The Lemon IndexVolkswagen Beetle recalls.
Every NHTSA recall campaign for the 2000–2019 Volkswagen Beetle, newest first. Each one is listed once, with the model years it covers.
Check a VIN to see that car's model-year report and recalls.
Park-it warnings 1
NHTSA flagged these: don't drive the car, or park it outside, until the fix is done.
- Brakes · recall issued Jun 2018 · model year 2018 Park it: don't drive
The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
10,225 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V369000
Every recall 31
- Airbags · recall issued Oct 2024 · model years 2017–2019
The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
248,330 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 24V834000
- Airbags · recall issued Dec 2022 · model years 2015–2016
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.
37,558 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 22V945000
- Airbags · recall issued Dec 2020 · model years 2012–2014
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.
105,652 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20V785000
- Brakes · recall issued Sep 2020 · model years 2012–2019
The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
38 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20E064000
- Unknown or other · recall issued Sep 2019 · model years 2008–2010, 2012–2013
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.
113 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V679000
- Electrical · recall issued Aug 2019 · model years 2012–2019
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.".
679,027 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V615000
- Electrical · recall issued Feb 2019 · model year 2019
The instrument cluster may not provide a visual warning when a brake system failure is detected.
4,064 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V094000
- Brakes · recall issued Jun 2018 · model year 2018 Park it: don't drive
The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
10,225 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V369000
Show all 31 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued Mar 2017 · model year 2017
The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle.
797 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 17V136000
- Engine · recall issued Oct 2015 · model years 2015–2016
In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
91,867 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 15V705000
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Jan 2015 · model years 2014–2015
A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
44,658 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 15V028000
- Suspension · recall issued Oct 2014 · model years 2012–2013
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.
442,066 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V656000
- Visibility · recall issued Oct 2014 · model years 2013–2015
The glass sunroofs in the affected vehicles may break when the vehicles are operated over a hard road surface or strike a pothole.
7,062 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V658000
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued Apr 2014 · model year 2014
In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
26,452 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V182000
- Engine · recall issued Mar 2014 · model years 2000–2005
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
50 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14E007000
- Airbags · recall issued Nov 2012 · model years 2012–2013
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.
2,471 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 12V540000
- Tires · recall issued Jul 2012 · model year 2012
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BEETLE VEHICLES.
83 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 12V331000
- Seats · recall issued Jan 2011 · model year 2010
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 THE BARRIER TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL M…
27 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 11V031000
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Dec 2010 · model years 2006–2010 2.5L engines only
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 WITH 2.5L ENGINES.
228,236 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 10V621000
- Lights · recall issued Apr 2009 · model years 2000–2005
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued Aug 2008 · model years 2000–2002
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
- Airbags · recall issued Apr 2008 · model years 2003–2005
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.
- Body structure · recall issued Jan 2008 · model year 2008
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.
- Brakes · recall issued Mar 2007 · model years 2003–2006
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…
- Lights · recall issued Feb 2007 · model years 2001–2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
- Lights · recall issued Jun 2006 · model years 2000–2002
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued May 2006 · model years 2000–2002
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Lights · recall issued May 2006 · model years 2000–2002
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 INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 0…
- Lights · recall issued Mar 2006 · model years 2000–2002
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Equipment · recall issued Feb 2006 · model year 2006 2.5L engines only
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. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH…
- Fuel system, diesel · recall issued Dec 2004 · model years 2004–2005 Diesel only
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.
Recalls by model year. Campaigns that cover each year.
What they fix. Campaigns by system.
Is one open on your Beetle?
A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car. NHTSA's public recall data works by make, model and year, so these lists cover every car of that model year, not one VIN. Whether a recall was already fixed on a particular car is in the automaker's records: type the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any dealer of that brand. The repair is free.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Questions
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Beetle have?
31 recall campaigns across model years 2000–2019, from NHTSA. Many campaigns cover several model years; counted once for every model year they cover (the way each year's page counts them), that's 96.
Which Volkswagen Beetle year has the most recalls?
The 2002, with 8 campaigns. 2001: 8, 2013: 7, 2012: 7.
What are most Volkswagen Beetle recalls about?
Lights: 7 of the 31 campaigns. Then airbags (5) and brakes (3).
What is the newest Volkswagen Beetle recall?
Airbags, filed Oct 2024 (NHTSA 24V834000): The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
What is the biggest Volkswagen Beetle recall?
NHTSA 19V615000 (electrical, Aug 2019) covers 679,027 vehicles in all, every model in that campaign. 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.".
How do I check if my Volkswagen Beetle has an open recall?
Use its VIN: type it at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any Volkswagen dealer. Our VIN check decodes it and lists every recall for that model year. Recall repairs are free.
Volkswagen Beetle: problems and best years · All Volkswagen recalls · Recall check
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns (api.nhtsa.gov), matched to the model names owners use in NHTSA complaints. Vehicle counts and the "park it" warnings come from NHTSA's recall file, which starts in 2010, so older recalls have no count. A campaign's count covers every make and model in it.
Know someone with a Beetle?