Research · 11 model years
Volkswagen New BeetleEvery model year, 1998–2008
Across the 11 model years we’ve synced, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 2,197 owner complaints for the Volkswagen New Beetle. The 2004 model year has the most complaints (361).
Volkswagen New Beetle years compared
Recalls, complaints, NCAP overall and EPA combined MPG per year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | NCAP overall | MPG comb. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 | 60 | 3 | Not rated | 23 | |
| 2007 | 0 | 56 | 2 | Not rated | 23 | |
| 2006 | 0 | 125 | 7 | Not rated | 23 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 261 | 11 | Not rated | 24 | |
| 2004 | 2 | 361 | 7 | Not rated | 24 | |
| 2003 | 0 | 338 | 9 | Not rated | 23 | |
| 2002 | 1 | 187 | 14 | Not rated | 24 | |
| 2001 | 3 | 251 | 16 | Not rated | 24 | |
| 2000 | 2 | 315 | 10 | Not rated | 24 | |
| 1999 | 1 | 213 | 19 | Not rated | 24 | |
| 1998 | 1 | 30 | 2 | Not rated | 28 |
- 20080 recalls · 60 complaints · 23 mpg
- 20070 recalls · 56 complaints · 23 mpg
- 20060 recalls · 125 complaints · 23 mpg
- 20050 recalls · 261 complaints · 24 mpg
- 20042 recalls · 361 complaints · 24 mpg
- 20030 recalls · 338 complaints · 23 mpg
- 20021 recall · 187 complaints · 24 mpg
- 20013 recalls · 251 complaints · 24 mpg
- 20002 recalls · 315 complaints · 24 mpg
- 19991 recall · 213 complaints · 24 mpg
- 19981 recall · 30 complaints · 28 mpg
Data from NHTSA recalls, complaints & NCAP; EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026
NHTSA complaints per model year
Newer years have had less time on the road
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 30 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 315 |
| 2001 | 251 |
| 2002 | 187 |
| 2003 | 338 |
| 2004 | 361 |
| 2005 | 261 |
| 2006 | 125 |
| 2007 | 56 |
| 2008 | 60 |
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026