Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-48
I have a 2000 New Beetle. It has been back to the dealer one time and that only for the one or two thousand mile checkup. Oil change was supposed to be free and a free wash job. I had to pay for some of the work, but have been afraid to take the car back since and it has 38,000 mile on it now 8/24/05. The check engine light has been on about two years and has created no problem. I would just like to know how to turn it off as it must come on for psychological aggravation. This car was purchase Oct 31, 1999 as is certainly is a pleasure to drive and park. We enjoy it very much, but dread having to take it to the dealer as we know it will be very expensive for them to guess at any of the problems that may not exist. Can we find how to turn off the check engine light.
When I purchased my 2000 "New Beetle" I assumed, being an import car, that it would also require some regular maintenance as well as slightly more expensive repair if required. However, I was also under the impression that Volkswagen was a quality manufacturer, and still held unto some confidence in my purchase.
The car is aesthetically designed. Besides looks, a lot of features lured me to it, such as a very large back window with good visibility, comfortable seating, and compact size. As well as plenty of luxury additions such as fog lights, automatic locks, moon roof, and heated seats among many others usually only found in more expensive vehicles.
It drives stiff and you feel every inch of the road you travel on, but this happens to be something I prefer, others may not.
It does burn oil faster than normal, I was informed of this rather early at least, and simple oil changes more frequently than the average isn't much a problem. I also have to flush the system completely every few months and use higher-grade oil to keep the sludge build-up at a minimum.
At first the price tag seemed like a bargin, but over time I've put more than 3 times the value of the car into constant repairs.
In fact, my car is in the repair shop every month since I've owned it, with repair bills soaring over thousands of dollars. I wouldn't recommend this car for the typical driver. If you're an enthusiast with the money and time to invest in it, it's a wonderful novelty vehicle. For the younger person still trying to pay off college loans like myself, I find it to be a heartache and regret owning it.
Just some of the issues I have had with it:
-The original tires weren't very well designed for icy conditions, and the car tends to slide easily (most likely because of its lesser mass). I had to replace them all fore tires with better treads. I still wouldn't reccomend this car for regions with harsher winters, it doesn't handle very well.
-Battery died twice. Replacing it is a pain, its located in a very difficult area to get to. Also had to replace many elements to find out what was draining the battery so much.
-The Radio console shorted out twice, WV refused to make good on its warranty. The included speakers are of a very low quality with almost no bass sound.
-The hazard switch went, which would disable both my exterior turn signals randomly. There was no way to tell while inside the car that my turn signals were not functioning. Very dangerous.
-My first oil change, the dip stick extension shattered in the employee's hands. It also has leaked oil all over my engine. Poor quality and craftsmanship.
-Another car tapped my bumper at 5mph in a parking space, which left some paint on her own, but cracked mine. Seemed like a typical and simple fix that her insurance was going to cover and I wasn't worried, it was just cosmetic. Her insurance sent me a copy of the bill as proof of payment of my bumper repair, it totalled at $3,000...Ridiculous.
-Various hoses, belts, and joints of the car and engine break spontaneously. About one thing will ware out every month. Unless you're willing to tear apart the plastic cover decorating the engine, its difficult to diagnose anything yourself.
-The air conditioner died only after one year.
-There is almost always air coming through the car, which besides being uncomfortably cold also tends to build a foul oder. All filters are new, all vents closed, the car is cleaned internally every which way possible, and yet no one can figure out the source or cause of the pungent breeze. Its like a Seinfeld episode I once saw.
-The axel had to be replaced after 3 years.
-The boots have been replaced twice for leaking.
-The transmission died.
-The car overheats and stalls for no apparent reason, my repair shop cannot find the issue for this even after about 10 different parts being replaced.
The dashboard lacks a true temperature gauge, instead it has an icon light that simply turns color when it hits some magic number of degrees. Therefore, it's a fair bit too late to react when it finally does set off the alarm. On other occasions the alarm would set off without the engine even being warm yet, or not detect a temperature at all.
-The paint, especially around the handles, is peeling. Paint job discolors and scratches easily.
The car is only 5 years old, and has been repainted twice, and still it begins to degrade.
-The headlights/tail lights burn out every few months. They can be replaced easilly by oneself, but it shouldn't occur that often in the first place.
-In one repair, the airbags were accidently disconnected, the dashboard never indicated this. The mistake was only discovered several months later when a similar repair was done. I'm not wildly confident they work at all, or at least the sensors. In yet another repair, we found out one of my seatbelts weren't properly anchored and would have ripped free had there been a sudden force.
-The heated seats' elements have burned out 3 times, only being used on a moderate temperature.
-The brakes needed to be replaced only after 3 years.
-The gear shaft's lighting goes out sometimes, which in the dark you cannot tell which gear you just adjusted into. Luckily, there is also a digital gauge on the dashboard, but its still annoying and mildly dangerous.
-The brake switch sensor breaks every year. This makes the car get stuck into "park". I've been stuck in drive-through's and had to be towed out with a special truck, extremely embarrassing and scary.
I was told that this is an extremely common problem, but VW wouldn't recall the part nor warranty it for breaking so frequently. I'm constantly getting stranded places from this issue, and repairs only seem temporary.
-The car will sometimes stall out for a moment when reaching high-speeds on the highway, also extremely dangerous.
-The clock and radio sometimes reset themselves with no notable cause. I don't typically use either, but it might be an annoyance for other drivers.
-The driver side key hole, one almost has to jump on the key to make it turn, despite being lubricated to the point its almost dripping. The remote isn't so well made either, and falls apart habitually or plainly doesn't function.
-The rear hatch doesn't open as intended. It will lock again if you do not open it within 3 seconds from pushing the remote button, or interior one. Which means, opening the truck is a 2 person task.
-On occasion the vehicle will not start.
-Interior isn't well made, quite a bit of pieces and parts have just fallen off (seat belt caps for an example), buttons worn, dysfunctional or falling off completely, fabric tearing or otherwise deteriorating, the moon roof's seal isn't that tight and sometimes leaks. The dashboard is gauged, scratched, and beaten from all the replacements on the console.
Minor interior issues:
-fabric picks up dirt, pet fur, etc like flypaper. Very hard to keep clean.
-The large dashboard collects dust and is fairly unusable.
-The built-in beverage holders can maybe hold a Dixie cup, but forget anything else.
-Not enough creative storage use for everyday items.
-side impact airbags built into the seat means you cannot use any seat covers. Although I appreciate the safety feature, I wish they had picked a cleaner fabric to use to make up for this.
At first I thought I might have picked up a lemon, but the more I speak to other owners of not just the new beetle, but other VW cars, the more I find out that its just not a reliable brand.
I wish I could trade or sell this one off, but its just not safe, and currently is nothing more than a lawn ornament. It's a shame really, the beetle truly is a "cute" car, but it's a failing investment.
My advice is to steer clear of it, that is if you can get your drive shift out of "park."
I own a 2001 New Beetle. I have had it for a year now. It was a really cute and fun to drive car. Upon picking the vehicle up, (purchased used) I didn't even get home and the water pump went and engine overheated. After a week of waiting I got it back. 2 days later my check engine light went on. It was fixed and again within 2 weeks it came on again. I had the thermostat replaced.
Within the last year it has been in the shop 7 times due to the check engine light coming on.
Two weeks ago, my passenger window didn't go back up. It cost me $425.00 for parts and labour!
My check engine light came back on a couple of days ago, so back to the shop it goes.
A guy that works next to me, his wife has a 2000 turbo model and the check engine light, constantly comes on.
If you don't mind it being in the shop all the time for electrical issues, it is a fun car.
I own a 2001 turbo Beetle. I originally wanted a Audi TT, but I am very tall at 6 foot 5 inches (nearly 2 meters).
I have had no problems with the vehicle at all. The Traction system (ASR) works good in snow. I purchased it in Florida where that is not an issue and have moved to Michigan. It was in Michigan that I learned to really love the heated seats.
I have had to change the headlights bulbs (nearly 60,000 miles) it was tricky to find out how, but it went very well and I did it in about ten minutes once I knew what I was doing.
I change my own oil. That is an easy operation--however you must access the filter from below. Which means lifting the car somehow. I have used ramps and the low front fairing can be an issue--however this is no surprise for a low car.
All in all--i was sensing some beetle bashing, I just wanted to defend the car. I LOVE MY BEETLE. Please feel free to respond. bikingteacher@yahoo.com.
~Mark.
Which elements were replaced to stop drain on battery? I am experiencing the same problem.
Thanks.
My daughter purchased her dream car for her sixteenth birthday, the 1998 VW Beetle. This dream car has turned into a night mare for a first time car owner. She has had one problem after another. Many of the issues she has had are cited by individuals everywhere I look.
*Paint is wearing badly
*replaced front headlights five times to date
*window problems
*electrical problems galore
What makes the situation worse is she loves the car. She doesn't want to give it up. We are to a point though that her parents, who have to pay for all these repairs, can longer justify spending the money on this vehicle and are going to have to force her to sell it. What an ordeal!!
The battery drain could be either:
The radio is shorting out somewhere (that's what my problem is)
Or an alarm on the car is draining it.
Thanks!
I LOVE my little 2000 VW bug! I have had little problems with it. I bought it with 70,000 miles on it and now have 83,000 on it. Other than replacing a couple of cracked cup holders ($20 each from the VW dealer) and oil changes I have had no problems. I also have manual crank windows, etc. I drive this little gem every day for 50 miles! Runs like a champ! Great Car! YES, the paint is peeling on the inside door handles... little consequence after all I did buy a USED car! She's still my little buggy. She was checked out at a VW dealer and was given a clean bill of health! I did do the 70,000 mile service to keep her going. Timing belt and water pump. I am a very happy owner! I can't believe all these bad reviews. VW's are great! We have a 1989 VW Golf with 250,000 miles on it! Original motor and tranny! Can't complain!
Just an update. I just turned 160,000 miles on my 2000 beetle that I purchased new.
There were Technical Service Bulletins that were issued for these cars that would have resolved most of my problems, but I have so many miles on my car, I didn't qualify for them.
VW recalled both O2 sensors, the mass air flow sensor, and extended the warranty on the catalytic converter to 100,000 miles. This is why your check engine light is coming on.
Mine comes on all the time, but it's not impacting anything and I'm not paying $2,000 for a catalytic converter.
Other than that, this has been the most maintenance free car I've ever owned.
The best headlight bulbs are the $5 ones from walmart. The expensive ones only last a couple of months.
I have been having problems with my battery draining as well. I just bought a new battery three days ago and I try and start my car for work this morning...nothing. My car alarm had also been randomly going off during the day so when I called the dealership about that they said that it was most likely due to a defective door switch on the drivers side door which would be around 300 dollars.
So maybe the battery drain is related to the door switch?
I have had so many problems with this beetle I want to drive it off a cliff. I have a 1964 beetle and never had a problem with it. VW should have stuck to the old style.
I have a 2000 Turbo Beetle which has 90,000 miles. I had problems with the window, but there was a recall a few years ago on that mechanism, so I didn't have to pay anything.
For the engine check light, I was told by the mechanic that is a common problem (when there is nothing wrong) and told me to make sure to use high end gasoline (preferably Chevron with Techron) and make sure to really close the cap tight as that is what causes a lot of it.
For the battery drain, AAA told me that anything plugged in will drain the battery and rear window defrost is the worst... so unplug any chargers when not in use to help save energy (found this out after 3 different trips when I had to get my battery jumped at the airport parking lot.)
Overall, I love my car and have found little tricks thru the years!
Hope that helps some.
I have a 2000 Beetle GLS. Thank God for the comment the owner of the 2000 Turbo Beetle made about checking the gas cap and making sure it's on tight and securely. Here I was ready to go to the VW dealer or another mechanic in the area, fork over major dough, and all I had to do was recheck how the gas attendant put the cap back on. The stall I experience on the highway came right after I'd gotten gas. then the engine light appeared. I didn't know what caused it! Great advice from the 2000 Beetle GLS owner. Thank you.
I have a 2000 Turbo Diesel New Beetle and am the original and only owner. This car from the begining has given me TONS fo all of the above trouble with the interior, (paint peeling, door handles cracked off, excessive staining of seats,) not mentioned, was the adhesive is coming off everywhere. Door panels, headliner all coming off. The engine is tops, after the battery was replaced twice. (CD was draning, I was told so that was replaced too) I heard diesel last 300 to 500 k miles if your lucky, but my interior will NEVER make it that long. Be Careful and forewarned!!!
I have a 2000 New Beetle and it is a piece of CRAP!
As previously mentioned by so many other Beetle owners, I've had problems with the check engine light coming on when there was no problem with the engine at all. A few times, it came on for a few minutes and went off by itself. I've really had problems with the temperature light coming on. Just yesterday, (8/30/08), I filled the reservoir up to the correct level with the super expensive antifreeze that only Volkswagen takes. My wife came home from work this evening and told me the temperature light started blinking red again! How can such a small car drink so much antifreeze?
A few days ago, I was dealing with the same problem and I opened the hood and took the top off the coolant reservoir. All of a sudden, the coolant came right back up to the proper level before my eyes. This car is getting to be a real headache and I regret purchasing it. Does anybody have a solution to this temperature light problem?
I have a 2000 VW Bug. It's a 1.8 turbo and I'm having a LOT of electrical problems.
My car is a manual and I have changed the battery, the starter and the alternator, but still my car won't start without a jump or it will turn off while I'm driving because the battery is drained. Can anyone help??? I love this car and can't afford a new one right now :(
If you can help, please contact me at leene08@tmail.com