Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Volkswagen Beetle, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2004 Volkswagen Beetle - 285 complaints in its first 8 years (349 to date)
- 2003 Volkswagen Beetle - 225 complaints in its first 8 years (314 to date)
- 2005 Volkswagen Beetle - 213 complaints in its first 8 years (261 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2007 Volkswagen Beetle - 35 complaints in its first 8 years (56 to date)
- 2008 Volkswagen Beetle - 39 complaints in its first 8 years (60 to date)
- 2014 Volkswagen Beetle - 44 complaints in its first 8 years (50 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Volkswagen Beetle | 14 | 14 | 3 |
| 2018 Volkswagen Beetle | 17 | 17 | 3 |
| 2017 Volkswagen Beetle | 15 | 14 | 3 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Beetle | 48 | 44 | 3 |
| 2015 Volkswagen Beetle | 83 | 72 | 5 |
| 2014 Volkswagen Beetle | 50 | 44 | 5 |
| 2013 Volkswagen Beetle | 93 | 70 | 6 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Beetle | 65 | 51 | 6 |
| 2010 Volkswagen Beetle | 30 | 24 | 3 |
| 2009 Volkswagen Beetle | 33 | 21 | 2 |
| 2008 Volkswagen Beetle | 60 | 39 | 3 |
| 2007 Volkswagen Beetle | 56 | 35 | 2 |
| 2006 Volkswagen Beetle | 124 | 92 | 3 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Beetle | 261 | 213 | 3 |
| 2004 Volkswagen Beetle | 349 | 285 | 3 |
| 2003 Volkswagen Beetle | 314 | 225 | 2 |
| 2002 Volkswagen Beetle | 165 | 122 | 2 |
| 2001 Volkswagen Beetle | 203 | 144 | 2 |
| 2000 Volkswagen Beetle | 263 | 198 | 1 |
| 1999 Volkswagen Beetle | 174 | 140 | 1 |
| 1998 Volkswagen Beetle | 171 | 140 | 2 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V834000 | 2017-2019 | Air Bags | 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. |
| 22V945000 | 2015-2016 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Beetle and Beetle Convertibles vehicles. |
| 20V785000 | 2012-2014 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. |
| 19V679000 | 2008-2013 | 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... |
| 19V615000 | 2012-2019 | Steering | 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... |
| 19V094000 | 2019 | Service Brakes | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. |
| 18V369000DO NOT DRIVE | 2018 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 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... |
| 17V136000 | 2017 | Equipment | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. |
| 15V705000 | 2015-2016 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. |
| 15V028000 | 2014-2015 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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... |
| 14V658000 | 2013-2015 | Visibility | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Beetle vehicles manufactured June 13, 2013, to July 3, 2014. |
| 14V656000 | 2012-2013 | Suspension | 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... |
| 14V182000 | 2014 | Power Train | 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... |
| 12V540000 | 2012-2013 | Air Bags | Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. |
| 12V331000 | 2012 | 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... |
| 11V031000 | 2010 | Seats | 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... |
| 10V621000 | 2006-2010 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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... |
| 08V178000 | 2003-2005 | Air Bags | VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. |
| 08V036000 | 2008 | Structure | ON CERTAIN SPECIAL EDITION TRIPLE WHITE SEDAN VEHICLES, AN INCORRECT ADHESIVE MAY HAVE BEEN USED TO ATTACH THE ROOF SPOILER TO THE REAR GLASS OF THE VEHICLE. |
| 07V063000 | 2001-2007 | Exterior Lighting | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. |
| 06V183000 | 1998-2002 | Exterior Lighting | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED... |
| 06V043000 | 2006 | Equipment | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17-INCH WHEELS AND A 2.5L ENGINE FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. |
| 04V586000 | 2004-2005 | Fuel System, Diesel | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP. |
| 98V100000 | 1998 | Electrical System | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENDGE OF THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY TRAY. |