2001 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe 1.8L Turbo 4AT
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle in Salsa Red, Front Left, 06-17-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE China (10) by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle sedan, rear right, 09-06-2025 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Armaturenbrett VW New Beetle 20210524 DSC09764 by PantheraLeo1359531, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe 1.8L Turbo 4AT is a 150-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-4 coupe with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It is rated at 22 mpg combined.
It makes 150 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 162 lb-ft of torque at 2200 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Coupe |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 1.8L DOHC 20-valve turbocharged inline-4 |
| Displacement | 1.8 L |
| Horsepower | 150 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft @ 2200 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 20-valve |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 20 MPG |
| Highway | 26 MPG |
| Combined | 22 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium unleaded gasoline |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe 1.8L Turbo 4AT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Volkswagen NEW BEETLE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jul 25, 2003 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA campaign 03V265000
Sep 12, 2002 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA campaign 02V244000
Jan 31, 2002 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA campaign 02V031000
251 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2001 Volkswagen NEW BEETLE
Owner Complaints
251 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Volkswagen NEW BEETLE (17 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 13 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 55 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 48 |
| Air Bags | 43 |
| Exterior Lighting | 34 |
| Service Brakes | 31 |
| Hydraulic | 26 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2001 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.