NHTSA — Electrical System: Wiring: Front Underhood Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,004 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Volkswagen Beetle electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Comments

problem #4

Jul 202005

Beetle 4-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1. attempted to start vehicle; 2. engine then "exploded" resulting in engine fire and destruction of engine and all underhood components.

- Prescott, AZ, USA

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problem #3

Jan 272003

Beetle 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,517 miles
The coil pack on my 2001 Volkswagen New beetle burned out causing me to practically stall on a very busy freeway. So far, VW doesn't seem to think this a saftey issue yet and will not require a recall on these parts. These coils will burn out. Not if, but when. I would hate to be going up a hill when one of these coil packs go out.

- Milpitas, CA, USA

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problem #2

Dec 062000

Beetle

  • miles
Headlights started browning out on deceleration at 100 miles. Dealer could not verify. At 35,000 miles, headlights flashed all the time. At cold start engine fan would come on, then headlights would dim and fan would run, then headlights would come back normal and fan would stop. This happens at 3 second intervals. Dealer replased grounds and harness. Fan stopped cycling but headlights still dimmed, until one morning the cold light went out and also blew a headlight. Now no dimming and no fan trouble. Dealer replaced headlight bulb and the problem started again. This is a very dangerous situation as the flashing lights mezmorize you when you drive. Problem 2: car will start and die three times, running rough before it will stay running. Dealer says to use 87 octane fuel. Car manual says 93 octane and has used 93 since new. Dealer suggested additives at my cost!!! seems to happen in low temps and at high temps, 70 degrees is ok!. I live in Maine, no such luck.

- Lyman, ME, USA

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problem #1

Dec 062000

Beetle

  • miles
Headlights started browning out on deceleration at 100 miles. Dealer could not verify. At 35,000 miles, headlights flashed all the time. At cold start engine fan would come on, then headlights would dim and fan would run, then headlights would come back normal and fan would stop. This happens at 3 second intervals. Dealer replased grounds and harness. Fan stopped cycling but headlights still dimmed, until one morning the cold light went out and also blew a headlight. Now no dimming and no fan trouble. Dealer replaced headlight bulb and the problem started again. This is a very dangerous situation as the flashing lights mezmorize you when you drive. Problem 2: car will start and die three times, running rough before it will stay running. Dealer says to use 87 octane fuel. Car manual says 93 octane and has used 93 since new. Dealer suggested additives at my cost!!! seems to happen in low temps and at high temps, 70 degrees is ok!. I live in Maine, no such luck.

- Lyman, ME, USA

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