2003 Volkswagen Beetle Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 2%of 314 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,262miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, 2% of the 314 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,262 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving in the rain my car seemed to have lost traction on the road and I lost control but did not hit anything. The indicator light illuminated the a with the circle around it. I took it to the shop and I was informed that my ABS control unit was completely fried. So now I have to pay almost $2000 to get it fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10361140, filed 2010-10, 87,892 miles“On april 25, 2008 we took our 2003 vw Beetle convertible to our vw dealer for service and a complaint about the transmission shifting hard or clunking at times. They said the noise was the exhaust and adjusted it and signed off. That was not the problem. The hard shifting continued occasionally for some time. Then it started to happen more often and be more severe. On october 23, 2009, we returned to our dealer for service and told them again about our concerns about the hard shifting as we had on several occasions in the past. At this time they ran a diagnostic ($90.00) on the transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #10403531, filed 2011-05, 73,525 miles“The rear window of the convertible top has come unglued. After checking online sources, I have found this has happened on other cars. It can cause the entire rear window blow out if all of the adhesive gives way.”
NHTSA complaint #11054489, filed 2017-12, 69,000 miles“My car has a very,very stong crayon-chemical smell..that permeates the entire interior of the car. No one, I repeat, no one will ride with me in my car unless I drive with the windows down. I complained about to the vw dealership (leith vw/capitol blvd. Raleigh,nc)- and was told by a technician that they have had this complaint before and the problem seemed to be the the glue used to hold down the padding/carpet . …”
NHTSA complaint #11004977, filed 2017-07“Its a recall of the water pump and I'm having issues with my cooling ,my car is running hot have had everything done except the water pump and still running hot just found out that its a recall on the water pump if there is other recall can it be done also”
NHTSA complaint #10882430, filed 2016-07Related service bulletins
- 10249138Jan 9, 2024Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.
- 10167177Oct 31, 2019The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10213862Jan 29, 2016Coding the Replacement Instrument Cluster.
- 10239210Dec 8, 2014Quick Reference Update Guide
- 10253215Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10241310Mar 18, 2014Software Version Management
- 10253214Mar 8, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239789Jan 24, 2014To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine…
- 10240605Oct 15, 2013P0102, P1128, P1296 - WA front oxygen sensor faults
- 10242404May 13, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 14% |
| 2018 | 4 | 24% |
| 2017 | 5 | 33% |
| 2016 | 5 | 10% |
| 2015 | 13 | 16% |
| 2014 | 4 | 8% |
| 2013 | 12 | 13% |
| 2012 | 6 | 9% |
| 2010 | 5 | 17% |
| 2009 | 4 | 12% |
| 2008 | 8 | 13% |
| 2007 | 5 | 9% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 12 | 3% |
| 2003 | 7 | 2% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 6 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen Beetle
134 complaintsAir bags
60 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
56 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Volkswagen Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology