Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2000. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2016.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Beetle | 14 | 3 |
| 2018 Beetle | 17 | 3 |
| 2017 Beetle | 15 | 3 |
| 2016 Beetle | 48 | 3 |
| 2015 Beetle | 83 | 5 |
| 2014 Beetle | 50 | 5 |
| 2013 Beetle | 93 | 6 |
| 2012 Beetle | 65 | 6 |
| 2011 Beetle | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 Beetle | 30 | 3 |
| 2009 Beetle | 33 | 2 |
| 2008 Beetle | 60 | 3 |
| 2007 Beetle | 56 | 2 |
| 2006 Beetle | 124 | 3 |
| 2005 BeetleMost complaints | 261 | 3 |
| 2004 BeetleMost complaints | 349 | 3 |
| 2003 BeetleMost complaints | 314 | 2 |
| 2002 Beetle | 165 | 2 |
| 2001 Beetle | 203 | 2 |
| 2000 BeetleMost complaints | 263 | 1 |
| 1999 Beetle | 174 | 1 |
| 1998 Beetle | 171 | 2 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Power train605
- Air bags535
- Electrical system472
- Visibility324
- Engine and engine cooling249
- Exterior lighting190
- Structure150
- Unknown or other133
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 200 Beetle vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 151 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 | 1 |
| 2017 | 7 | 3 |
| 2016 | 6 | 8 |
| 2015 | 8 | 5 |
| 2014 | 11 | 3 |
| 2013 | 11 | 9 |
| 2012 | 11 | 8 |
| 2010 | 6 | 4 |
| 2009 | 6 | 2 |
| 2008 | 6 | 6 |
| 2007 | 14 | 8 |
| 2006 | 11 | 7 |
| 2005 | 9 | 5 |
| 2004 | 7 | 6 |
| 2003 | 16 | 16 |
| 2002 | 15 | 12 |
| 2001 | 15 | 13 |
| 2000 | 12 | 11 |
| 1999 | 5 | 6 |
| 1998 | 2 | 2 |
| 1978 | 1 | 1 |
| 1975 | 1 | 1 |
| 1974 | 1 | 1 |
| 1973 | 1 | 1 |
| 1972 | 1 | 1 |
| 1971 | 1 | 1 |
| 1969 | 2 | 2 |
| 1968 | 1 | 1 |
| 1967 | 3 | 2 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 8 model-year variants; 5 of 6 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2019 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD | — | 10.5 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD | — | 10.5 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.5 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.5 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.5 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.5 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.5 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.5 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 8 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 8.1–9.6 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Beetle Dune · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.1 | 6.9 | 8.1 |
| 2018 | Beetle Dune · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.1 | 6.9 | 8.1 |
| 2017 | Beetle · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.5 | 7.1 | 8.4 |
| 2016 | Beetle · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 7.0 | 8.4 |
| 2015 | Beetle · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.6 | 7.2 | 8.5 |
| 2014 | Beetle · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.5 | 7.2 | 8.5 |
| 2013 | Beetle · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.3 | 7.6 | 9.6 |
| 2012 | Beetle · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 11.3 | 7.6 | 9.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
3,898 Beetle cars are on the New Zealand register; 49% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 2018 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| 2017 | 28 | 11 | 17 |
| 2016 | 29 | 2 | 27 |
| 2015 | 40 | 3 | 37 |
| 2014 | 182 | 59 | 121 |
| 2013 | 331 | 105 | 222 |
| 2012 | 138 | 23 | 113 |
| 2011 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 2010 | 31 | 2 | 28 |
| 2009 | 66 | 9 | 55 |
| 2008 | 165 | 25 | 136 |
| 2007 | 141 | 42 | 95 |
| 2006 | 184 | 99 | 76 |
| 2005 | 245 | 84 | 159 |
| 2004 | 344 | 150 | 184 |
| 2003 | 328 | 157 | 160 |
| 2002 | 217 | 119 | 90 |
| 2001 | 249 | 121 | 118 |
| 2000 | 278 | 146 | 115 |
| 1999 | 16 | 4 | 12 |
| 1998 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1980 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 19 | 1 | 15 |
| 1978 | 15 | 1 | 13 |
| 1977 | 12 | 2 | 8 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
5,221 Beetle cars are on Dutch roads; 73% arrived later as imports, and 126 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 263 | €37,499 |
| 2017 | 544 | €36,033 |
| 2016 | 643 | €33,712 |
| 2015 | 648 | €33,573 |
| 2014 | 786 | €33,134 |
| 2013 | 1,164 | €32,363 |
| 2012 | 921 | €25,398 |
| 2011 | 134 | €31,551 |
| 2004 | 34 | — |
| 2003 | 38 | — |
| 1999 | 25 | — |
| 1998 | 21 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
1,337 Beetle cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 95% petrol, 5% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 94 | 78,000 km |
| 2017 | 88 | 88,000 km |
| 2016 | 111 | 103,000 km |
| 2015 | 112 | 114,000 km |
| 2014 | 112 | 136,000 km |
| 2013 | 250 | 141,000 km |
| 2012 | 535 | 160,000 km |
| 2011 | 35 | 145,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 584 Beetle cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 4 of those collisions were fatal and 115 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 94 | 0 | 22 |
| 2024 | 89 | 0 | 15 |
| 2023 | 126 | 1 | 28 |
| 2022 | 128 | 1 | 31 |
| 2021 | 147 | 2 | 19 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
39,933 Beetle cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | — |
| 2018 | 899 | 23 |
| 2017 | 1,515 | 22 |
| 2016 | 2,268 | 27 |
| 2015 | 3,222 | 56 |
| 2014 | 3,639 | 92 |
| 2013 | 4,437 | 182 |
| 2012 | 2,220 | 164 |
| 2011 | 588 | 56 |
| 2010 | 1,911 | 171 |
| 2009 | 1,521 | 192 |
| 2008 | 1,948 | 302 |
| 2007 | 2,146 | 513 |
| 2006 | 2,138 | 655 |
| 2005 | 2,078 | 1,019 |
| 2004 | 2,275 | 1,340 |
| 2003 | 1,652 | 1,285 |
| 2002 | 767 | 957 |
| 2001 | 623 | 1,093 |
| 2000 | 413 | 1,128 |
| 1999 | 26 | 121 |
| 1998 | 11 | 38 |
| 1997 | 10 | 37 |
| 1996 | 2 | 10 |
| 1995 | 1 | 1 |
| 1994 | 2 | 1 |
| 1993 | 0 | 3 |
| 1992 | 0 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 | 9 |
| 1990 | 6 | 14 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
47,465 Beetle cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 58% passed first time, against 64% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 909 | 81% |
| 2017 | 1,504 | 78% |
| 2016 | 2,285 | 73% |
| 2015 | 3,258 | 72% |
| 2014 | 3,615 | 69% |
| 2013 | 4,425 | 66% |
| 2012 | 2,249 | 66% |
| 2011 | 672 | 63% |
| 2010 | 2,175 | 58% |
| 2009 | 1,846 | 53% |
| 2008 | 2,576 | 49% |
| 2007 | 3,163 | 50% |
| 2006 | 3,497 | 50% |
| 2005 | 3,677 | 52% |
| 2004 | 4,202 | 48% |
| 2003 | 3,187 | 49% |
| 2002 | 1,576 | 47% |
| 2001 | 1,344 | 49% |
| 2000 | 918 | 49% |
| 1973 | 196 | 72% |
| 1972 | 191 | 70% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | Beetle | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.6% | 16.2% |
| Suspension | 15.3% | 13.1% |
| Brakes | 8.7% | 9.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.5% | 4.9% |
| Visibility | 7.2% | 6.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.9% | 5.9% |
| Tyres | 6.5% | 6.7% |
| Steering | 5.0% | 2.9% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
178,641 new Volkswagen Beetle cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Spain (1).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 152 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 3 | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 144 (NEDC) |
| 2019 | 264 | 126 (NEDC) |
| 2018 | 13,418 | 128 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 22,196 | 130 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 24,756 | — |
| 2015 | 25,088 | — |
| 2014 | 28,274 | — |
| 2013 | 34,431 | — |
| 2012 | 25,335 | — |
| 2011 | 2,697 | — |
| 2010 | 2,173 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Beetle in 4 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it can result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of moto…
The belt pulley of the cam gear could break and the screws on the camshaft adjuster may loosen. As a result, engine oil can leak onto the road, posing a risk to the following traffic.
The fuel rail in the engine may leak which could lead to a fire.
The vehicles concerned may have a leaking fuel rail. There is a danger of fire in some cases.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
24 campaigns cover the Beetle; the latest 12 are below.
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. 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Beetle and Beetle Convertibles 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.
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.
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.
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."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The instrument cluster may not provide a visual warning when a brake system failure is detected. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems" and number 101, "Controls and displays."
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 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
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, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
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.
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.
NHTSA recalls