2001 Volkswagen Beetle GLX from North America - Comments

I bought this 2001 Beetle for my wife this past September. After the first couple of days we noticed a strong odor coming out of the vents. We turned the recirculation switch off and this still has not helped. We have tried sprays that you spray in to the air intake to kill mold and odors and this still has not helped. Fe-breeze and air fresheners only cover up so much, but the smell is still there and it gets on your clothes. I contacted VW through their website and was told that I needed to contact my dealer. But by looking at different websites, I see a lot of other VW owners are having the same problem.

You need the Air-Sept treatment. The dealer will need the car over night. Hopefully it will solve the defect. You might want to check the price on the service, before you sign the workorder.

I have a 2001 1.8T beetle. Since I bought it (new) there has been a slight odor from the a/c, kind of like an burning oil smell. While it hasn't bothered me, my mom finds it really offensive. I thought it was because of the synthetic leather seats, but now I think that it is not.

Just wanted to add this. I don't think it is a mold related smell, and I live in south florida.

I also bought a 2001 beetle, and have the same crayon/burnt oil smell. I wouldn't be "bugged" if I were sure it was not harmful. It stays on my skin & hair the rest of the day. I don't want to get rid of the car because I love everything else about it. Anyone know what it could be?

I just bought a 2001 Beetle, and noticed a oily/crayon smell which would get on my skin & hair. I took it to a German car specialist, and he informed me that whoever had changed my oil before didn't do it correctly. The filter in these cars is tilted and if you don't put about 4 rags to catch the old oil when you take the old filter off it runs onto a hose with foam around it. The foam was completely saturated with oil which in turn was burning off into my vents. Also, there are two rubber things (gaskets?) in between the hood and the engine that seal off the vents when the hood closes. Mine were completely missing. Had it all cleaned and those rubber things installed, and the it has cured the problem! Praise God!