2010 Volkswagen Beetle

Routine

Owners filed 30 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the unknown or other. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
54,450 milesMedian miles at failure

26 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls3
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Service Brakes3
000
Power Train3
000
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000
Electrical System3
000
Steering2
000
Exterior Lighting2
000
Tires1
000
Structure › Body1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Unknown or Other19V679000
Filed Sep 25, 2019113 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Risk. If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

Seats11V031000
Filed Jan 21, 201127 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

Defect. VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NEW BEETLE AND NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE BARRIER TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2010.

Risk. THE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET WITH REQUIREMENTS THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, AND THEREFORE MAY NOT OFFER THE PROTECTION ATTENDANT TO THOSE REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL OFFER TO REPLACE THEIR VEHICLE WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE THAT WAS PRODUCED PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, COMPLIANT WITH FMVSS 208 REQUIREMENTS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Dec 3, 202472,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while having a routine inspection with an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the vehicle had failed the inspection due to the emissions system. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part being on backorder. The vehicle was undriveable. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Tires
Filed Oct 14, 2022200 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Beetle equipped with Barum Tires, Tire Line: Bravuris, Tire Size: 225/45/R17, DOT Number: (Not Provided). The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 65 MPH, the front passenger’s side of the vehicle started to shake, vibrate, and wobble. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the sidewall of the front passenger’s side tire had completely separated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The tire manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 200.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 23, 2022CA

My car only has 43K miles, I had issues when it was 10K miles, where the key will not turn to start the engine, it gets stuck, and sometimes it gets stuck with the steering wheel. The issue was reproducible when I brought it in to the VW dealership near me. The service rep told me it is very common for this model (bug) but they don't know why. They quoted me $1200 to get the LOCK|BOLT|CYLINDER replaced, but the warranty is only 12 months/12K miles. Mind you that it happened when it was 10K miles. Imagine, my wife and 7-year-old stop at a gas station at night and can't start the car because everything is locked. I contacted VW Care, but they don't care unless there is a recall. So, I am filling out this complaint form. Thank you.

Power Train
Filed Sep 25, 2019GA

2010 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FAILED SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MPH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH 30% OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FULL AMOUNT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED DUE TO THE FAILURE BEING KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURE. *JS

Power Train
Filed Sep 9, 201980,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 28, 201916,530 milesIN

THE HEADLIGHT ON MY 2010 NEW BEETLE WENT OUT. IT STARTED TO DIM WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO WORK TONIGHT AND THEN WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE HE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. HE CALLED AND WAS TELLING ME THAT THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WAS DIM AND DID NOT LOOK BRIGHT LIKE THE RIGHT SIDE. HE SENT ME A PICTURE--AND JUST THEN THE LEFT LIGHT WENT COMPLETELY OUT! THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS JUST REPLACED AT A VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CENTER EARLIER TODAY. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 17,000 MILES! THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND CONTINUOUSLY HAVING TO HAVE THEIR HEADLIGHTS FIXED--ONLY TO HAVE THEM GO OUT AGAIN. FORTUNATELY IT WAS ONLY THE ONE SIDE THAT WENT OUT. I HAVE READ THAT PEOPLE WITH 2010 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLES ARE EXPERIENCING PREMATURE HEADLIGHT BULB BURN OUT, HEADLIGHT HARNESS FAILURES AND DAMAGED CONNECTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 23, 201835,000 milesWV

TAKATA RECALL. HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SWITCH WILL NOT ALWAYS TURN ON. THE CALENDAR BELOW WANTS A DATE. THIS CAN BE A DAILY THING, AS I DRIVE IT BACK AND FOURTH TO WORK.09

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 28, 201875,016 milesOH

WATER LEAK INTO REAR HATCH; THIRD BRAKE LIGHT PREMATURE PLASTIC PART FAILURE AT 75,016 MILES. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE RISK OF ACCIDENT OR WATER/ELECTRICAL FIRE.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 16, 2017100,000 milesTX

WHEN I BRAKE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DOES NOT COME ONE SOMETIME AND COMES ON SOMETIMES. I'VE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, PEOPLE FOLLOWING BEHIND ME AND CURSE AT ME FOR MY LIGHTS NOT WORKING.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 30, 201683,000 milesFL

ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STALLS, YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE IT AND IT DOESN'T MOVE AND TURNS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. BIG SAFETY CONCERN. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS BEEN TO THE VW DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT 4 TIMES ALREADY AT KUHN'S IN FLORIDA. ALL SERVICE RECORDS ARE AT THIS DEALER. STILL THE PROBLEM HASN'T BEEN FIXED.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 22, 201648,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS ABLE TO FULLY ROTATE UPON TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH, HOUSING, AND LOCK SET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 10, 201660,000 milesOH

HEAD LIGHT HOUSING ON BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE NOT TO MENTION HOW MANY BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON BOTH SIDE. OCCASIONALLY, IF A BULB GOES OUT THEN ALL LIGHTING SYSTEMS FAIL EVEN IF YOU ARE DRIVING!

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 16, 201555,000 milesWA

FEBRUARY 2015 MY FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING FROM A PRESSED RIDGE AREA OF THE TANK, NOT IN A SEAM, NOT IN A GASKET. TANK REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER SECOND FUEL TANK LEAKING IN SAME AREA. APPEARS TO BE A PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT RELATED TO A WEAK AREA OF THE METAL. FUEL LITERALLY DRIPPING FROM THE TANK ONTO THE GROUND. CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FUEL AND FUMES. THIS HAPPENED RANDOMLY WITHOUT ANY ISSUE OF DAMAGE TO THE TANKS. CONTACTED VW WHO REFUSED TO HELP IN ANY WAY. WE HAVE KEPT THE FIRST TANK FOR OBSERVATION. AT THIS TIME VEHICLE IS PARKED LEAKING FUEL AND UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE ANOTHER TANK, AND END UP WITH SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 16, 201560,000 milesWA

REPORTING AS OF INITIAL COMPLAINT NUMBER 10790654. WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NHTSA REALIZES THERE ARE TWO GAS TANK LEAKS FOR THE 2010 VW BEETLE.

Steering
Filed Jul 14, 201575,000 milesNY

AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 HOURS IN 80 DEGREE WEATHER, I STOP THE CAR TO FILL FOR GASOLINE, AND WHEN STARTING THE CAR TO DRIVE FORWARD ON MY TRIP, THE STEERING WHEEL ERRATICALLY MOVES ON IT'S OWN, AND THEN THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING GOES INTO A FAULT THUS LOSING ALL POWER STEERING. I HAVE BEEN TO NUMEROUS VW DEALERS OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. WHEN I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATE, THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THE FAULT CODE CLEARS ITSELF SO THAT WHEN IT IS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALER, THE DEALER DOES NOT SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING THE CAR CANNOT BE OPERATED SAFELY WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING, AND THIS SHOULD BE A VEHICLE SAFETY RECALL, SINCE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. I ALSO HAVE A VIDEO RECORDED ON MY PHONE OF THE LATEST INCIDENT.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 12, 2015100,831 milesTX

FUEL TANK FAILURE WITH METAL CASTING OF THE TANK CAUSING THE ESCAPE OF EXPLOSIVE FUEL VAPORS AND VEHICLE STALLING. BOTH VW OF AMERICA AND THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP HENDRICK VW OF LEWISVILLE TEXAS WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE SERVICE PROBLEM FIRST AROSE AT 66K MILES THEN FINALLY DIAGNOSED/CORRECTED AT 100K MILES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WOULD NOT WAIVE THE REPAIR COST OF $3165.43 WE HAD TO PAY TO CORRECT THIS MANUFACTURER CASTING DEFECT AS DIAGNOSED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DEALER MANAGER. VW OF AMERICA REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILTY OF THEIR MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND THE HENDRICK VW SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US THEY DID NOT REPRESENT VW!

Structure › Body
Filed May 25, 201518,000 milesFL

DOOR HINGE SUSPENSION THIS IS THE 2ND VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WE HAVE OWNED. 1ST WAS A 2006. BOTH CARS HAVE EXPERIENCED DOOR HINGE ISSUES. MY FEELING IS THE DOORS ARE TOO HEAVY FOR THE HINGE SUSPENSION. IT HAS HAPPENED ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. NOISE, THEN THE SMALL PIN SUSPENSION SNAPS.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 20, 201554,600 milesPA

AT 7AM ON A 5 DEGREE ABOVE ZERO MORNING, MY VW PULLED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE FINE, I DROVE ONE BLOCK, FINE, AT THE SECOND BLOCK'S STOP SIGN, MY BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK I HAD TO DRIVE VERY SLOWLY, BRAKE VERY HARD FOR THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT ALTHOUGH NEVER PART OF A RECALL, THAT THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED BEFORE, AND HAS POTENTIAL TO BE DANGEROUS. FOR EXAMPLE, MY KNEE IS VERY SORE FROM PRESSING ON THE BRAKES, AND IF I HAD BEEN GOING AT A HIGHER SPEED WHEN I FIRST DISCOVERED THE ISSUE - I WOULD HAVE INHERENTLY SLID INTO THE CAR(S) AHEAD OF ME, POSSIBLY CREATING A BAD SITUATION. THE MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER DUE TO AN UNEXPECTED DEMAND. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VW OF AMERICA, FOR SAFETY ISSUES ON A RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE (LESS THAN 55,000 MILES / 4.3 YRS OLD). *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 20, 20159,000 milesPA

NOTICED A SIMILAR COMPLAINT AND WANTED TO ADD THAT SINCE OWNING THE 2010 VW BEETLE, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GETS VERY WARM, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK FEATURE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DISENGAGE, CAUSING THE IGNITION KEY SWITCH TO REMAIN LOCKED. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR 4 YEARS AS THE DEALER SHOWED ME HOW TO DISENGAGE THE LOCKED STEERING WHEEL (PRESS BRAKE PEDAL, TURN KEY IN IGNITION) BUT HAD NO RESPONSE TO THE TEMPERATURE SITUATION. I AM NOT AN IDIOT, I AM SHORT THOUGH, SO IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT BUMPING THE STEERING WHEEL AND LOCKING IT. AS I KEEP THE DOOR OPEN (AIR BRINGS INSIDE TEMPERATURE DOWN), I SWEAT AWAY AS I WAIT FOR THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE THE LOCK SO I CAN TURN THE KEY. ANNOYED. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 26, 201448,287 milesTN

WINDOW HAD BEEN STICKING GOING BACK UP, THEN COMPLETELY FAILED AND FELL DOWN WHILE DRIVING. *TR

20 of 30 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201914400Routine
201817400Do not drive
201715400Routine
201648400Routine
201583600Routine
201450620Routine
201391700Routine
201265700Routine
2010 — this page30300Routine
200933200Routine
200860380Routine
200756211Fatalities reported
2006124410Routine
2005261650Above average
20043496130Above average
2003314570Above average
2002165840Routine
2001203891Fatalities reported
20002637211Fatalities reported
19991747200High concern
19981718160Routine

Compare every Beetle 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: Sep 25, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.