Volkswagen Beetle Recalls (2010-2019)
The Volkswagen Beetle has been the subject of 17 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2010 to 2019 model years. They cluster mostly around the air bags, service brakes, and electrical system. At least one is serious enough that NHTSA tells owners to stop driving the vehicle until it is fixed.
The Volkswagen Beetle scores 31 out of 100 (grade D), a busier recall record than most. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 76% involve a critical safety system, 1 carried a do-not-drive warning, and 6% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 17 campaigns span 9 model years of the Volkswagen Beetle. The single largest affected 10,225 vehicles, over service brakes. Some carry a do-not-drive warning, the most serious class of recall, which means NHTSA advises against driving the vehicle until the repair is done. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common Beetle problems owners report and its crash-test safety ratings.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Volkswagen Beetle may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Volkswagen Beetle recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Volkswagen Beetle recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2019 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle, involving the electrical system, air bags, and steering.
2018 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle, involving the air bags, electrical system, and steering. One carries a do-not-drive warning.
2017 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle, involving the air bags, electrical system, and steering.
2016 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle, involving the air bags, electrical system, and steering.
2015 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls
5 recalls affect the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle, involving the air bags, electrical system, and steering.
2014 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls
5 recalls affect the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle, involving the air bags, electrical system, and steering.
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls
6 recalls affect the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle, involving the air bags, unknown or other, and electrical system.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls
6 recalls affect the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, involving the air bags, unknown or other, and electrical system.
2010 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2010 Volkswagen Beetle, involving the unknown or other, seats, and fuel system.
Every Volkswagen Beetle recall in detail
Select any recall to read the full defect, risk, and remedy text. Do Not Drive and Park Outside warnings stay visible without opening anything.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2017-2019 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 248,330
- Reported
- Oct 30, 2024
- Owners notified
- Dec 4, 2024
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
NHTSA campaign number 24V834000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2015-2016 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 37,558
- Reported
- Dec 21, 2022
- Owners notified
- Oct 26, 2023
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Beetle and Beetle Convertibles vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69EM.
NHTSA campaign number 22V945000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 105,652
- Reported
- Dec 16, 2020
- Owners notified
- Mar 19, 2021
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BC.
NHTSA campaign number 20V785000.
Unknown Or Other
- Affected years
- 2010-2013 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 113
- Reported
- Sep 25, 2019
- Owners notified
- Nov 6, 2019
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
NHTSA campaign number 19V679000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 679,027
- Reported
- Aug 22, 2019
- Owners notified
- Nov 19, 2019
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
NHTSA campaign number 19V615000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2019 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 4,064
- Reported
- Feb 13, 2019
- Owners notified
- Mar 18, 2019
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The instrument cluster may not provide a visual warning when a brake system failure is detected. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems" and number 101, "Controls and displays."
Risk: If the driver is not alerted when there is a problem with brakes, the driver may lose control of the vehicle while attempting to brake, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90L8.
NHTSA campaign number 19V094000.
Service Brakes
- Affected years
- 2018 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 10,225
- Reported
- Jun 1, 2018
- Owners notified
- Jun 29, 2018
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
NHTSA campaign number 18V369000.
Equipment
- Affected years
- 2017 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 797
- Reported
- Mar 2, 2017
- Owners notified
- Mar 30, 2017
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B9.
NHTSA campaign number 17V136000.
Engine And Engine Cooling
- Affected years
- 2015-2016 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 91,867
- Reported
- Oct 26, 2015
- Owners notified
- Mar 9, 2016
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
NHTSA campaign number 15V705000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2014-2015 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 44,658
- Reported
- Jan 23, 2015
- Owners notified
- Feb 9, 2015
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
NHTSA campaign number 15V028000.
Suspension
- Affected years
- 2012-2013 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 442,066
- Reported
- Oct 20, 2014
- Owners notified
- Apr 7, 2015
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
Risk: The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
NHTSA campaign number 14V656000.
Visibility
- Affected years
- 2013-2015 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 7,062
- Reported
- Oct 20, 2014
- Owners notified
- Dec 16, 2014
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Beetle vehicles manufactured June 13, 2013, to July 3, 2014. The glass sunroofs in the affected vehicles may break when the vehicles are operated over a hard road surface or strike a pothole.
Risk: Vehicle occupants could be injured by falling glass. A sunroof break during vehicle operation also increases the risk of driver distraction and a resulting vehicle crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60B9.
NHTSA campaign number 14V658000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2014 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 26,452
- Reported
- Apr 15, 2014
- Owners notified
- Apr 16, 2014
Defect: Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
Risk: The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.
NHTSA campaign number 14V182000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2012-2013 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 2,471
- Reported
- Nov 15, 2012
- Owners notified
- Jan 9, 2013
Defect: Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. If the right front passenger seat gets wet, the occupant control module may not properly detect the presence of a child restraint installed in the seat.
Risk: If the control module does not detect a child seat installed, the airbag will not turn off. If the airbag does not turn off, in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment, a child secured in the child seat may be at an increased risk for serious injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the control modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA campaign number 12V540000.
Tires
- Affected years
- 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 83
- Reported
- Jul 16, 2012
- Owners notified
- Sep 12, 2012
Defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BEETLE VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES."
Risk: DUE TO AN ERROR AT THE FACTORY, THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT ARE POSSIBLY NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION & RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES." IN ADDITION, CUSTOMERS MAY BE UNAWARE THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES. SUMMER TIRES HAVE DIFFERENT GRIP AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS. THESE ISSUES MAY LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT TIRES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA campaign number 12V331000.
Seats
- Affected years
- 2010 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 27
- Reported
- Jan 21, 2011
- Owners notified
- Jan 28, 2011
Defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NEW BEETLE AND NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE BARRIER TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2010.
Risk: THE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET WITH REQUIREMENTS THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, AND THEREFORE MAY NOT OFFER THE PROTECTION ATTENDANT TO THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL OFFER TO REPLACE THEIR VEHICLE WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE THAT WAS PRODUCED PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, COMPLIANT WITH FMVSS 208 REQUIREMENTS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA campaign number 11V031000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2010 Volkswagen Beetle
- Vehicles in this recall
- 228,236
- Reported
- Dec 10, 2010
- Owners notified
- Jan 31, 2011
Defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
Risk: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA campaign number 10V621000.
Common questions about Volkswagen Beetle recalls
- Does the Volkswagen Beetle have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 17 recall campaigns on record for the Volkswagen Beetle across the 2010 to 2019 model years. The most common areas are the air bags, service brakes, and electrical system.
- How many times has the Volkswagen Beetle been recalled?
- The Volkswagen Beetle has 17 recall campaigns from the 2010 to 2019 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Volkswagen Beetle recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the service brakes, affecting 10,225 vehicles. NHTSA flagged it as do-not-drive, meaning owners should stop driving the vehicle until the repair is done. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Which Volkswagen Beetle model year has the most recalls?
- The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle has the most, with 6 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Volkswagen Beetle has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.