Model year
2003 Volkswagen Beetle
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 314 complaints for the 2003 Volkswagen Beetle (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (80), POWER TRAIN (52), AIR BAGS (44). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 22–38 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,500–$3,750, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 263 complaints
- 2001 203 complaints
- 2002 165 complaints
- 2003 314 complaints
- 2004 349 complaints
- 2005 261 complaints
- 2006 124 complaints
- 2007 56 complaints
- 2008 60 complaints
- 2009 33 complaints
- 2010 30 complaints
- 2012 65 complaints
- 2013 93 complaints
- 2014 50 complaints
- 2015 83 complaints
- 2016 48 complaints
- 2017 15 complaints
- 2018 17 complaints
- 2019 14 complaints
Recalls
08V178000 · Apr 17, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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…
07V063000 · Feb 20, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Complaints
314 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 7, fire flag on 7, injury field 6, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE08012 | FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE | Feb 15, 2008 | Apr 24, 2008 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Beetle Convertible · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| New Beetle Convertible · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| New Beetle · 1.9L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 29 | 39 | 33 | — | — | $2,900 |
| New Beetle · 1.9L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 35 | 44 | 38 | — | — | $2,500 |
| New Beetle · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| New Beetle · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| New Beetle Convertible · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| New Beetle Convertible · 1.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| New Beetle · 1.8L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| New Beetle · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| New Beetle · 1.8L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Volkswagen Beetle at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.