NHTSA Data Explorer

Volkswagen Beetle

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

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

Complaints

2,813

Active records

Recalls

37

Active records

TSBs

2,500

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

111

Crashes

129

Fires

113

Top reported issues — Volkswagen Beetle

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

889

Condition issue

776

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

661

Reporting mechanism

578

Safety restraint issue

560

Access/entry issue

324

Engine behavior

250

Thermal issue

240

Vibration/harshness

230

Performance issue

220

Lighting behavior

203

Noise

150

Electrical issue

134

Fluid issue

101

Safety restraint behavior

86

Driver assistance issue

83

Braking behavior

79

Starting behavior

61

Smell

54

Powering on/off behavior

43

HVAC behavior

42

Steering behavior

35

Infotainment behavior

33

Recent change

33

Wiper/washer behavior

29

Ride/handling behavior

15

Communication/network issue

4

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

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)

2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Feb 4, 2026


What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The accelerator pedal snapped/broke while driving the vehicle. Yes, it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was not able to control the speed of the vehicle while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, not yet. I am trying to get it scheduled for VW service. Has the…

2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Dec 15, 2025


2 injured
Crash

The contact's son owned a 2005 Volkswagen Beetle Turbocharged. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 60 MPH during early evening hours, he traveled over black ice in the road, which caused the vehicle to spin around several times before crashing into the guardrail and concrete wall several times, striking the front and rear of the vehicle, where it eventually came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire. The front passenger side occupant sustained a…

2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Nov 5, 2025


On October 21st I had a recall performed at Evansville D- Patrick for a 37M2 shift lever micro switch. Today Nov 5th I was leaving work, pulling out of the drive onto highway and once I got on the road the car lost motion and just rolled. Barely made it across the highway. I got across the street into another lot. Turned car off and back on. You can hear the throttle but tires would not move. It would not go into any gear. It wouldn’t even go into park. It would roll no matter what the gear…

2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Nov 5, 2025


I live on Hawaiʻi Island and my 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (VIN [XXX] ) has an open federal airbag safety recall. Volkswagen informed me there is no authorized VW dealer or recall facility on Hawaiʻi Island, and that I must ship my vehicle to Oʻahu at my own expense to complete this federally required safety repair. VW has only offered to reimburse 25% of the inter-island shipping cost, leaving me responsible for the majority of the expense. Because VW does not maintain an authorized…

2017 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Nov 4, 2025


My local dealers still do not have the parts for the recall 24V834. It has been a year since the recall. What am I supposed to do?

2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Nov 3, 2025


The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part had been on back order for 3 months. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Filed Sep 30, 2025


The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that the air bag needed for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called two other dealers, Volkswagen Jackson Service (5320 Interstate 55 North Frontage Rd), and Harper Volkswagen Parts & Service (9901 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922), who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer…

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

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.