2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #20V785000December 16, 2020105,652 vehicles affected

  air bags: frontal

  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.

  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 recall #19V679000September 25, 2019113 vehicles affected

  unknown or other

  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.

  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 recall #19V615000August 22, 2019679,027 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module; steering: column locking: anti-theft device

  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."

  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 recall #14V656000October 20, 2014442,066 vehicles affected

  suspension: rear

  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.

  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 recall #12V540000November 15, 20122,471 vehicles affected

  air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

  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.

  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 recall #12V331000July 16, 201283 vehicles affected

  tires

  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."

  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.

Other model years

• 1998 171
• 1999 174
• 2000 263
• 2001 203
• 2002 165
• 2003 314
• 2004 349
• 2005 261
• 2006 124
• 2007 56
• 2008 60
• 2009 33
• 2010 30
• 2012
• 2013 93
• 2014 50
• 2015 83
• 2016 48