2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

71

Owner Complaints

3 Crashes 2 Fires

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

102

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

The 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has received a total of 71 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE. 102 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (15 complaints), Electrical System (10 complaints), and Engine (6 complaints).

Recalls for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, potentially affecting up to 1,541,916 vehicles.

Recall 20V785000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

| 105,652 vehicles affected

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.

Consequence: 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.

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Recall 20E064000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

| 38 vehicles affected

Defect: Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

Consequence: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall...

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Recall 19V615000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

| 679,027 vehicles affected

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...

Consequence: 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.

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Recall 19V615000 — STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

| 679,027 vehicles affected

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...

Consequence: 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.

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Recall 15V028000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

| 44,658 vehicles affected

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,...

Consequence: 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...

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Recall 14V658000 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

| 7,062 vehicles affected

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.

Consequence: 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.

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Recall 14V182000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

| 26,452 vehicles affected

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.

Consequence: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

71 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11660098 | STRUCTURE:BODY | | N/A miles
Roof has cracked from sunroof to the pillar in multiple locations it is avaliable for inspection. It’s a common issues with beetles with sun roofs My concern is if it cracks enough a large piece may come off and potentially strike another vehicle especially at freeway speeds Dealer has denied the repair
#11629147 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
This complaint involves the failure of the ABS Control Module. Upon starting the car, audible warnings as well as dash warning lights indicate urgent brake failure, ABS failure, Airbag failure and stability control failure. In my particular case, the rear brake calipers do not activate fully when braking resulting in increased stopping distance. Vehicle was scanned at dealer on 11/16/24 indicating failure of ABS Control Module. Repair estimate, $5379. This is apparently a common issue when searching on-line VW forums. The ABS Module was the subject of a recall for 2009 and 2010 models but appears to still affect later model years. VW is forcing its customers to choose between an exorbitant repair bill or driving an unsafe vehicle knowing they have installed defective modules. Dealer states unable to predict future brake and other issues if not repaired. Evidence of how common this problem occurs is their own admission that the parts are back ordered.
#11629147 | SERVICE BRAKES | | N/A miles
This complaint involves the failure of the ABS Control Module. Upon starting the car, audible warnings as well as dash warning lights indicate urgent brake failure, ABS failure, Airbag failure and stability control failure. In my particular case, the rear brake calipers do not activate fully when braking resulting in increased stopping distance. Vehicle was scanned at dealer on 11/16/24 indicating failure of ABS Control Module. Repair estimate, $5379. This is apparently a common issue when searching on-line VW forums. The ABS Module was the subject of a recall for 2009 and 2010 models but appears to still affect later model years. VW is forcing its customers to choose between an exorbitant repair bill or driving an unsafe vehicle knowing they have installed defective modules. Dealer states unable to predict future brake and other issues if not repaired. Evidence of how common this problem occurs is their own admission that the parts are back ordered.
#11582658 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | | 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel lines failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000. The VIN was not provided.
#11543612 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
On my dashboard, my passenger seat airbag started going off. I brought my VW Beetle in for its 100,000-mile maintenance check and asked about the airbag. My mechanic informed me that the passenger seat airbag was failing, and if I were driving with someone and crashed, their airbag would not deploy. They told me there was nothing I could've done to prevent this, it's just the piece itself has failed. Their advisory notes were: 'Airbag light on trouble code B12251B occupied recognition sensor mat. PART #5C5959337.' I researched if my car was eligible for a recall and it is not, however I saw that VW has a recall for Takata Driver Front Airbags.

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Safety Rating for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

The 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★ (4/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★ (4/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 102 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

VIN4APIN20220329 — STRUCTURE

Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Customer states coolant leak Oil level sensor leaking Customer states MIL-on, fault P2422 stored in ECM Customer states front brake noise Customer states blower stays on Customer states cannot set seat memory Customer states cannot set seat memory Any TDI within...

VIN4APIN20210816 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Customer states MIL-on with P013E in the ECM Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states noise during clutch pedal operation Hood release inoperative Customer states MIL-on with P0401

SM 06-2020 — EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the part numbers listed and order the superseded part numbers.

VIN4APIN20200624 — EQUIPMENT

Customer states MIL-on with P0496 Customer states MIL-on with U0284 Customer states MIL-on with P02CC, P02CE, P02D0, P02D2, P02D4, and P02D6 P02D7 Customer states oil leak from the engine Customer states MIL-on with P0442 Customer states MIL-on, HPFP mounting bolts loose/broken No crank, no start Customer states both headlights are...

V871806201994714 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A

TT 15 20 01 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Timing chain reset adaptation.

Microswitchcomm — EQUIPMENT

Micro switch customer call list.

VOS-19-34 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

This document outlines updates to the ODIS diagnostic software. Updates include corrected diagnostic test plans for the stated vehicles.

Dealer 21H3 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

Due to a parts catalog error, incorrect emissions related component(s) may have been installed on some vehicles during a past service repair visit. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the component(s) as a proactive measure to ensure continued emissions compliance.

VWP1802 20191025 — STEERING

This Document informs dealers the warranty extension for the steering column lock housing has been revised to include 2014 and 2015 model year

Showing 10 of 102 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

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Other VOLKSWAGEN Models

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