IllustrationTRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE COMMUNICATION ERRORS (P0864) CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN AT HIGH SPEED (55MPH) KILLING POWER STEERING AND ABS SYSTEM ON A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD.
2013 Volkswagen Beetle
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 49.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Beetle years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
1125–50K
1350–75K
475–100K
2100–150K
1150K+
50 reports with mileage · 41 unknown
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 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Steering complaints
6 reportsSTEERING COLUMN LOCK HOUSING IN 2014 & 2016, WE BOUGHT 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLES FOR OUR COLLEGE-BOUND KIDS. SINCE THOSE PURCHASES WE'VE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF EACH VEHICLE'S IGNITION KEYS BEING STUCK IN ITS IGNITION SWITCH. THESE OCCURRENCES HAPPENED BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE RUNNING (INABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE…
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STEERING COLUMN LOCK HOUSING IN 2014 & 2016, WE BOUGHT 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLES FOR OUR COLLEGE-BOUND KIDS. SINCE THOSE PURCHASES WE'VE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF EACH VEHICLE'S IGNITION KEYS BEING STUCK IN ITS IGNITION SWITCH. THESE OCCURRENCES HAPPENED BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE RUNNING (INABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLES OFF) AND WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE NOT RUNNING. WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE RUNNING, THE INABILITY TO EXTRACT THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLES ENGINES OFF. THIS PRESENTED SAFETY HAZARDS. IN APRIL, 2018, WE RECEIVED LETTERS FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. REGARDING A 'WARRANTY EXTENSION' AFFECTING BOTH VEHICLES. IT EXTENDED COVERAGE OF THE 'STEERING COLUMN LOCK HOUSING' ON EACH VEHICLE FOR 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST. BOTH VEHICLES ARE JUST 5 YEARS OLD. HOWEVER, ONE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES (ANGELA'S) AND THE OTHER 105,000 MILES. SO WE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING THEIR LETTERS AND STATED THAT BOTH VEHICLES HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY EACH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AT THEIR EXPENSE. SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET CONFIRMED THAT THIS ISSUE IS SYSTEMIC WITHIN VOLKSWAGEN AND SHOULD HAVE LED TO SOME TYPE OF VEHICLE RECALL BEFORE NOW. WE NEED FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND PROVIDE SOME RELIEF FOR THOSE OF US VEHICLE OWNERS WHO ARE STUCK WITH MASSIVE REPAIR BILLS DUE TO A LACK OF OVERSIGHT OF THIS SYSTEMIC ISSUE BY NHTSA. YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO OUR CONCERN IS SOLICITED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED. THE MOORES, BRASELTON, GA
WE WERE DRIVING HOME IN OUR 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WHEN THE ENGINE DIED CAUSING A LACK OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS IS ACTUALLY THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY WIFE IS PREGNANT AND I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS CAR BEING ABLE TO MOVE MY FAMILY AROUND SAFELY. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND OTHERS HAV…
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WE WERE DRIVING HOME IN OUR 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE WHEN THE ENGINE DIED CAUSING A LACK OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS IS ACTUALLY THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY WIFE IS PREGNANT AND I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS CAR BEING ABLE TO MOVE MY FAMILY AROUND SAFELY. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. THE DEALERS ARE NOT ABLE TO "DUPLICATE" THE ISSUE SO THEY SEND YOU AWAY WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. HOPEFULLY THIS DOES NOT WIND UP BEING A SITUATION SIMILAR TO GM WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIVES BEFORE THE ISSUES ARE CORRECTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
CAR STALLS AND LOOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. 3RD INCIDENT ON CAR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURE CAN'T FIND ANY ISSUE TO REPAIR. *TR
AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY AND COMPLETING A CURVE TO THE RIGHT I WAS ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF THE OFF RAMP GOING APPROX. 35 MPH. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND A MODERATE VIBRATION WAS FELT IN THE FRONT END/BRAKES. THE CAR SPUN OUT AND HIT A SIGN THEN A WALL WITH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Official recalls
620V785000 · 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.
14V656000 · Suspension:rear
Oct 20, 2014
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
14V658000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Oct 20, 2014
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Beetle vehicles manufactured June 13, 2013, to July 3, 2014. The glass sunroofs in the affected vehicles may break when the vehicles are operated over a hard road surface or strike a pothole.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Vehicle occupants could be injured by falling glass. A sunroof break during vehicle operation also increases the risk of driver distraction and a resulting vehicle crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60B9.
12V540000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Nov 15, 2012
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. If the right front passenger seat gets wet, the occupant control module may not properly detect the presence of a child restraint installed in the seat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the control module does not detect a child seat installed, the airbag will not turn off. If the airbag does not turn off, in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment, a child secured in the child seat may be at an increased risk for serious injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the control modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.