2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — Owner-Reported Problems

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

• Campaign 19V615000 was reported 2,183 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
• Campaign 20E064000 was reported 2,606 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
• Campaign 20V785000 was reported 930 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.

Safety Recalls (7)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

1. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 12V540000

   Report date

   Nov 15, 2012

   Component:

   AIR BAGS

   Consequence:

   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.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

2. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 14V656000

   Report date

   Oct 20, 2014

   Component:

   SUSPENSION

   Consequence:

   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.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

3. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 14V658000

   Report date

   Oct 20, 2014

   Component:

   VISIBILITY

   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.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

4. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 19V615000

   Report date

   Aug 22, 2019

   Component:

   ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

   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.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

5. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 19V679000

   Report date

   Sep 25, 2019

   Component:

   Not available in the source record

   Consequence:

   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.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

6. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 20E064000

   Report date

   Sep 23, 2020

   Component:

   SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

   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 began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

7. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 20V785000

   Report date

   Dec 16, 2020

   Component:

   AIR BAGS

   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.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →