Volkswagen Beetle Generation 1 (1997–2005)

Volkswagen Beetle Generation 1 (1997–2005) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Volkswagen Beetle — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 1997–2005 —
Model-year brochures (1)

Model-year reference; equipment varies by market and trim. This is not a VIN build sheet. Browse library

Generation 2 2006–2010 —
Model-year brochures (2)

Model-year reference; equipment varies by market and trim. This is not a VIN build sheet. Browse library

Generation 3 2012–2019 —
Model-year brochures (9)

Model-year reference; equipment varies by market and trim. This is not a VIN build sheet. Browse library

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Beetle

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
VW 2.0L I4 (EA888 & predecessors) 1998–2019 31 models 104
Volkswagen 2.5L 5-cylinder 2006–2014 10 models 103
Volkswagen 1.8L 4-cylinder 1999–2017 15 models 63

Volkswagen Beetle fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Volkswagen Beetle prices by year →

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
1998 8 195 Electrical System, Visibility, Engine And Engine Cooling
1999 7 0 —
2000 7 0 —
2001 8 0 —
2002 8 0 —
2003 5 0 —
2004 6 0 —
2005 6 0 —

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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