1998–2019 · 21 model years

Volkswagen Beetle recalls & problems by year

111 recalls and 2,588 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. Pick a year for the full record.

Most complaints2004349 complaints

Most recalls20028 recalls

Crashes reported118in owner complaints

Injuries reported983 deaths

Owner complaints by model yearSelect a bar to open that year

Model year	NHTSA stars	EPA mpg	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Deaths
2019 Beetle	—	29 mpg	4	14	1	0	0	0
2018 Beetle	—	29 mpg	4	17	0	0	0	0
2017 Beetle	5★	26–28 mpg	4	15	0	0	0	0
2016 Beetle	5★	26–28 mpg	4	48	2	0	0	0
2015 Beetle	5★	26–34 mpg	6	83	2	0	1	0
2014 Beetle	5★	25–32 mpg	6	50	3	2	4	0
2013 Beetle	5★	24–32 mpg	7	93	4	0	2	0
2012 Beetle	4★	24–25 mpg	7	65	4	0	3	0
2010 Beetle	—	—	3	30	0	0	0	0
2009 Beetle	—	—	2	33	1	0	0	0
2008 Beetle	—	—	3	60	3	8	0	0
2007 Beetle	—	—	2	56	2	1	3	1
2006 Beetle	—	—	4	124	7	1	9	0
2005 Beetle	—	—	6	261	11	5	5	0
2004 Beetle	—	—	6	349	7	13	2	0
2003 Beetle	—	—	5	314	7	7	6	0
2002 Beetle	—	—	8	165	13	4	12	0
2001 Beetle	—	—	8	203	12	9	9	1
2000 Beetle	—	—	7	263	8	21	15	1
1999 Beetle	—	—	7	174	17	20	18	0
1998 Beetle	—	—	8	171	14	16	9	0

Crash, fire, injury and death figures are what owners reported in their complaints; NHTSA does not verify them. A year with more complaints is not necessarily worse: newer and best-selling years collect more reports.

Most-reported problem areas, all years

Power train616
Air bags549
Electrical system508
Visibility337
Engine and engine cooling273
Exterior lighting203
Structure166
Unknown or other133