Two problems related to o2 sensor have been reported for the 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle based on all problems reported for the 2001 New Beetle.
Almost too many to list O2 sensor at 20k miles - twice temp sensor for cooling fan ($5 part - $200 to install) at 30k miles ignition coils at 50k miles. Vw had initiated a "customer action" on all 1. 8l engines for defective ignition coils on vw and Audi models. Customer service action means nothing, cost me $600 without rental car added. They refused to acknowledge this press release when contacted directly. Water pump went south at 61k miles electronic control module went south at 61k miles also. Warranty covered still cost me $300 for rental car for 5 days. Timing belt damaged when water pump went. Voa will tell you to "check" it at 50k but it should last to 108k. Paid full labor even though engine was apart for pump work. Vw should be forced to honor the quality problems with this car. Nhtsa should investigate and force a recall on the coils, potentially the O2 sensor and definitely the ecm. The repair costs are insane. Ecm on this car is $1300 no labor. Current warranty on new is 60k. Mine went at 61k. 2001 warranty was 10/100 and 8/80. They know they have problems. Car is a lemon, contact lawyer too much hassle - they win again.
While driving my 2001 vw New Beetle the car suddenly lost power and began to shake violently. I immediately slowed down but the car continued to idle very roughly. The esc and check engine lights illuminated. I pulled the car off the highway and turned off the engine. I was able to re-start the engine and drive the car home. I took the car to the dealer and was informed that the O2 sensor and the throttle body had failed and required replacement. The total cost was $1097. 00 and was my responsibility even though the car is a 2001 model with just over 18000 miles on the odometer. A call to the Volkswagen "customer advocate" center proved hopeless as they refused to pay for the repair. I was told that the 2001 vw beetle came with a 2 year 24000 mile warranty. The lack of warranty leads me to believe that vw knew these cars were of substandard quality from the date of manufacturer.