2003 Volkswagen New Beetle consumer reviews

I bought a 2003 New Beetle GLX and it's been an absolute nightmare to own! Constant problems/issues...electrical,mechanical, cooling..etc..etc. I had as many problems with the VW service dept as well....very expensive, had to return multiple times for the same issue, incompetent work, etc. I will never buy a VW product again! Avoid at all costs!

I have the 2003 GLX. The turbo is a blast to drive, and the matching leather interior is great. The car has it's quirks, mostly dealing with the lights on the car. One of the rear brake lights keeps going out, even after replacing the needed brake switch with the improved one. I've replaced a headlight and turn signal as well. As far as problems go, these are minor to deal with. The traction control does well in ice and snow, and the sound system is good too.

My wife had to have a beetle. At first seemed ok but did not get very good milage for small 4 cyl car. 22 to 23 miles to the gallon with the 1.8 Turbo engine. First the coil went out and VW said to replace all four ( one per cyl on this car). If you follow up on VW notices you will see that VW eventually went back to only replacing bad one since they depleted the entire stock of coils. Bad design but no recall. To replace the left front light bulb you have to remove the battery - if VW does this it is over $100 - to change a bulb! At 88K the timing belt went and this has an interference engine so that is $4k min to repair. Oh did I mention that you are suppose to replace at 105K per the manual! Once again do searches and you will see the 1.8T in VW & Audi's have major prolbems in this area. Bad design and a company that does not stand behind their product - well if they do it is way behind! Never Again - VW goes on my do not buy list with GM - perhaps I need to stay away from those 2 intial autos.

Oh, this car broke my heart. I wanted it so badly - it was PERFECT. It was cute, and it had a turbo engine that had lots of pep, and it was convertible, did I mention that? And it was so much fun to drive and the seats were high enough that I could get in and out without hurting my bad knees. And it just made me smile. And I just loved it. And it has been such a disappointment ... so many trips to the dealer, so many broken things, so many $$$ spent in after-the-warranty-ran-out repairs. I have finally faced the fact that this car has broken my heart. I just can't look at it and smile anymore. To be fair, most of the problems have been with the electrical system and various broken pieces and parts, and NOT with the engine or transmission. It has never left me stranded on the side of the road. (Although there have been many times when I either couldnt' get the windows to close or sometimes I couldn't get them to open) It's a low-mileage '03, soon to be replaced with a car that will be less expensive to keep ... <sniff>

Since I bought this car new I have had nothing but trouble. Fuel injection went out ($3,000), although I was using 99% biodiesel which should have not affected gaskets (viton) put in the 2003 model, I was told by the mechanic that the fuel injection in my 2003 was actually for a 2002 model(saved VW some money but cost me a bundle). Today, the alternator/power steering belt falls off. Apparently the pulley on the alternator broke! Who ever heard of a belt pulley braking on a 5 year old car. The supplier said they sell these pulleys all the time. It's going to cost me $541 to replace it (takes 4 hours of mechanic time). These are lemon cars. I am sorry I ever bought one.

We bought the New Beetle Convertible as a fun run around kind of car. It is primarily used by an older daughter (21) who has experienced nothing but trouble. Roomy with lots of extras. With the top up, the ride is loud. Break light, air bag light and window problems have occured more than once. The guides for the convertible have broken several times. Rear window was loose and replaced...can't wait for the cost of repairs now that we're out of warranty.

the greatest vehicle in the 20 plus that we have owned including the new 69' Mach 1. The second best was the 69' model 99 Saab that was a thrill after driving the Mach 1 in the snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!How many more characters until I meet the 100 minium needed?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! George

This is gotta be one of my favorite cars. Its not a sports car but it has great get up and go, its fits anywhere and its very uinque. It gets great gas mileage and when the seats folded flat I fit an entire sears shop box in the car!!!! The salesman though i was kidding but it fit all four levels of it in the car. Maintainance is cheap to. My old ford cost more to maintain and repair then my beetle. Go figure? Anyways best investment I ever made!