IllustrationI HEARD A LOUD METAL CLANG IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR WHEN I WAS BACKING UP IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE TECH PERFORMED INSPECTION AND FOUND DRIVER FRONT SPRING BROKEN AND BEARING DROPPED TO MIDDLE OF STRUT. FRONT SPRINGS, UPPER MOUNTS, AND BEARINGS REPLACED.
2016 Volkswagen Beetle
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 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
Limited mileage data: 10 of 48 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 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 3 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 reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
48 reportsSTARTED THE CAR AND HAD WORMING LIGHTS ON. IT DID IT BEFORE A COUPLE DAYS AGO BUT WENT OUT. THIS TIME THE LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF AND WON'T GO OVER 20 MPH. THE ABS LIGHT,STABILITY LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHTS AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ARE ON. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS JUST READING OF SOMEONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NO RECA…
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STARTED THE CAR AND HAD WORMING LIGHTS ON. IT DID IT BEFORE A COUPLE DAYS AGO BUT WENT OUT. THIS TIME THE LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF AND WON'T GO OVER 20 MPH. THE ABS LIGHT,STABILITY LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHTS AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ARE ON. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS JUST READING OF SOMEONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL
IGINTION KEY STUCK IN ON POSITION AND COULD NOT TURN OFF VEHICLE. WAS PARKED AT SHOPPING CENTER.
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AT 40 MPH. HANKOOK TIRES. NOTHING WAS STRUCK AND THE TIRES HAD NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE. SMOOTH CITY STREET.
VEHICLE HORN DOES NOT WORK. INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. WHEN HORN DOES NOT WORK YOU CAN HERE THE RELAY CLICKING WHEN HORN IS PRESSED BUT NO SOUND. SEND THAT HORN IS NOT RECEIVING CURRENT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, FOR EXAMPLE I WAS UNABLE TO ALERT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS REVERSING THAT WAS UNABLE TO SEE ME. WE WERE IN A PARKIN…
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VEHICLE HORN DOES NOT WORK. INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. WHEN HORN DOES NOT WORK YOU CAN HERE THE RELAY CLICKING WHEN HORN IS PRESSED BUT NO SOUND. SEND THAT HORN IS NOT RECEIVING CURRENT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, FOR EXAMPLE I WAS UNABLE TO ALERT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS REVERSING THAT WAS UNABLE TO SEE ME. WE WERE IN A PARKING STRUCTURE WAITING FOR A PARKING SPOT. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME FOUND A PARKING BUT REQUIRED TO REVERSE TO PULL IN TO DESIGNATED STALL. THE LARGE VEHICLE COULD NOT SEE MY SMALL BEETLE AND REVERSED INTO ME. I HONKED THE GOTTEN BUT HORN WOULD NOT HONK. I WAS QUICK ENOUGH TO SET MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND AVOID ANY DAMAGE. AFTER REVIEWING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OTHER 2016 VW BEETLES, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE.
2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ECM SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MOVING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATEST DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM D…
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2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ECM SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MOVING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATEST DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM DIDN'T NOTIFY HER THAT THE AIR IN THE TIRE WAS LOW. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE. *JS *JS THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER STRIKING AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED SOMEONE SEEMED TO HAVE TAMPERED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT APPEARED THE RADIO WAS HACKED. THE MUSIC VOLUME WOULD OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WAS INOPERABLE. *JS
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE.
THE DEALERSHIP STATES THE RIGHT FRONT ABS HARNESS CAME OFF FIRST AND RUBBED THROUGH CAUSING A BUNCH OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THEY STATES THE ABS HARNESS CAME OFF BECAUSE THE HARNESS BRACKET WAS BENT. THIS IS A 12 AND A HALF MONTH OLD VEHICLE WHICH HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NO HISTORY OF HITTING ANYTHING.…
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THE DEALERSHIP STATES THE RIGHT FRONT ABS HARNESS CAME OFF FIRST AND RUBBED THROUGH CAUSING A BUNCH OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THEY STATES THE ABS HARNESS CAME OFF BECAUSE THE HARNESS BRACKET WAS BENT. THIS IS A 12 AND A HALF MONTH OLD VEHICLE WHICH HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NO HISTORY OF HITTING ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED OUT IN FAILURE MODE AND WAS NOT LIKE THIS THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THIS CREATED UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS BECAUSE THE PCM PUT THE VEHICLE IN LIMP MODE. WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Official recalls
322V945000 · 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.
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.