Major Problems with Volkswagen Beetle Derived from Complaints & Recalls
Learn about the common problems with a used Volkswagen Beetle to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.
What is FlawScore? How we rank cars
Best and Worst Years for Volkswagen Beetle
Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Volkswagen Beetle.
| Model Year | Complaints |
| 2019 Beetle |
2
|
| 2018 Beetle |
3
|
| 2017 Beetle |
3
|
| 2016 Beetle |
7
|
| 2015 Beetle |
31
|
| 2014 Beetle |
28
|
| 2013 Beetle |
41
|
| 2012 Beetle |
46
|
Worst 3 Volkswagen Beetle complaints
2014 Volkswagen Beetle
ENGINE
Victims: 2
Mileage: 22000 miles
2014 Volkswagen Beetle
STRUCTURE
Victims: 1
2015 Volkswagen Beetle
AIR BAGS
Victims: 1
Mileage: 4300 miles
Browse Volkswagen Beetle complaints by category
Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER and BODY are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Volkswagen Beetle owners.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the vehicle is equipped with manual transmission and keyless ignition. this is an unsafe combination should the car be stalled.... |
48
~ 23997 miles |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER rear-ended a car in stop and go traffic on freeway - fender bender-no air bags went off. both cars drove... |
25
~ 11834 miles |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER tl* the contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the brake pedal... |
20
~ 18577 miles |
| ENGINE tl* the contact owned a 2014 volkswagen beetle. while driving approximately 30 mph the contact's vehicle rear ended the preceding... |
19
~ 19288 miles |
| STEERING clockspring in steering broke causing failure of abs airbag esc and tire pressure monitoring system.car was brand new with 259 |
14
~ 25238 miles |
| AIR BAGS clockspring in steering broke causing failure of abs airbag esc and tire pressure monitoring system.car was brand new with 259 |
12
~ 17599 miles |
| SERVICE BRAKES tl* the contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the brake pedal... |
11
~ 20945 miles |
| BODY > STRUCTURE the vehicle is equipped with manual transmission and keyless ignition. this is an unsafe combination should the car be stalled.... |
9
~ 12524 miles |
| POWER TRAIN the vehicle is equipped with manual transmission and keyless ignition. this is an unsafe combination should the car be stalled.... |
9
~ 17347 miles |
| POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY drivers window does not function properly. will at times not go up or down. dealer states this is a known |
9
~ 1066 miles |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM sun roof and noise when i back up... |
8
~ 48042 miles |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL clockspring broke for the second time causing failure of abs airbag esc and tire pressure monitoring system. second failure of |
7
~ 28565 miles |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2014 vw 'clock spring' failure affecting the driver-side air bag horn and cruise control. i would like to request the... |
4
~ 10654 miles |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING sunroof crack after 2 times change very unsafe condition. when rain front light the get full of water and they |
4
~ 15878 miles |
| SUSPENSION after exiting the freeway and completing a curve to the right i was on a straight section of the off... |
4
~ 36750 miles |
| WHEELS contiprocontact tire 23540r19 blow out dec 2012. same tire replaced in 2014. now for the last couple weeks (may 11... |
4
~ 9101 miles |
| TIRES contiprocontact tire 23540r19 blow out dec 2012. same tire replaced in 2014. now for the last couple weeks (may 11... |
4
~ 4376 miles |
| SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle. while driving 60 mph the contact heard a loud abnormal noise. the... |
3
~ 41310 miles |
| WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the electronic windows failed and would open and... |
3
~ 13083 miles |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL exited the interstate and once on the off ramp tried to speed up and the engine service light started to... |
2
~ 6525 miles |
| AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed the air... |
2
~ 17874 miles |
| WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the check oil warning indicator illuminated. the contact... |
1
~ 65000 miles |
| DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the driver's side door did not close tightly.... |
1
~ 35000 miles |
| IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the key was difficult to remove from the... |
1
~ 36000 miles |
| FRONTAL > AIR BAGS tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle. while operating the vehicle the air bag indicator remained illuminated which was... |
1
~ 46000 miles |
| SEAT BELTS i purchased 2013 vw beetle as certified pre owned in 2016 at 30 000 mile approximately steering gears had to... |
1
~ 48209 miles |
| SEATS i purchased 2013 vw beetle as certified pre owned in 2016 at 30 000 mile approximately steering gears had to... |
1
~ 48209 miles |
| RACK > RACK AND PINION > STEERING tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen beetle. while driving approximately 15 mph the steering wheel made an abnormal noise... |
1
~ 26399 miles |
| RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the radio was not working properly. when activated... |
1
~ 56000 miles |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY the car was purchased new. the backup camera on the vehicle is very dark and not safely usable. even on... |
1
|
| STRUCTURE adult male had hand under the trunk lid getting ready to lift it open when the passenger door was closed... |
1
|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC clockspring broke for the second time causing failure of abs airbag esc and tire pressure monitoring system. second failure of |
1
~ 1569 miles |
| PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES clockspring broke for the second time causing failure of abs airbag esc and tire pressure monitoring system. second failure of |
1
~ 1569 miles |
| TRUNK LID > BODY > STRUCTURE my daughter's 2013 vw beetle does not have an emergency trunk release. the only way to release it is to... |
1
~ 3000 miles |
| CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN problem with clutch release. pulling away from a stop the clutch sometimes disengages without any sign of shutter. all of... |
1
~ 60 miles |
| DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY i have three concerns about my new car. first and foremost is the window issue. i had the vx beetle... |
1
|
| MOTOR > REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY i purchased my car from ourisman volkswagen of laurel 3371 fort meade road laurel on may 27 2012 i began... |
1
|
| VISIBILITY i noticed a set of cracks near the top of my windshield approximately at the point where the rear view... |
1
~ 13695 miles |
| INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM cpsc#i1220269a. 2012 volkswagen beetle. consumer stated that when the driver can not read the speed or fuel gauges that it... |
1
|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen beetle. the contact was driving approximately 40 mph and noticed the catalytic converter... |
1
~ 1166 miles |
| HEAD RESTRAINT > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the electronic windows failed and would open and... |
1
~ 3748 miles |
| FLOOR SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the electronic windows failed and would open and... |
1
~ 3748 miles |
FAQ
What year Volkswagen Beetle is the most reliable?
Speaking of the models produced in the last 8 years, Volkswagen Beetle models of 2019, 2018, 2017 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.
What year was a bad year for Volkswagen Beetle?
Volkswagen Beetle models of 2012 and 2013 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.
Volkswagen Beetle specs
Performance
| 0-60 times |
Exterior
| Wheels |
| Bulbs |
| Dimensions |
| Ground clearance |
| Weight |
Interior
| Speaker size |
Maintenance
| Towing Capacity |
| Wipers size |
| Gas tank size |
| Cargo space |
| Safety ratings |
| Complaints |
