NHTSA Data Explorer

Volkswagen Beetle

Data refreshed October 26, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Volkswagen Beetle.

Complaints

2,859

Active records

Recalls

37

Active records

TSBs

2,534

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

6

Injuries

115

Crashes

132

Fires

114

Top reported issues — Volkswagen Beetle

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

893

Condition issue

813

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

669

Reporting mechanism

597

Safety restraint issue

573

Access/entry issue

328

Engine behavior

253

Thermal issue

241

Vibration/harshness

232

Performance issue

226

Lighting behavior

202

Noise

153

Electrical issue

137

Fluid issue

106

Safety restraint behavior

94

Driver assistance issue

91

Braking behavior

81

Starting behavior

63

Smell

54

HVAC behavior

42

Powering on/off behavior

42

Steering behavior

37

Recent change

36

Infotainment behavior

32

Wiper/washer behavior

29

Ride/handling behavior

15

Communication/network issue

6

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Sep 24, 2026


Component Affected: AIRBAGS: FORE AND AFT INTERIOR OVERHEAD/OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM Description of Safety Defect: I own a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L (Build Date: April 2013). The vehicle is experiencing a permanent Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) failure, indicated by a persistent airbag warning light on the dashboard and an active passenger seatbelt warning chime. A diagnostic scan reveals active fault code B12251B (Passenger Seat Occupant Recognition Sensor Mat -…

2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Sep 24, 2026


Upon pulling into my driveway, the vehicle would not shift into Park. It got stuck in neutral and allows me to turn the vehicle on and off, but will not shift from neutral into park or drive or anything. The shifter is completely stuck, and the manual override button does nothing.

2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Sep 8, 2026


Crash

I was rear ended at a stop light. My car ended up rear ending the car in front of me from the accident, but my airbags did not go off. My car's warning light says my airbag has been deployed even though it did not.

2018 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Sep 5, 2026


I am submitting a formal vehicle safety report regarding a hazardous mechanical reassembly failure involving my 2018 Volkswagen Beetle Coast. On August 14, 2026, the vehicle underwent service evaluation at Stohlman Volkswagen Tysons Corner. Immediately upon exiting the facility, a critical 'Brake Fluid Low' safety alarm and a flashing Red BRAKE Warning Light triggered on my dashboard, creating an emergency safety hazard on the highway.Due to the severity of the braking system malfunction, I was…

2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Sep 3, 2026


The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an air bag failure shortly after the recall repair. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a driver’s side air bag failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Jun 25, 2026


ABS module is defective. This results in numerous warning lights, including abs, traction control, airbags, tire pressure warning, check engine light, epc light, and speed control usability. I have no working abs, seat belt, or traction control, which is a safety issue. There was a previous safety recall for VW with defective abs control modules, 45F2. The problem has been confirmed through an authorized VW repair shop. The part will be made available.

2019 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Jun 3, 2026


The 2019 Volkswagen Final Edition SE Beetle’s rear trunk latch/lock will fail and not open from the outside with the car unlocked and using the key fob due to it being jammed closed. In an emergency situation, there’s no manual way to open the rear hatch, and there are no visible markings showing where the override is to be or what to do to open it up from the inside in an emergency. Further, after reading the owner’s manual, it shows several different ways it can be opened depending on the…

2017 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed May 12, 2026


The rear view camera stopped working (black screen.) I have tried to soft reset the infotainment display unit as well as a hard reset by disconnecting car battery to no avail. The trunk lock mechanism is operational (the rear view camera unit is located in the same unit.)

2019 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Apr 11, 2026


Hello, We have owned this vehicle since new. Today it has 28,945 miles. We started hearing a clunking sound from the front left side. We subsequently stopped and verified the suspension and discovered the broken front right suspension spring. Very disappointing to know that a suspension spring would brake at such low mileage. Our internet search found that we are not the only one with such a significant safety problem.

2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Feb 14, 2026


There was a Recall on my Airbag that was replaced by the VW dealership in Corpus Christi but afterwards I keep getting an error and indicator for the Airbag. I've contacted the dealership multiple times and all they say is it's not covered even if the airbag they replaced is defective.. I originally submitted an issue concerning this on 11-14-2023 and this is the claim number of XXX... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated October 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.