Owners filed 56 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 2 times.
When it fails
04865848,658 milesMedian miles at failure
49 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags
15
0
0
1
Power Train
10
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
3
0
0
0
Seat Belts
3
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting
3
0
0
0
Electrical System
3
0
0
0
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
2
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
2
1
0
0
Structure › Body
2
0
0
0
Seats
2
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings10V621000
Filed Dec 10, 2010228,236 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc
Defect. VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
Risk. IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Filed Feb 20, 20071,002,000 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Risk. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Air Bags1 injured1 killed
Filed Mar 5, 2022NC
Cranked the car to move it and the drivers side airbag deployed with a massive amount of force. Did not move the car. As soon as in cranked I heard and felt the explosion of the airbag. Sent pieces of plastic and airbag towards me and shoved me into the door. I have a bruised wrist and my ears are ringing. This a concern from now on. I no longer want to cranked the car as more airbags may be faulty.
Air Bags
Filed Mar 9, 2021OH
ON AIRBAGS DRIVER LIGHT FOR AIRBAG IS ON WON'T GO OFF.ON TRANSMISSION IT JERKS THE WHEN IT'S IN 6 IT RUNS FINE.. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS WITH THIS CAR.THANK YOU
Engine
Filed Mar 3, 202191,000 milesFL
2ND BEETLE. SAME ISSUE. (FIRST ONE LEAKED FLUID). THIS ONE DOES NOT LEAK BUT HAS THE SAME HORRIBLE SHIFTING ISSUE! I LOVE MY CAR BUT HEAR FROM ALL THE MECHANICS THAT THIS IS THE NORM WITH THESE VEHICLES. SO WHY IS IT NOT RECALLED????? IS IT TRANSMISSION OR SOMETHING ELSE? 2007 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT HAS 91,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE CAR TRANSMISSION IS COLD IT SHIFTS OK MOST OF THE TIME. BUT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HAS WARMED UP ITS A GIVEN TO JERK AND HESITATE. SPECIALLY WHEN IT SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR I FEEL A HITTING NOISE. ALSO FACING THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN IT DOWN SHIFTS BUT NOT ALWAYS. EMBARRASSING REALLY! SOMETIMES IT SHIFTS HARD IN HIGHER GEAR ON HIGHWAY OR SEEMS TO MISS AND RPM GOES UP AND IT HESITATES TO SHIFT. IT FINALLY DOES WHILE I AM HOLDING MY BREATH AND PRAY IT DOES NOT STALL WHILE I AM TURNING OR IN THE INTERSECTION OR ON THE HIGHWAY. IT REALLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE! I LOVE MY LITTLE CAR THOUGH... GURRRRRRRRR.. SO MAD. WHAT COULD BE THE ISSUE? HOW COULD I FIX THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT ON A LIFT TO ALWAYS CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID. I WANT TO KEEP THE CAR, ITS A SHAME BECAUSE ITS IN GREAT CONDITION. TRIPLE WHITE CONVERTIBLE AND NO WEAR. AM I LOOKING AT 3K FOR A NEW TRANS? SO I AM TO GIVE UP AND SELL IT TO SOME OTHER POOR SOUL (SUCKER). THAT'S AWFUL. THERE IS A GRAVEYARD FULL OF YOUR CARS IN THE JUNK YARDS FOR PARTS.. SICKENING AND SAD!
Air Bags
Filed Aug 9, 202048,658 milesCA
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER START. CONSTANTLY ON EVEN WHEN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS ARE ENGAGED. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! RECALL NOW. I SEE THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER A DECADE!
Power Train
Filed Apr 15, 202076,000 milesFL
CAR HESITATED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION 'GRABBED' WITHIN 3 OR 4 SECONDS. EACH TIME I CAME CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT, BUT DIDN'T THANKS TO THE ALERTNESS OF OTHER DRIVERS. *TR
Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 5, 2019144,000 milesNJ
MASSIVE PROBLEM WITH THE 09G AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. BOTH THE VALVE BODY AND THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION SUFFERS FROM POOR DESIGN WHICH OVER TIME LEADS TO HARD SHIFTS THROUGH GEARS. ESPECIALLY PROMINENT WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM 1 - 2 & 3. DOWNSHIFTING FROM 4 TO 3 - 1 IS ALSO SIMILARLY EFFECTED. IT HAPPENS UNDER ALL CONDITIONS. HOT, COLD, DRY, WET, ALL THE SAME "JERKING"/SHUDDER MOTION. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THE 09G TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE MK4 PLATFORM (BEETLE 2006 - 2010) AND HONOR THEIR WORK.
Air Bags
Filed Apr 5, 20191,000,460 milesMD
THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT AIR BAG SENSOR WENT BAD. THE VW DEALERSHIP SAID THE PARTS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE I HAVE SEEN, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT VW HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS BY NOW! THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THIS COULD LEAD TO DEATH! AGAIN THERE NEEDS TO BE ACTION TAKEN AND A RECALL ISSUED BEFORE ANYONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED! MY SEATBELT AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER THINKING THAT MAYBE THE BELT WASN'T FASTENED ALL THE WAY. THE LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OUT SO I DROVE IT TO A GARAGE WHERE IT SAT UNTIL TODAY STILL NOT FIXED DUE TO PART BEING DISCONTINUED! AGAIN SAFETY HAZARD AS THE AIR BAGS ARE NON FUNCTIONAL!
Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 24, 2018NC
WENT AND REPLACED RT HEAD LAMP, STILL WON'T WORK, CAR HAS 26000 MILES ON IT.
Power Train
Filed Nov 11, 201888,000 milesIL
AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES MY DAUGHTER PULL ON TO A MAIN ROAD AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED CHANGING IN TO SECOND AND OTHER GEARS. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET UP TO SPEED CAUSING OTHER CARS TO HAVE TO SLOW WAY DOWN BEHIND HER. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 88,000 MILES.
Air Bags
Filed Aug 15, 201865,000 milesVA
"TAKATA RECALL" (?) SRS WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. 65000 MILES ON VEHICLE. CODE (00591) INDICATES FAULT IN DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT/SAFETY BELT.
Air Bags
Filed May 20, 201839,595 milesVA
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE NOT READING THAT SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED CAUSING YELLOW SEAT BELT /AIR BAG LIGHT TO REMAIN ON AND MAKING AIR BAGS INOPERABLE I'M GUESSING. DEARLER RECOMMENDS NEW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.
Air Bags
Filed Apr 4, 201882,000 milesNC
TAKATA RECALL, AIR BAG LIGHT ON
Air Bags
Filed Jan 9, 201890,000 milesMT
FOR YEARS, VOLKSWAGEN HAS HAD A DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS. MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON AS IS THE "AIR BAG" LIGHT SO I TOOK IT TO A VW MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW AND AUDI. HE CLEARED THE FAULT USING A DIAGNOSTICS TOOL. SOON THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. AND THEY STAY ON...! WILL MY AIR BAG WORK WITH THIS PROBLEM? WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET AN ENGINE PROBLEM SUCH AS OIL PUMP OR TIMING BELT? MY VEHICLE COULD SHUT DOWN WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AND AGAIN, WILL MY AIR BAG WORK? WE HAVE LOOKED ONLINE...THIS SEAT BELT WIRING DESIGN FLAW HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. YET, VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. THE MECHANIC WE USED SAYS THE SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS IS TOO SHORT...THEREFORE, WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED FORWARD IT BREAKS WIRING IN THE HARNESS. THE DEALER WANTS $600 TO FIX THIS. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY! I AM ON SSDI.
Seat Belts
Filed Jan 5, 201880,000 milesMT
THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" STAYS ON. WE USED A DECODER AND IT GAVE A FAULT TO THE SEAT BELT. WE TRIED TO CLEAR THE CODE BUT COULD NOT GET RID OF THE CODE. I DID ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW BEETLES. THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" IS A VITAL PART OF POSSIBLE PROBLEMS. SINCE WE CANNOT CLEAR THE CODE THAT THAT LIGHT ON IN OUR DASH, WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF ANOTHER ISSUE OCCURS. WHAT IF GET A BAD OIL PUMP OR TIMING BELT PROBLEM? WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT ISSUE IS TIED INTO THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT". VERY DANGEROUS! WE ARE ON SSI AND CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE OUR CAR TO A DEALER. THEY WANT $600 TO FIX THE SEAT BELT ISSUE. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A BIG ISSUE WITH VW BEETLES AS WE HAVE SEEN ONLINE. MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS!!! THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT ISSUE! I HAVE SEEN THAT THEIR SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESSES ARE ABOUT TWO INCHES TOO SHORT...THUS CAUSING THE WIRES TO BREAK AND CAUSE THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CONDITION THAT WE HAVE. PLEASE HAVE VW DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 17, 201769,703 milesTN
THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE TRUNK - NOT OPENING - THE KEY DOESN'T WORK OR THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR ? I'M TAKING IT TO GET CHECKED BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 8, 201725,000 milesNC
THE BACK GLASS WINDOW ON THE SOFT TOP CONVERTIBLE IS COMING LOOSE. IF I DRIVE THE GLASS WINDOW WILL DROP AND SHATTER. IF PARKED OUTSIDE, AND IT RAINS, THE ENTIRE BACK SEAT AND TRUNK WILL GET WET.
Air Bags
Filed Nov 30, 201654,000 milesNC
I HAVE A 2007 VW NEW BEETLE. I AM EXPERIENCING A MALFUNCTIONING AIRBAG ISSUE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THE 2007 NEW BEETLE WAS NOT INITIALLY INCLUDED IN THE 2007 RECALL BUT I AM ASKING FOR A RECONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE 12/2015. NO MATTER WHAT IS DONE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION, THE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO EMIT. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO CLARIFY IF MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE FAULTY AIRBAGS. DUE TO POSSIBLE SEVERITY OF THIS SITUATION, NO VEHICLE SHOULD BE ERRONEOUSLY OMITTED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF DANGER EXISTING. I APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.
Structure › Body
Filed Jun 17, 201634,000 milesVA
REAR WINDOW ON CONVERTIBLE SEPARATES FROM TOP
Air Bags
Filed May 11, 2016NC
I OWN A 2013 PASSAT AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO; ONLY TO BE TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN IT WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY UNTIL I REACHED OUT TO YOUR OFFICE AND MY MATTER WAS INVESTIGATED ONLY TO FIND THAT L AS MILLION OTHER CUSTOMERS WERE ALSO AFFECTED AND A RECALL WAS INITIATED AND MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AS A RESULT. I RECEIVED ANOTHER EMAIL (ENCLOSED) THAT INFORMED ME OF ANOTHER RECALL, BUT MY 2007 NEW BEETLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AS WELL . AFTER SPEAKING WITH VW; THEY WERE UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF MY 2007 SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN ON EITHER THE 2007 JETTA OR THE PASSAT ACCORDING TO THE VW REP.. THERE HAS BEEN A COMPLETE COVER-UP BY VW, AND I BELIEVE ALL MODELS HAS BEEN AFFECTED AND THE TAKATA AIRBAG IS IN MY 2007 AS WELL AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS THEY ARE UNABLE TO DEFINITIVELY SAY THAT MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE THAT PARTICULAR BRAND. I BELIEVE IT DOES AND SHOULD BE A PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL AS WELL. THE LETTER CLEARLY SAYS SOME 2007 MODELS. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOUR OFFICE TOOK SUCH SWIFT ACTION WITH MY FIRST COMPLAINT WHICH CONFIRMED THAT MY ISSUE WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT RATHER WORLDWIDE AND A HUGE COVER UP ON THE PART OF WW. NO ONE SHOULD RIDE AROUND UNSAFE AND I ASK THAT YOU TAKE MY COMPLAINT INTO CONSIDERATION BY ADDING THE NEW BEETLE TO THE LIST AS WELL. ENCLOSED IS THE LETTER SENT FROM VW. THANK YOU :) *TR
Unknown or Other
Filed May 2, 201699,000 milesPA
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS JERKING AND ALSO STALLS ON HIGHWAYS ALMOST GETTING KILLED.
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 10, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.