Two problems related to engine exhaust system have been reported for the 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle based on all problems reported for the 2000 New Beetle.
Vw catalytic converter warranty extension. Was 8 years/80k miles. Extended to 10 years/120k miles. I have a 2000 vw New Beetle GLS, which I purchased new in 1999. My model is currently covered under this extended warranty. My car is not passing smog - gross polluter status. Only has 73,000 miles on it. The issue: because the cat converter is not formally listed as a "recall" by vw America, the dealership wants to run a diagnostic (even though I'm providing the detailed paperwork from my smog station), and when the check engine light comes on, they want me to repair any and all issues that arise at a cost to me, before they will replace my catalytic converter under warranty. The problem with this is, the check engine light covers numerous issues the car may be having, including some that may not be related to the car not passing smog. And the check engine light is always on. Dealership turns it off - comes right back on within days. I want the catalytic converter replaced first, then see if it passes smog, then I will repair any other problems. I don't want to put money into problems possibly unrelated to smog, if the catalytic converter won't fix the issue. But per the vw dealership, I cannot proceed without spending money on supposed other problems, because the cat converter was not technically labeled a recall. I wrote the epa - the email I received back from them said they consider it a recall, but because vw America did not send out a formal recall notice on the cat converter, and instead just provided an extended warranty, there's not much that can be done. Dealerships can require a diagnostics run and ask you to pay to fix other problems prior to fixing the cat converter. Vw extended the warranty, so clearly they are aware there is a consistent problem. They should just call it a formal recall (since the epa does), fix the problem they know exists. Currently, I've brought to another dealership. Same issue. Don't have any other choice.
Several problems with car. Worst warranty and service. Dlr difficult to deal with. Poor attitude of service, and poor public relations. I love the car, but it will be the last vw I buy, due to the attitude, service, reliabilty so far,and warranty issues. No safety defect mentioned.