MYRModel Year Report

2000 Volkswagen Beetle

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2000 Volkswagen Beetle
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
263
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2000

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

1998: 171 complaints 1999: 174 complaints 2000: 263 complaints 2000 263 2001: 203 complaints 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2006: 124 complaints 2007: 56 complaints 2007 2008: 60 complaints 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 93 complaints 2014: 50 complaints 2014 2015: 83 complaints 2016: 47 complaints 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 14 complaints
1998: 171 complaints 1998 1999: 174 complaints 2000: 263 complaints 2000 263 2001: 203 complaints 2002: 165 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2006: 124 complaints 2006 2007: 56 complaints 2008: 60 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 93 complaints 2013 2014: 50 complaints 2015: 83 complaints 2015 2016: 47 complaints 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 14 complaints 2019
1998: 171 complaints 1998 1999: 174 complaints 1999 2000: 263 complaints 2000 263 2001: 203 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2003 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2005 2006: 124 complaints 2006 2007: 56 complaints 2007 2008: 60 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 93 complaints 2013 2014: 50 complaints 2014 2015: 83 complaints 2015 2016: 47 complaints 2016 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2018 2019: 14 complaints 2019

2000: 263 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1998171
1999174
2000263
2001203
2002165
2003314
2004349
2005261
2006124
200756
200860
200933
201030
201265
201393
201450
201583
201647
201715
201817
201914

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

25% · 66 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the driver fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-02

Also filed under Structure

Consumer states that while driving at 55 MPH, the driver side door air bag deployed without any warning. Contacted dealer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-09

Also filed under Structure

While traveling at 5 MPH another vehicle ran into consumer's vehicle going at speed of 45 MPH. Upon impact, driver's side air bag did not deploy. Manufacturer has been contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-07-25

Engine and engine cooling

24% · 63 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Electrical system

23% · 61 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and front underhood.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

My daughter's car was being driven by my niece on the freeway when the light went on signaling it was over heating so she pulled over to a call box and while she was making the call for assistance she heard a pop pop and the front hood was on fire...

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-05-02

The fuse box atop the battery melted on 2/18/2009 causing a fire in the engine compartment. Repairs including new fuse box and other damaged parts cost me $1500.00. On 7/15/2011 the fuse box melted causing a/c to stop working.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-24

Also filed under Engine

Terminal Box above battery has a black wire that get extremely hot and melts in its receptacle in the terminal box. Have replaced the terminal box and that one was also melted within a few days after installation of the new box.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-07-13

Service brakes

10% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-13

Power train

9% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

FIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2000Complaint volume 263 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2002-11-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-08 Brake light switch operation
  3. I
    2003-04-08Engineering analysisClosed 2003-08-20 Brake light switch
  4. I
    2006-02-28Recall queryClosed 2006-08-07 Brake light switch failure
  5. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

    Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-11-27Exterior lighting06V183000 On certain passenger vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions and cruise controls, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly during…

    Remedy: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on November 27, 2006. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2014-05-01Engine and engine cooling14E007000 The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013...

    Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2000 Volkswagen Beetle — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 66 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 63 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 61 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V183000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14E007000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2000 Volkswagen Beetle have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.