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Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2002 Volkswagen NEW Beetle Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
20%of 15 total for the year
Median mileage
10,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 Volkswagen NEW Beetle, 20% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 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.

“The transmission in my 2002 New Beetle fails to engage for a second or two after the car has been sitting for a while. Doesn't do it at other times, only when the car has been sitting an hour or more. Dealership replaced transmission module twice (two different dealerships) and the third and fourth time I brought it in with the same complaint, they said it was normal for the transmission to behave this way. Inherent to the design of the transmission was this small delay for emissions reasons. I am not buying it, not with all the other issues I have had with this car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10100587, filed 2004-11, 10,000 miles

“I bought my New Beetle brand new in august 2001. The day after I brought it home (over 2 hours away), the check engine light came on. I called the dealer and they said it didn't mean anything unless it was flashing so I thought nothing of it. 2 months later my ABS went out while I was an hour from my house and it had to be towed and replaced. The windows continually go up and down by themself but the dealer can't fix it. I took my car back to the dealer yesterday because it was leaking brake fluid and told them again about the cel light. …”

NHTSA complaint #769375, filed 2002-11

“Driving down the highway at 65 MPH my closed sunroof shattered into a million pieces. It sounded like someone fired a gun, and then glass went everywhere.”

NHTSA complaint #10039153, filed 2003-09

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2004650%
2003315%
2002320%
200138%
200025%
199939%
1998723%

Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen NEW Beetle

Transmission and drivetrain
8 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Electrical system
3 complaints
Engine cooling
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Interior lighting
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Seats
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 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