Two problems related to car stall have been reported for the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
A huge amount of 2. 0l engines (1998-2006) seem to stall when driving or stationary after 20 min from cold start in high temps (+75f) . Loss of power steering and power assist brakes. It happened to me 2x while driving 45 mph. Scary. Dealers and mechanics can't locate issues because its intermittent. Cars operate normal again after 10-20 mins. . Read more...
Engine quit running while driving at 30 mph. Lost all power including power steering and brakes. Was able to stop car safely. Car would not restart. Dealer reports that ecm is being replaced, but blames problem on an aftermarket k&n air filter that was installed 11 months ago. Informed dealer and vw customer service of the magnussen-moss warranty act of 1982 which makes it a federal offence to not honor a warranty unless the manufacturer offers free filters. Vw is covering ecm under warranty, but is insisting on use of a vw filter at my expense. I consider this to be a serious safety defect and a violation of federal law. The vw reference number for this complaint is #20268678.