2016 Volkswagen Beetle

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.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

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.

Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.

Risk. If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an air bag failure shortly after the recall repair. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a driver’s side air bag failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

ABS module is defective. This results in numerous warning lights, including abs, traction control, airbags, tire pressure warning, check engine light, epc light, and speed control usability. I have no working abs, seat belt, or traction control, which is a safety issue. There was a previous safety recall for VW with defective abs control modules, 45F2. The problem has been confirmed through an authorized VW repair shop. The part will be made available.

On October 21st I had a recall performed at Evansville D- Patrick for a 37M2 shift lever micro switch. Today Nov 5th I was leaving work, pulling out of the drive onto highway and once I got on the road the car lost motion and just rolled. Barely made it across the highway. I got across the street into another lot. Turned car off and back on. You can hear the throttle but tires would not move. It would not go into any gear. It wouldn’t even go into park. It would roll no matter what the gear shifter was in. The work they did was in the gear shifter. So whatever work they performed was not done right. The sensor was bad they installed possibly or they didn’t connect the linkage or cables of some sort back I’m thinking. To have that recall done then have an issue with it that has to do with going into park is very odd. Especially to have an issue like that after having the appointment so close. I plan to have it towed to dealership but they are already trying to say it’s not something they did. Everything I’ve looked at with the recall correlates with the gear shifter which is what I had issues with today. The car can not move and I barely made it across the road before a semi came. They should definitely be held accountable for covering the cost of repairs or fixing the recall correctly.

I purchased a 2016 VW Beetle, used, in March of 2025. Over the past few weeks, I have received multiple urgent messages from Volkswagon that I need to have the airbag fixed. The communications say there is a high risk of death or serious injury and urge me to my have the repair done ASAP. They have sent multiple mailings to me and made several phone calls to my home. I am doing everything in my power to get this fixed. I have called all the local dealerships within a 50 mile radius, but they do not have the appropriate parts in stock, and have no idea when parts will be available. I am told that the car is safe to drive (which is the exact opposite of what the mailings say) and they tell me to simply "call back in a month". I have also tried calling customer service at Volkswagon HQ, as well as the 800 numbers on my mailings. No luck. This is not acceptable. With such a dangerous issue, how can this be allowed? These cars need to be fixed.....many Volkswagon owners are TRYING to get them fixed....but Volkswagon is just shrugging their shoulders and saying there is nothing they can do. I'm attaching a copy of the message I received in the mail just this week. You can see how urgent they have indicated this is. They mailed it out KNOWING they do not have the parts available to do my repairs. They scare us that we'll be killed if we don't get the repair done immediately, yet when I call to schedule my repair, all I get is "sorry, we can't help you."

See attached document for complaint

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. 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 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

We have been attempting to have the car in for this recall - however both the dealership and regional office have said the 'repair is not available' How long does a mfg have to start making repairs under a recall (69EM) We have been patiently waiting over a year. Please advise.

Have not heard anything since February 2023 regarding repair of driver's side air bag inflator. 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 resulting in serious injury or death.

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT HAS YET TO BE FIXED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS SENT TO DEALERS. Manufacturer Recall Number69EM NHTSA Recall Number22V945 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary The driver's side airbag 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. Safety Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. 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 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 and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. 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 stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The failure mileage was 10,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. 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.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. 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.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. 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.

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The 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. Additionally, the contact stated that the TPMS warning light and the air bag warning light were intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that on two separate occasions while driving at approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently jerked and veered to the left or right side of the road. The contact also stated that on multiple occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and started shuddering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side lower ball joint failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Airbag recall still not having a solution

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. 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

Subject: Urgent Request for Immediate Assistance: Inoperable Car due to Airbag Recall Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I am writing to urgently seek your assistance regarding a critical issue with my 2016 VW Beetle. As a result of the airbag recall, my car is currently inoperable, preventing me from starting it and hindering my ability to commute and carry out essential daily activities. Given the circumstances, I am in immediate need of a replacement vehicle to ensure my mobility and minimize any further disruption to my routine. I kindly request your prompt intervention to facilitate the provision of another car as soon as possible. I understand the importance of prioritizing safety and appreciate your efforts in overseeing recalls. I trust that you will understand the urgency of my situation and take swift action to address my request for an expedited solution. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss this matter further and provide guidance on the next steps to obtain the necessary assistance. Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.