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2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe 2.0L 4AT

The 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe 2.0L 4AT is a 115-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 coupe with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It is rated at 24 mpg combined.

It makes 115 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 122 lb-ft of torque at 2600 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine Type2.0L SOHC 8-valve inline-4
Displacement2 L
Horsepower115 hp @ 5,200 rpm
Torque122 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC 8-valve
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission4-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City21 MPG
Highway28 MPG
Combined24 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded gasoline

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle 2-DR. w/SAB
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible w/SAB: overall not rated

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Volkswagen NEW BEETLE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Dec 4, 2003 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TIRE INFORMATION LABEL IS INCORRECT IDENTIFYING THE VEHICLE AS A FIVE-PASSENGER VEHICLE, INSTEAD OF A FOUR-PASSENGER VEHICLE.

Consequence: EXCEEDING THE CORRECT SEATING CAPACITY IN A VEHICLE PUTS OCCUPANTS AT RISK FOR INJURY IN A CRASH, AND CAN RESULT IN VEHICLE OVERLOADING, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND PUT YOU AT RISK FOR A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.

NHTSA campaign 03V508000

Sep 29, 2003 · AIR BAGS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER DETECTION FUNCTION OF THE PASSIVE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) MAY BECOME DISABLED.

Consequence: SHOULD THE PODS CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT WORK AS DESIGNED AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PODS. OWNER NOTIFICATION ORIGINALLY BEGAN OCTOBER 3, 2003. VW HAS DETERMINED THAT ADDITIONAL VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE RECALL FOR THE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.

NHTSA campaign 03V356000

361 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2004 Volkswagen NEW BEETLE

Owner Complaints

361 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Volkswagen NEW BEETLE (7 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train158
Air Bags75
Visibility68
Electrical System47
Engine And Engine Cooling21
Structure18
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 4, 2021 · Power Train, Vehicle Speed Control, Fuel/Propulsion System
“DRIVING MY 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE IS DANGEROUS. THE TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION IN THE 2004 VW BEETLE IS KNOWN BY VOLKSWAGEN TO BE DEFECTIVE. AT ANY POINT THE VALVE BODY CAN FAIL, WHICH CAUSES DELAYED…”
Aug 31, 2020 · Air Bags
“AIR BAG LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF, STARTED AT 33650 MILES, RIGHT AFTER MY MOM SIGNED OVER THE CAR TO ME.”
Jan 8, 2020 · Air Bags
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…”
Oct 15, 2019 · Air Bags
“AIR BAG LIGHTS ON AND SEEMS THE DEALER CANNOT GET PARTS TO FIX ??”
Jul 15, 2019 · Power Train, Electrical System
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BATTERY AND ABS INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND WAS MOVED TO THE…”

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 2004 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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