Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Dec 2, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 263 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming driver-assistance
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 2, 2018
I BOUGHT A BEETLE (136K M) FROM AN ACQUAINTANCE FOR $1600 CASH THERE WERE SOME ISSUES I.E. THE FAULTY TRUNK RELEASE DIDNT WORK, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAD NO POWER, (TURNS OUT THE DOOR MOTOR IS A COMMON ISSUE BEETLE HAS) SUNROOF WAS STUCK PART OPEN, AND THE KEY FOB TO THE BEETLE HAD BEEN WORN/BROKEN. (FUN FACT: WITHOUT THE KEY FOB, ACCESS TO THE TRUNK, AND NO POWER TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE STOCK ALARM IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DISABLE.) WE DROVE THE BEETLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHEN THE CLUTCH WENT OUT. A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST QUOTED US $400 FOR THE HYDRAULIC LINE, AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION THE ENTIRE CLUTCH WAS OUT (HE CHARGED ME $1100) THE VERY NEXT DAY THE OIL LIGHT WAS BLINKING, WE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND IT WAS FULL. WE CONTINUED ON OUR BUSINESS THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER, STALLING AND MAKING A HORRIBLE TAPPING/KNOCKING SOUND. THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. WE WERENT ABLE TO PULL CODES BECAUSE THE ODB WAS DISCONNECTED DURING THE EXPENSIVE CLUTCH REPAIR. AT THIS POINT WE HAVE INVESTED A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY INTO THIS USED VEHICLE, WE ARE HESITANT TO TO TAKE IT TO THE CRUSHER. WE BOUGHT A HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL AND AFTER SOME LUCK, COMMON SENSE, AND TROUBLE SHOOTING WE WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR WITH A FAULTY CAMSHAFT TIMING CHAIN TENSION GUIDE. THE REPAIR SEEMED EASY ENOUGH SO WE ENLISTED A OUR FAMILY MECHANIC TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. AFTER ANOTHER $575 WE DISCOVERED THAT THE TENSION GUIDE WAS IN FACT THE PROBLEM. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE ALL PUT BACK TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL NEW VITAL PARTS. IT WILL NOT TURN OVER. THE MANUAL INDICATES IT MAY STILL BE OUT OF TIME OR WE MAY HAVE A BLOWN FUSE. AFTER I REPLACE THE FUSES AND REATTEMPT INSTALLING THE TIMING CHAIN, I WILL HAVE PUT 3 X AS MUCH MONEY INTO THIS CAR THAN ITS WORTH. I FEEL LIKE VOLKWAGEN IS PRODUCING LEMONS AND RIPPING OFF AMERICANS!!!
NHTSA ID
11155433
Incident
Aug 25, 2018
Mileage
136,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 23, 2015
FUSE BOX ON TOP OF BATTERY MELTED.
NHTSA ID
10812006
Incident
Dec 23, 2015
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 22, 2011
I JUST BOUGHT A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE, AND MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO MORE THAN ONE LOCATION INCLUDING THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND EVERYONE IS TELLING ME THE CODE READ GEAR RATIO INCORRECT. MY CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TOO DRIVE THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION I NEED IS 5000 AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY THAT THEY COULD OFFER ME. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR I DON'T HAVE 5000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH ABOUT THIS SITUATION AND EVERYONE IS SAYING THE SAME EXACT THING IM COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW FAST BEETLES TRANSMISSION GO OUT AND HALF OF THEM TOOK THERE BEETLE TO VOLKSWAGEN JUST FOR THEM TO TELL THEM THEY NEED 5000 TO 7000 TRANSMISSION AND LATER FIND OUT THAT WAS JOT EVEN THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS STILL DRIVING VERY RECKLESS. I'M PUTTING MY LIFE N DANGER EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR I HAVE TWO JOBS AND I CANT AFFORD TO MISS ONE DAY. SO U TELL ME MISS DAYS FROM WORK BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE SAFE TRANSPORTATION OR DRIVE THE CAR I HAVE N REST MY LIFE EVERYDAY. I NEED SOMEONE TO HEAR ME OUT AND HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION. I'M SORRY TO SAY I WILL KEEP COMPLAINING INTEL SOMEONE GETS TO BOTTOM OF THIS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10436818
Incident
Nov 16, 2011
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 1, 2011
TRANSMISSION FAILURE- VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED HARD AND WOULD NOT COME OUT OF 1ST GEAR DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING REAR END COLLISION. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND TURNING VEHICLE BACK ON IT PROCEEDED FOR ABOUT 5 MILES BEFORE DOING THE SAME. CAR WAS TOWED AND TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME. RECENTLY TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC THAT WAS AT A STAND STILL THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED HARD CAUSING THE CAR BEHIND ME TO SLAM ON HIS BRAKES CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BEHIND ME. *TR
NHTSA ID
10428133
Incident
Nov 12, 2009
Mileage
129,226 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 6, 2010
2000 NEW BEETLE WITH ITS SECOND TRANSMISSION. I THOUGHT THESE WERE RELIABLE CARS THAT WOULD BE RELIABLE FOR BACK AND FORTH TO WORK.. I LOOKS AT THE FORUMS AND FIND IM ONE OF THE THOUSANDS THAT HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IS THIS ACCEPTABLE? *TR
NHTSA ID
10347877
Incident
Aug 3, 2010
Mileage
117,126 mi
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 21, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported
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 ID
10193906
Incident
Apr 24, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 31, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT 20 MPH, THE THROTTLE STUCK AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. WHILE IN NEUTRAL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS TAPPED AND THE RPM'S RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA ID
10167137
Incident
Aug 31, 2006
Mileage
86,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 21, 2005
THE CONSUMER STATES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. NO IMPACT REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA ID
10108578
Incident
Dec 29, 2004
Mileage
49,600 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 16, 2004
DURING CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION, CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES, THEN REENGAGES WHEN VEHICLE STRIKES A RIDGE OR HOLE IN THE ROAD. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO REENGAGE WHEN PASSING THROUGH CASUAL WATER ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK
NHTSA ID
10066308
Incident
May 9, 2000
Mileage
5,100 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 7, 2002
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. *TT
NHTSA ID
8009391
Incident
Nov 15, 2001
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 6, 2002
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. *AK
NHTSA ID
8005066
AirbagsBody & structureHeating & air conditioning+6 more
Filed Oct 10, 2001
CONSUMER STATEED THAT RIGHT REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LOOSE.*JB
NHTSA ID
563672
Incident
Jun 19, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 25, 2000
PROBLEM WITH THE 'ENGINE CHECK LIGHT'. FIRST CAME ON AT ABOUT 3K MILES. DEALER SPENT FOUR HOURS AND MADE A COMMENT ABOUT THE FAULT CODE BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THE IDLE SPEED (YEAH RIGHT). THEY FOOLED WITH IT , RESET THE COMPUTER AND SENT ME AWAY. NOW IT'S BACK ON AGAIN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE LIGHT GOES OUT BUT THEN RE-APPEARS AGAIN. IT'S BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN. IF ANYONE HAS AN ABSOLUTE SOLUTION, I'D LOVE TO KNOW SO I CAN TELL THE DEALER WHAT TO LOOK FOR. *AK
NHTSA ID
735091
Incident
Sep 15, 2000
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 1, 2000
WHILE DRIVING AT 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN REGARDLESS OF BRAKING BY THE DRIVER. OIL PAN FAILURE WAS FOUND OUT TO BE THE CAUSE. *YH
NHTSA ID
869340
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 10, 2000
WHEN ACCELERATING NOTHING HAPPENS AT AN INTERSECTION. CONSUMER FEELS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK
NHTSA ID
865112
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 7, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ON SERVICE ROAD STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT, LIFTED FOOT OFF THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP.*AK
NHTSA ID
864999
Incident
Jun 25, 2000
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own