Model year record

2019 Volkswagen Beetle recalls & problems

The 2019 Volkswagen Beetle has 4 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints14filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

2019 Volkswagen Beetle in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsOct 30, 2024

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 24V834000248,330 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

Service brakes, hydraulicSep 23, 2020

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 20E06400038 vehicles

Problem: Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Risk: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemAug 22, 2019

Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module

Recall 19V615000679,027 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module; Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device

Service brakesFeb 13, 2019

Service brakes

Recall 19V0940004,064 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: If the driver is not alerted when there is a problem with brakes, the driver may lose control of the vehicle while attempting to brake, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90L8.

Components: Service brakes; Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2019 Volkswagen Beetle C FWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2019 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.5%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Beetle

29mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Interlock/lockout	4	1	—
Exterior lighting	2	0	—
Engine	2	0	—
Service brakes	2	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	—
Visibility/wiper	1	0	—
Wheels	1	0	—
Power train	1	0	—
Suspension	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
The 2019 Volkswagen Final Edition SE Beetleâs rear trunk latch/lock will fail and not open from the outside with the car unlocked and using the key fob due to it being jammed closed. In an emergency situation, thereâs no manual way to open the rear hatch, and there are no visible markings showing where the override is to be or what to do to open it up from the inside in an emergency. Further, after reading the ownerâs manual, it shows several different ways it can be opened depending on the year the vehicle was built, and the 2019 says to stick the flat end of your key into a slot on the right and slide it to the left to which mine failed and did NOT work. Dealership Service…
Jun 1, 2026
Suspension
Hello, We have owned this vehicle since new. Today it has 28,945 miles. We started hearing a clunking sound from the front left side. We subsequently stopped and verified the suspension and discovered the broken front right suspension spring. Very disappointing to know that a suspension spring would brake at such low mileage. Our internet search found that we are not the only one with such a significant safety problem.
Apr 9, 2026
Unknown or other
A message is continually (every few seconds) displayed on the dashboard stating that the "coolant temperature is 195 degrees" as if it is a warning. It does not seem plausible that the coolant would have reached 195 degrees when the vehicle was just started.
Dec 2, 2023
Service brakes
On Sept. 21, 2023, I was in my 2019 Beetle and pulled into a parking place at a store. When parked, I pressed the electric start button to shut off the vehicle. When the vehicle was shut off, I got out of the car to go into the store. Luckily, I turned my head in the direction of my vehicle and saw it rolling backwards out of the parking space. In a panic, I raced back to the vehicle and jumped into the car. At that point, I had realized that I had not placed the vehicle in Park when I parked the car and it was still in Drive. At that point, I reparked the car, this time placing it in Park before I shut off the vehicle. When I came home, I told my husband what happened. He said it should be…
Sep 21, 2023
Electrical system
The key in the key cylinder or tear lock would not remove. The automobile would not shut down. I looked in YouTube tube and found out that since 2010 this incident has been occurring in Volkswagen beetles I had to extract the fuel pump fuse to stop the engine. And then disconnect the battery. It appears that this problem is pandemic to this automobile if I had been in a remote area it wouldâve been a serious problem. AutoNation Volkswagen in Columbus has estimated the cost to be $1500 to replace the tear lock the cylinder and the bolt.
Jul 8, 2023
Electrical system
My VW Beetle has pushbutton start. The ignition can turn off when not in park. This was called a rollaway problem in keyed ignition models, but not pushbutton. I took it to dealer and they said not covered by warranty and no recall. This is as dangerous as in the keyed ignition model. I saw a report of a similar rollaway that VW refused to cover. Also, apparently pushed button while underway. Engine stopped while in traffic. Rolled to side of road and restarted without incident.
Jul 26, 2022
Service brakes
2019 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE BRAKES WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE BOUGHT BACK OR REPLACED. *JS
Nov 18, 2021
Wheels
Wheel Hubs and Wheel Bolts. All four wheels and almost all the bolts affected. Replaced rear Hubs & all Bolts, after a three bolts were unable to be removed without extra effort by a mechanic. I have one bolt that indicates the bolt threads were deformed. The issue could impact the ability of the bolts to hold the wheels on safely.
Oct 7, 2021

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.