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2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe 2.5L 6AT-S

All Volkswagen New Beetle trims (1998–2010) → All Volkswagen New Beetle generations →
2008 Volkswagen New Beetle – front Unverified
Photo: 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle in Salsa Red, Front Left, 06-17-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the New Beetle (1998–2010); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle in Salsa Red, Front Left, 06-17-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE China (10) by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle sedan, rear right, 09-06-2025 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: Armaturenbrett VW New Beetle 20210524 DSC09764 by PantheraLeo1359531, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Coupe 2.5L 6AT-S is a 150-hp 2.5-liter coupe with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It is rated at 23 mpg combined.

It makes 150 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 3750 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (23 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine Type2.5L DOHC 20-valve inline-5
Displacement2.5 L
Horsepower150 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque170 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 20-valve
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission6-speed automatic (AutoStick)
Fuel Economy
City20 MPG
Highway29 MPG
Combined23 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded gasoline

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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: 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle 2-DR. w/SAB
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible w/SAB: overall not rated

Recalls

No recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Volkswagen NEW BEETLE.

60 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2008 Volkswagen NEW BEETLE

Owner Complaints

60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Volkswagen NEW BEETLE (3 mention a crash, 8 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System20
Exterior Lighting14
Structure10
Unknown Or Other8
Air Bags7
Power Train7
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 16, 2025 · Electrical System Fire
“My entire dashboard caught fire due to my a/c controls going out. My a/c dial started smoking before it finally caught fire. My dashboard is now melted where the a/c controls belong.”
Jul 31, 2025 · Structure
“The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH at night, there was an abnormal loud tapping and vibrating sound coming from the rear window glass. The contact…”
Mar 30, 2023 · Electrical System, Seats, Unknown Or Other Fire
“I was driving with my child sitting in the passenger seat and we had the heated seats turned on the setting of 2. After a few minutes she yelled out “My butt is on fire!” She sat up off the seat to…”
Jan 31, 2022 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“My car seems to loose power after its at less than 1/4 of a tank. I cleaned out tank and changed fuel pump but it's still happening and its highly dangerous”
Nov 4, 2021 · Electrical System, Engine Fire
“The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while at a red light, sparks began to emit from the passenger side glove box without warning. The contact immediately shut off 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 2008 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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