What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2014 Volkswagen Beetle

No clear pattern

22.5% of complaints about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2014 vehicle, but with only 71 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is air bags (15 complaints), typically at 7.4 yr or about 9,000 miles.

Complaints
71
Median age at failure
5.5 yr
Median mileage
20,000 n=46
Crash / fire / tow
5.6% of reports
Safety recalls
6

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
15 reports · 9,000 mi
7.4 yr
6.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V785000 2020-12-16
Air bags:frontal

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.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

20E064000 2020-09-23
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

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.

If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

19V615000 2019-08-22
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module

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."

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.

15V028000 2015-01-23
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail

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.

A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.

14V658000 2014-10-20
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly

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.

Vehicle occupants could be injured by falling glass. A sunroof break during vehicle operation also increases the risk of driver distraction and a resulting vehicle crash.

14V182000 2014-04-15
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines

Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.

The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.

In owners’ own words

Air bags 259 mi 8 mo in service
CLOCKSPRING IN STEERING BROKE CAUSING FAILURE OF ABS, AIRBAG, ESC AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM.CAR WAS BRAND NEW WITH 259 MILES. *TR
Air bags 1,569 mi 9 mo in service
CLOCKSPRING BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME CAUSING FAILURE OF ABS, AIRBAG, ESC AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. SECOND FAILURE OF THE SAME PART IN 3 WEEKS. VOLKSWAGEN IS UNRESPONSIVE. *TR
Air bags 9,000 mi 2.8 yr in service crash / fire / tow
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FOREHEAD AND A FRACTURED STERNUM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

Other Beetle model years

201620152014201320082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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