2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

Routine

Owners filed 16 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags12
000
Electrical System2
000
Steering1
000
Engine1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module22V945000
Filed Dec 21, 202237,558 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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

Remedy. Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69EM.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module19V615000
Filed Aug 22, 2019679,027 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jan 15, 2025130,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) and was repaired; however, approximately 2 years later the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the passenger seat air bag sensor failed to recognize when an occupant was seated in the seat. The dealer stated that the seat needed to be replaced because the air bag sensor was integrated into the seat cushion. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 13, 2023MO

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer was not contacted regarding the recall remedy or to confirm parts availability per the recall letter received informing the contact not to notify a dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue as the number provided on the recall notice was unreachable. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 13, 2023RI

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 30, 2023GA

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 18, 2023CA

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 8, 2023OH

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 17, 2023FL

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 28, 2023PA

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 2023GA

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed May 5, 2023IL

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 31, 2023PA

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 20, 2023FL

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Engine
Filed May 6, 201984,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANCIRA VOLKSWAGEN (6125 BANDERA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CAMSHAFT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.*BF *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 14, 201833,000 milesGA

RANDOMLY YOU CANNOT TURN OFF THE CAR. YOU TRY AND TURN THE KEY AND IT IS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. YOU CAN TURN TOWARD START, BUT NOT OFF. YOU MAY HAVE TO PUT IT IN GEAR AND DRIVE AROUND FOR A FEW MINUTES FOR IT TO TURN OFF. HAVE TRIED TO PUT IN GEAR, AND BACK OUT WITHOUT ANY LUCK, HAVE ALSO TRIED TO FORCE, BUT DO NOT WANT TO BREAK THE KEY. I GUESS IT IS THE SAME AS THE JETTA ISSUE, WHICH THEY HAVE CONFIRMED, AND ARE RESOLVING. IF YOU HAD TO SHUT OFF IN EMERGENCY YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THIS. NOW HAPPENING A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK.

Steering
Filed Aug 14, 201833,000 milesGA

THE CAR HAS ABOUT 33000 MILES. THE BUSHINGS ON THE LINKAGE ARE WORN OUT ALREADY. WE HAVE CLANKING SOUNDS WHEN PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, OR TURNING. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THIS IS TOO SOON. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN PARTS.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 14, 201827,000 milesGA

BLUETOOTH SPEAKERPHONE DOES NOT WORK. IN OUR STATE HANDSFREE CALLING IS REQUIRED. AT THIS POINT IT IS A SAFETY RISK. WE HAVE HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 30 DAYS OVER DIFFERENT TIMES. IT WAS ESCALATED TO VW, BUT ALL THEY COULD DO WAS SAY IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT, AND OFFER 14% TO BUY ANOTHER VW. SEEMS STRANGE THEY WOULD NOT DO MORE WHILE UNDER MFG WARRANTY.

16 of 16 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20191200Routine
20180300Do not drive
20172200Routine
201611200Routine
2015 — this page16200Routine
20144200Routine
20138300Routine
20120300Routine
20100100Routine
20090100Routine
20080100Routine

Compare every Beetle Convertible year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 21, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.