Model year record

2000 Volkswagen Beetle

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 374 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V183000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
646,246
Reported to NHTSA
2006-05-24
Owners notified
2006-11-27

Defect description

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 SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.

Safety risk

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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 IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags4335,500 mi
Electrical system3495,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling1768,700 mi
Air bags: frontal1446,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1245,208 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12
Power train: automatic transmission960,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system872,500 mi
Structure: body8135,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls864,000 mi
Air bags: side/window622,000 mi
Engine689,000 mi
Exterior lighting655,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch630,000 mi
Power train695,600 mi
Power train: clutch assembly639,000 mi
Vehicle speed control6117,126 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module529,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition5
Service brakes5100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip532,000 mi
Electrical system: horn441,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash443,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys468,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4
Exterior lighting: headlights437,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Structure: body: door4
Unknown or other4
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery345,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch365,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring350,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers354,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger364,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system325,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control3
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3
Seat belts3133,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic325,900 mi
Suspension386,988 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal386,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control35,100 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system375,800 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior3
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module254,241 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)2110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor261,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2
Power train: manual transmission268,000 mi
Seats2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light282,500 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Structure: body: bumpers2
Tires2110,355 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables2
Visibility2111,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid141,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift138,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1
Fuel system, diesel1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system148,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other163,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch162,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light141,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering186,988 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly112,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion180,000 mi
Structure160,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields128,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Tires: sidewall1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core171,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1

The 1999 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.