VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
All Model Years — Complaints, Recalls & Reliability
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE Reliability Overview
The VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has been produced from 1965 to 2019. Over 55 model years, NHTSA has received 3,613 complaints and issued 119 recall campaigns for this model.
55
Model Years
3,613
Complaints
119
Recalls
1965–2019
Year Range
Complaints by Model Year
2019 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 14
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-system
2018 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 21
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2017 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 16
Recalls: 4
★★★★★
Top Issue: air-bags
2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 60
Recalls: 4
★★★★★
Top Issue: air-bags
2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 108
Recalls: 6
★★★★★
Top Issue: air-bags
2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 71
Recalls: 6
★★★★★
Top Issue: air-bags
2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 125
Recalls: 7
★★★★★
Top Issue: air-bags
2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 88
Recalls: 7
★★★★☆
Top Issue: air-bags
2011 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
No rating
2010 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 42
Recalls: 3
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-system
2009 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 39
Recalls: 2
No rating
Top Issue: exterior-lighting
2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 109
Recalls: 3
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-system
2007 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 79
Recalls: 2
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 161
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: power-train
2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 330
Recalls: 6
No rating
Top Issue: power-trainautomatic-transmission
2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 469
Recalls: 6
No rating
Top Issue: power-trainautomatic-transmission
2003 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 405
Recalls: 5
No rating
Top Issue: power-trainautomatic-transmission
2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 231
Recalls: 8
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
2001 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 291
Recalls: 8
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-system
2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 373
Recalls: 7
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
1999 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 280
Recalls: 7
No rating
Top Issue: visibilitypower-window-devices-and-controls
1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 289
Recalls: 8
No rating
Top Issue: visibilitypower-window-devices-and-controls
1977 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 1
No rating
1974 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 4
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: seat-beltsfrontwebbing
1973 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 1
Recalls: 3
No rating
Top Issue: vehicle-speed-control
1972 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 0
No rating
1971 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 3
No rating
1970 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 1
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: structure
1969 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 1
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: exterior-lightingbrake-lightsswitch
1968 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 1
No rating
1965 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Complaints: 5
Recalls: 0
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-systemwiringfuses-and-circuit-breakers
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Rating | Top Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 14 | 4 | N/A | electrical-system |
| 2018 | 21 | 4 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2017 | 16 | 4 | ★★★★★ | air-bags |
| 2016 | 60 | 4 | ★★★★★ | air-bags |
| 2015 | 108 | 6 | ★★★★★ | air-bags |
| 2014 | 71 | 6 | ★★★★★ | air-bags |
| 2013 | 125 | 7 | ★★★★★ | air-bags |
| 2012 | 88 | 7 | ★★★★☆ | air-bags |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | N/A | — |
| 2010 | 42 | 3 | N/A | electrical-system |
| 2009 | 39 | 2 | N/A | exterior-lighting |
| 2008 | 109 | 3 | N/A | electrical-system |
| 2007 | 79 | 2 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2006 | 161 | 4 | N/A | power-train |
| 2005 | 330 | 6 | N/A | power-trainautomatic-transmission |
| 2004 | 469 | 6 | N/A | power-trainautomatic-transmission |
| 2003 | 405 | 5 | N/A | power-trainautomatic-transmission |
| 2002 | 231 | 8 | N/A | air-bags |
| 2001 | 291 | 8 | N/A | electrical-system |
| 2000 | 373 | 7 | N/A | air-bags |
| 1999 | 280 | 7 | N/A | visibilitypower-window-devices-and-controls |
| 1998 | 289 | 8 | N/A | visibilitypower-window-devices-and-controls |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | N/A | — |
| 1974 | 4 | 0 | N/A | seat-beltsfrontwebbing |
| 1973 | 1 | 3 | N/A | vehicle-speed-control |
| 1972 | 0 | 0 | N/A | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 3 | N/A | — |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 | N/A | structure |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 | N/A | exterior-lightingbrake-lightsswitch |
| 1968 | 0 | 1 | N/A | — |
| 1965 | 5 | 0 | N/A | electrical-systemwiringfuses-and-circuit-breakers |