2001 Volkswagen NEW Beetle Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 13%of 39 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2001 Volkswagen NEW Beetle, 13% of the 39 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 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.
“Driving at 65 MPH, engine speed 2200 RPM, vehicle suddenly decelerates to engine speed 1200 RPM (35 MPH). Approx 5-10 seconds later the mil ( check engine ) light comes on solid and the glo-plug lamp blinks. Obd-ii diagnostic code p0226 (throttle position sensor) code was subsequently read. Throttle control may be momentarily regained by turning vehicle ignition off and back on in order to maintain speed (observing care that road is straight so that steering wheel lock does not lock up). …”
NHTSA complaint #10018400, filed 2003-05, 55,000 miles“2001 New Beetle 1.9 l tdi, 55,000 mi.: engine mil light comes on solid and glo-plug light blinks on/off at steady rate (no apparent code to blink rate). Foot throttle control is lost and engine changes from (normal) idle (950 RPM) with foot-throttle ( accelerator ) control to complete loss of foot throttle and steady 1200 RPM engine speed. This may happen at random times during driving or (once) even within seconds after starting engine before vehicle is put in gear or begins moving. Most times, it occurs when vehicle is at speed, causing immediate loss of speed (I.e. …”
NHTSA complaint #10013535, filed 2003-03, 55,000 miles“When stopped at a traffic light and the brakes are being applied, the vehicle suddenly lurches forward. This happens almost daily and sometimes multiple times consecutively. In one instance, the car thrust forward into oncoming traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #750426, filed 2001-08“Epc and check engine lights come on///car loses power......extremely dangerous as most of my drive to work is on freeway...happened 7/4 and 7/5..taken into metro vw 7/5....told ot problems found....happened again 7/9 returned to metro vw/checked/nothing wrong....happened again 7/12/13...eturned to metro vw....throttle replaced....happened again 7/12 7/13 again to metro vw throttle body replaced......happened again 7/30 throttle body replaced.....again 9/10 9/11...control mod. …”
NHTSA complaint #752498, filed 2001-09Vehicle speed control: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Volkswagen NEW Beetle
10 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Volkswagen NEW Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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