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2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 8 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

8 reports
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2025
Air Bags

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (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…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11659273

35,000 miles · May 22, 2024
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a stop sign and removing the foot from the brake pedal, the contact became aware that the hill holder hill assist feature, designed to make hill starts easier by preventing the vehicle from rolling backward was taking longer t…

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The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a stop sign and removing the foot from the brake pedal, the contact became aware that the hill holder hill assist feature, designed to make hill starts easier by preventing the vehicle from rolling backward was taking longer to release the brakes. The contact stated that the time to release the brakes had gradually increased to 10 seconds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brakes were inspected and no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11590213

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2022
Air Bags

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet availa…

Read full complaint

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11446476

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2021
Air Bags

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact had initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts remained unavailable despite having received a letter stating otherwise. The contact calle…

Read full complaint

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact had initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts remained unavailable despite having received a letter stating otherwise. The contact called back the same dealer three weeks later and was informed that they only received a limited supply of parts and could not service her vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11431530

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2021
Air Bags

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V785000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the ma…

Read full complaint

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V785000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11428071

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2021
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V785000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF PALMS SPRINGS (67909 E. PALM CANYON DR, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234, (706)760-11…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V785000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF PALMS SPRINGS (67909 E. PALM CANYON DR, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234, (706)760-1100) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS 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 AVAILABLE.*DT CONSUMER STATED RECALL HAS BEEN REPAIRED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11400413

72,000 miles · May 8, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

PURCHASED AS A CPO VEHICLE IN SEPT '17. STARTED STALLING MONTH LATER. CAR STALLED GOING 50 MPH, STALLED IN A PARKING LOT AND STALLED ON HIGHWAY! VERY DANGEROUS! BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO VW 3 TIMES TO BE FIXED - FINALLY THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND ISSUE SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED. FAST FORWARD 18 MONTHS AND IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN! F…

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PURCHASED AS A CPO VEHICLE IN SEPT '17. STARTED STALLING MONTH LATER. CAR STALLED GOING 50 MPH, STALLED IN A PARKING LOT AND STALLED ON HIGHWAY! VERY DANGEROUS! BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO VW 3 TIMES TO BE FIXED - FINALLY THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND ISSUE SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED. FAST FORWARD 18 MONTHS AND IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN! FIRST IN A PARKING LOT THEN TRAVELLING 40 MPH AND WAS ALMOST RAMMED FROM BEHIND BY A TRUCK. BROUGHT TO VW AGAIN AND THEY CLAIM A SENSOR MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED? I ASKED IF THIS WAS DEFINITELY THE FIX FOR THIS AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE IT. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY RECALLED JETTAS AND CC FOR STALLING ISSUES BUT NOT BEETLES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY INVESTIGATED!

NHTSA ODI #11206312

50,000 miles · Feb 18, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

INCIDENT 1 SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT. AS THE VEHICLE NEARED A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS UNABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE FOR 20 MINUTES. (THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NEVER START.) INCIDENTS 2 THROUGH 4 THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE RESTARTING ON HOT DAYS, BUT I DON'T HAVE DETAILED IN…

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INCIDENT 1 SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT. AS THE VEHICLE NEARED A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS UNABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE FOR 20 MINUTES. (THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NEVER START.) INCIDENTS 2 THROUGH 4 THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE RESTARTING ON HOT DAYS, BUT I DON'T HAVE DETAILED INFORMATION BECAUSE I WAS NOT THE DRIVER. INCIDENTS 5 THROUGH 16 I DROVE THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF. I RETURNED WITHIN ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. ONLY AFTER WAITING 20-25 MINUTES WITHOUT ATTEMPTING TO START DID THE VEHICLE START. THIS HAPPENED 12 TIMES IN ONE DAY. THE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR THE DAY WAS ABOUT 85 DEGREES. I CONTACTED MY MECHANIC ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A FAULTY FUEL-PUMP CONTROL MODULE, AND THAT I SHOULD SPEAK TO VW ABOUT THE RECALL. VW DEALER SAID NO RECALLS ARE PRESENT FOR MY CAR. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A PARTS SPECIALIST AND A MANAGER, THEY DETERMINE THAT, THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, IT USES THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART AS THE PASSAT AND CC. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL VW AND ASK FOR AN EXCEPTION TO THE RECALL. I CALLED VW CORPORATE AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. THE AGENT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE PASSAT AND CC RECALL AND CONFIRMED THAT NO RECALLS WERE PRESENT FOR MY VEHICLE. AFTER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON THE SITUATION, THE REP TOLD ME THE FOLLOWING: "YES, THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. NO, VW WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS THE RECALL IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE YOUR VEHICLE. YOU CAN PAY US TO INSTALL A REPLACEMENT PART AND THAT REPLACEMENT PART WILL ALSO BE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T YET RELEASED AN IMPROVED PART." THE REP EXPLAINED THAT RECALLS ARE GOVERNMENT-MANDATED, AND VW DOES NOT CREATE THEM. I DON'T THINK THIS IS 100% ACCURATE, BUT IT WAS AN "EXCUSE" SHE GAVE. I WAS HORRIFIED BY VW'S ATTITUDE, ADMITTING A DEFECT BUT REFUSING TO FIX. CAN YOU PROVIDE ANY HELP?

NHTSA ODI #11073439

Official recalls

3

20V785000 · Air Bags:frontal

Dec 16, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BC.

19V679000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 25, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

19V615000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Aug 22, 2019

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

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."

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.