2003 Volkswagen Beetle
US · Minicompact Cars
The 2003 Volkswagen Beetle is listed in the US market. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.
- Engine
- Varies by configuration: 1.8L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 1.9L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 2.0L 4-cylinder
- Transmission
- Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Fuel
- Varies by configuration: Gasoline, Diesel
- Economy
- 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) to 38 mpg (6.2 L/100 km) combined
Key Figures
Engine
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Varies by configuration: 1.8L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 1.9L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 2.0L 4-cylinder | |
| Displacement | 1.8 L to 2.0 L | |
| Cylinders | 4 | |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged | |
| Fuel type | Varies by configuration: Gasoline, Diesel | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Transmission and drivetrain
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual | |
| Gears | 4 to 6 | |
| Drivetrain | FWD | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Fuel economy and range
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Combined | 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) to 38 mpg (6.2 L/100 km) | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| City | 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) to 35 mpg (6.7 L/100 km) | |
| Highway | 26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km) to 44 mpg (5.3 L/100 km) |
Our sources do not publish these for this vehicle: Power, Torque, Electric range, Battery capacity. We leave them out instead of estimating.
Trims and configurations
11 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.
- New Beetle · 1.8L · FWD · 4-speed automatic
- New Beetle · 1.8L · FWD · 5-speed manual
- New Beetle · 1.8L · FWD · 6-speed manual
- New Beetle · 1.9L · FWD · 4-speed automatic · Diesel
- New Beetle · 1.9L · FWD · 5-speed manual · Diesel
- New Beetle · 2.0L · FWD · 4-speed automatic
- New Beetle · 2.0L · FWD · 5-speed manual
- New Beetle Convertible · 1.8L · FWD · 5-speed manual
- New Beetle Convertible · 1.8L · FWD · 6-speed automatic
- New Beetle Convertible · 2.0L · FWD · 5-speed manual
- New Beetle Convertible · 2.0L · FWD · 6-speed automatic
Recalls
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked November 4, 2026.
14E007000: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement…
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Reported March 7, 2014. View on NHTSA
09E012000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Reported April 7, 2009. View on NHTSA
08V178000: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM MAY HAVE AIR BAG FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS THAT CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALLBACK ALGORITHM…
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT EACH VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SPECIFIC DEFECT CRASH SENSOR IS PRESENT ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE DEFECT CRASH SENSORS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR…
Reported April 17, 2008. View on NHTSA
07E023000: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Reported March 29, 2007. View on NHTSA
07V063000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL…
Reported February 20, 2007. View on NHTSA
Data sources
- NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 18, 2026 · US Government public data
- EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved November 9, 2026 · US Government public data
Source checked: November 9, 2026
Data verified: November 9, 2026
Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.
Related vehicles
- 2002 Volkswagen Beetle
Varies by configuration: Gasoline, Diesel
Varies by configuration: 1.8L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 1.9L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 2.0L 4-cylinder · FWD
38 mpg (6.2 L/100 km) to 23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km) - 2004 Volkswagen Beetle
Varies by configuration: Gasoline, Diesel
Varies by configuration: 1.8L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 2.0L 4-cylinder, 1.9L 4-cylinder turbocharged · FWD
36 mpg (6.5 L/100 km) to 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km)
Frequently asked questions
What engine does the 2003 Volkswagen Beetle have?
Varies by configuration: 1.8L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 1.9L 4-cylinder turbocharged, 2.0L 4-cylinder. Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.
What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Volkswagen Beetle?
Combined fuel economy is 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) to 38 mpg (6.2 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.
Is the 2003 Volkswagen Beetle front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?
Drivetrain: FWD.
Are there recalls for the 2003 Volkswagen Beetle?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked November 4, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.