY TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER HAS ALSO RECENTLY REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND PROBLEMS STILL EXIST, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP SINCE JUNE 11TH. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richardson, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IN MORNING AND WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED WITH VEHICLE IN REVERSE , PEDAL GOES DIRECTLY TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER HAS ALSO RECENTLY REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND PROBLEMS STILL EXIST, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP SINCE JUNE 11TH. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richardson, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IN MORNING AND WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED WITH VEHICLE IN REVERSE , PEDAL GOES DIRECTLY TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK DEALER HAS ALSO RECENTLY REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND PROBLEMS STILL EXIST, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP SINCE JUNE 11TH. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richardson, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE FAILURE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorsville, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #739040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.