IllustrationKEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WILL NOT POWER OFF, NOT EVEN AFTER TAKING OUT THE BATTERY. VW TOLD ME THEY HAD NO IDEA HOW TO HELP ME AND HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. WHEN I LOOK IT UP ONLINE, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BEETLES AND JETTAS.
2015 Volkswagen Beetle
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 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
180–25K
425–50K
550–75K
075–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
27 reports with mileage · 56 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 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
16 reportsKEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN FOR IT TO POWER OFF. NO RELEASE IN THE CAR TO GET THE KEY OUT THEREFORE THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WITH THE BATTERY DISCONNECTED.
ESP LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CRITICAL ERROR WILL FLASH WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL SUTTER AND WILL NOT START. WHEN VEHICLE IS TAKEN TO HAVE THE ERROR MESSAGE READ NO RECORD IS FOUND IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. MOST RECENTLY AN ERROR MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE SCREEN AND THE WHOLE CAR WENT D…
Read full complaint
ESP LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CRITICAL ERROR WILL FLASH WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL SUTTER AND WILL NOT START. WHEN VEHICLE IS TAKEN TO HAVE THE ERROR MESSAGE READ NO RECORD IS FOUND IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. MOST RECENTLY AN ERROR MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE SCREEN AND THE WHOLE CAR WENT DEAD.
THE BACKUP CAMERA ON THE VEHICLE IS SO DARK TO BE ALMOST UNUSABLE. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY DEVICE, BUT YOU CANNOT IDENTIFY WHAT IS IN YOUR PATH. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THIS AND THEY CANNOT FIND A FAULT OR A WAY TO ADJUST THE IMAGE. THEY CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN TECH SUPPORT WHO OFFERED NO SOLUTION AND DO NOT SEEM T…
Read full complaint
THE BACKUP CAMERA ON THE VEHICLE IS SO DARK TO BE ALMOST UNUSABLE. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY DEVICE, BUT YOU CANNOT IDENTIFY WHAT IS IN YOUR PATH. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THIS AND THEY CANNOT FIND A FAULT OR A WAY TO ADJUST THE IMAGE. THEY CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN TECH SUPPORT WHO OFFERED NO SOLUTION AND DO NOT SEEM TO BE INTERESTED. I HAVE ASKED TO CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY, BUT THEY HAVE NO WAY FOR THE CONSUMER TO DO THAT. THIS CAR HAS THE "PREMIUM 8" RADIO AND NO NAVIGATION. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ODD COMBINATION AS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE ONE FOR COMPARISON WITHIN A 50 MILE RADIUS. AGAIN, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE BACKS OVER A CHILD OR SOMETHING ELSE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE "IGNITION KEY WAS NOT IN RANGE WARNING" APPEARED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION KEY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE "IGNITION KEY WAS NOT IN RANGE WARNING" APPEARED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION KEY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS THAT INCLUDED THE VEHICLE SHUTTING COMPLETELY OFF, OCCASIONALLY NOT BEING ABLE TO START, ALONG WITH DOORS AND WINDOWS OCCASIONALLY NOT OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS THAT INCLUDED THE VEHICLE SHUTTING COMPLETELY OFF, OCCASIONALLY NOT BEING ABLE TO START, ALONG WITH DOORS AND WINDOWS OCCASIONALLY NOT OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE COMPUTER NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY FOB. NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC COMPUTER FAILURE, WHICH COMPLETELY DISABLED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER WITH AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE SECOND VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Official recalls
522V945000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Dec 21, 2022
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.
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: 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.
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.
15V705000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
Oct 26, 2015
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
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.
Consequence: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
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.
Consequence: 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.
15V028000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
Jan 23, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
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.
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.