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Volkswagen Beetle

Model years 1998–2019 in the US safety record. Years that drew the most complaints: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005. Fewest complaints: 2017, 2018, 2019.

2,588owner complaints
24recall campaigns
10,891service bulletins
22model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2000. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’98’00’01’04’07’10’13’16’19263’98’00’01’04’07’10’13’16’19263

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.

0.0%0.9%1.9%’12’14’16’18’191.2%0.0%0.9%1.9%’12’15’16’18’191.2%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
2019 Beetle1433751 · 0
2018 Beetle1734720 · 0
2017 Beetle1535150 · 0
2016 Beetle4836532 · 0
2015 Beetle8359272 · 0
2014 Beetle50512913 · 2
2013 Beetle93613024 · 0
2012 Beetle65610424 · 0
2011 Beetle006390 · 0
2010 Beetle3036030 · 0
2009 Beetle3325591 · 0
2008 Beetle6034313 · 8
2007 Beetle5623462 · 1
2006 Beetle12433197 · 1
2005 BeetleMost complaints261325711 · 5
2004 BeetleMost complaints34932207 · 13
2003 BeetleMost complaints31421887 · 7
2002 Beetle165218513 · 4
2001 Beetle203218912 · 9
2000 BeetleMost complaints26311888 · 21
1999 Beetle174110817 · 20
1998 Beetle17128214 · 16

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 yearVehicles in fatal crashesDeaths in the vehicleRolled over
2019420
2018211
2017730
2016681
2015850
20141131
20131192
20121181
2010642
2009621
2008660
20071480
20061172
2005951
2004762
200316162
200215122
200115133
200012112
1999562
1998220
1978110
1975111
1974111
1973110
1972110
1971110
1969220
1968110
1967320

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.

YearVariantOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
20192019 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD—★★★★☆—★★★★☆10.5 %
20182018 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD—★★★★☆—★★★★☆10.5 %
20172017 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10.5 %
20162016 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10.5 %
20152015 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10.5 %
20142014 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10.5 %
20132013 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10.5 %
20122012 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.

YearVariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
2019Beetle Dune · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AS69.16.98.1189
2018Beetle Dune · Compact · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.AS69.16.98.1189
2017Beetle · Compact · Regular gasoline1.8 L, 4 cyl.M59.57.18.4198
2016Beetle · Compact · Regular gasoline1.8 L, 4 cyl.AS69.67.08.4196
2015Beetle · Compact · Regular gasoline1.8 L, 4 cyl.AS69.67.28.5196
2014Beetle · Compact · Regular gasoline1.8 L, 4 cyl.A69.57.28.5196
2013Beetle · Compact · Regular gasoline2.5 L, 5 cyl.M511.37.69.6221
2012Beetle · Subcompact · Regular gasoline2.5 L, 5 cyl.M511.37.69.6221

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 yearRegisteredSold new in NZUsed imports
20191156
20181789
2017281117
201629227
201540337
201418259121
2013331105222
201213823113
2011422
201031228
200966955
200816525136
20071414295
20061849976
200524584159
2004344150184
2003328157160
200221711990
2001249121118
2000278146115
199916412
1998100
1986100
1985302
1984100
1982101
1980110
197919115
197815113
19771228

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 registeredOn the roadImportedMedian list price
201826370%€37,499
201754475%€36,033
201664380%€33,712
201564882%€33,573
201478676%€33,134
20131,16471%€32,363
201292155%€25,398
201113484%€31,551
200434100%—
200338100%—
199925100%—
19982167%—

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 registeredIn useAverage mileage
20189478,000 km
20178888,000 km
2016111103,000 km
2015112114,000 km
2014112136,000 km
2013250141,000 km
2012535160,000 km
201135145,000 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.

YearCars in injury collisionsFatalSerious
202594022
202489015
2023126128
2022128131
2021147219

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.

BuiltLicensedOff the road (SORN)
20194—
201889923
20171,51522
20162,26827
20153,22256
20143,63992
20134,437182
20122,220164
201158856
20101,911171
20091,521192
20081,948302
20072,146513
20062,138655
20052,0781,019
20042,2751,340
20031,6521,285
2002767957
20016231,093
20004131,128
199926121
19981138
19971037
1996210
199511
199421
199303
199202
199119
1990614

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 registeredTestsPassed first timeAll cars that yearAverage mileage
201890981%84%28,700 mi
20171,50478%82%36,100 mi
20162,28573%79%44,700 mi
20153,25872%75%51,700 mi
20143,61569%72%59,200 mi
20134,42566%68%67,200 mi
20122,24966%66%70,300 mi
201167263%63%72,100 mi
20102,17558%60%77,000 mi
20091,84653%59%82,600 mi
20082,57649%57%90,000 mi
20073,16350%57%91,700 mi
20063,49750%56%97,400 mi
20053,67752%56%99,600 mi
20044,20248%56%104,200 mi
20033,18749%57%106,500 mi
20021,57647%58%108,300 mi
20011,34449%59%101,900 mi
200091849%61%100,200 mi
197319672%81%46,900 mi
197219170%80%45,800 mi

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).

AreaBeetleAll cars, same ages
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment19.6%16.2%
Suspension15.3%13.1%
Brakes8.7%9.9%
Noise, emissions and leaks8.5%4.9%
Visibility7.2%6.0%
Body, chassis, structure6.9%5.9%
Tyres6.5%6.7%
Steering5.0%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).

YearNew carsLargest marketsMass kgCO₂ g/kmPower kW
20221Spain1,276152 (WLTP)162
20213Italy, Germany1,444—92
20205Spain, Italy, Germany1,350144 (NEDC)95
2019264Germany, France, Belgium1,400126 (NEDC)88
201813,418Germany, France, United Kingdom1,413128 (NEDC)93
201722,196Germany, France, United Kingdom1,417130 (NEDC)101
201624,756Germany, France, United Kingdom1,414—106
201525,088Germany, France, United Kingdom1,404—104
201428,274Germany, France, United Kingdom1,397—101
201334,431Germany, France, United Kingdom1,392—102
201225,335Germany, France, Italy1,366—105
20112,697Germany, United Kingdom, France1,344—112
20102,173United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Malta1,314——

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.

SR/00793/25 · Injuries28 Feb 2025 · Beetle, New Beetle, EOS + EOS GP, Fox, Golf A6 + Cabrio + Plus, Passat B6 + B7 + CC, Polo Vivo + A04

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…

A12/1253/19 · Injuries16 Aug 2019 · Beetle, Golf, Polo

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.

A12/1341/16 · Fire21 Oct 2016 · Passat, Jetta, Beetle, Golf

The fuel rail in the engine may leak which could lead to a fire.

A12/0264/15 · Fire27 Feb 2015 · Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Cabrio, Golf, Passat NMS

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.

24V834000 · Air bags30 Oct 2024 · 2017, 2018, 2019

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.

22V945000 · Air bags21 Dec 2022 · 2015, 2016

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.

20V785000 · Air bags16 Dec 2020 · 2012, 2013, 2014

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.

19V679000 · Unknown or other25 Sept 2019 · 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013

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.

19V615000 · Electrical system22 Aug 2019 · 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

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."

19V094000 · Service brakes13 Feb 2019 · 2019

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."

18V369000 · Service brakes, hydraulic1 Jun 2018 · 2018

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.

17V136000 · Equipment2 Mar 2017 · 2017

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."

15V705000 · Engine and engine cooling26 Oct 2015 · 2015, 2016

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.

15V028000 · Fuel system, gasoline23 Jan 2015 · 2014, 2015

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.

14V658000 · Visibility20 Oct 2014 · 2013, 2014, 2015

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.

14V656000 · Suspension20 Oct 2014 · 2012, 2013

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