Volkswagen Beetle

Name: 2003 Volkswagen Beetle
Brand: Volkswagen

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability

Overall Reliability

The 2003 Volkswagen Beetle has been recalled 5 times by NHTSA. View Recalls

2003 Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Volkswagen Beetle

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Silvera...

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Chevrolet Silvera...

Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

Ford F-150

Ford Ranger

GMC Sierra 1500

GMC Sierra 2500HD

Honda Accord

Honda CR-V

Honda Civic

Honda Odyssey

Mazda B-Series

Subaru Forester

Toyota 4Runner

Toyota Avalon

Toyota Camry

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Highlander

Toyota Tacoma

Toyota Tundra

Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

See How Other Brands Stack up

12*

Overall Reliability Verdict

POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS

Powertrain

Engine Major

Engine Minor

Engine Cooling

Engine Electrical

Transmission Major

Transmission Minor

Drive System

Fuel System/Emissions

Exhaust

Suspension/Steering

Brakes

Climate System

Build Quality

Electrical Accessories

Body Hardware

Paint/Trim

Noises/Leaks

In-car Electronics

Overall Reliability Verdict

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Potential Trouble Spots

Powertrain

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Engine Major

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Engine Minor

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Engine Cooling

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Engine Electrical

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Transmission Major

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Transmission Minor

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Drive System

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Fuel System/Emissions

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Exhaust

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Show all Powertrain Trouble Spots

Suspension/Steering

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Brakes

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Climate System

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Build Quality

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Electrical Accessories

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Body Hardware

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Paint/Trim

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Noises/Leaks

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Show all Build Quality Trouble Spots

In-car Electronics

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012*

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.

Learn more about car Reliability.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Mar 07, 2014

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Read Recall Details

Summary:

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 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

What should you do:

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.

For more information:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 14E007000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 50

Hide Recall Details

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 07, 2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Read Recall Details

Summary:

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

What should you do:

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.

For more information:

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09E012000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 16270

Hide Recall Details

AIR BAGS

Apr 17, 2008

IN LOW-SEVERITY FRONTAL IMPACTS, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY MORE FORCEFULLY THAN DESIGNED, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO OUT-OF-POSITION FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.

Read Recall Details

Summary:

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM MAY HAVE AIR BAG FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS THAT CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALLBACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS ALWAYS DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS.

What should you do:

DEALERS WILL INSPECT EACH VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SPECIFIC DEFECT CRASH SENSOR IS PRESENT ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE DEFECT CRASH SENSORS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

For more information:

VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. R6.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 08V178000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 76900

Hide Recall Details

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Mar 29, 2007

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Read Recall Details

Summary:

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

What should you do:

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

For more information:

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 07E023000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 13128

Hide Recall Details

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Feb 20, 2007

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

Read Recall Details

Summary:

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

What should you do:

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. 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.

For more information:

VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. N4.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 07V063000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 1002000

Hide Recall Details

Check Vehicle for Unrepaired Recalls

Enter a valid 17-character VIN

Change Vehicle