← New search

2017 Volkswagen Beetle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected 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: 6 of 15 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 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Back Over Prevention. 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

Unknown Or Other complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2026
Back Over PreventionLane DepartureUnknown Or Other

The rear view camera stopped working (black screen.) I have tried to soft reset the infotainment display unit as well as a hard reset by disconnecting car battery to no avail. The trunk lock mechanism is operational (the rear view camera unit is located in the same unit.)

NHTSA ODI #11737477

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2024
SteeringUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

Hi, one time the car wheel turned extra and the gas went extra fast. I also had several devices on my car through blue tooth that were not mine and mirror link kept checking and AUX. This is conjunction with 3 years of hacking (that I think is technically-assisted abuse) with smart home hub, surveillance, spyware on phone and …

Read full complaint

Hi, one time the car wheel turned extra and the gas went extra fast. I also had several devices on my car through blue tooth that were not mine and mirror link kept checking and AUX. This is conjunction with 3 years of hacking (that I think is technically-assisted abuse) with smart home hub, surveillance, spyware on phone and hacked emails. Tried filling out IC3.gov form to no avail. Took car twice to Volkswagan dealer in Springfield, Pa and paid $100 twice to clear the dashboard but it kept happening with ROAV-FR3 and something FM-FORMAN (cant recall names) and Keyless car detective. Then I paid to remove the car radio. Then I found a Navaro device on passenger side under seat but dealer refused to remove it and when I called Volkswagen from there they said only the dealer knows where the vehicle embedded sim is. They do not know how to check software and say 'it is uncharted territory.' I do not feel safe. There are no laws regarding car hacking and smart home abuse and I am now writing a book for women about it so they are not gas lighted and can get help. This can be a deadly mistake and there needs to be an easy inexpensive place for someone to have their car checked for malware, sim or SD card. Please help. There was a police report but I do not have it. It was on 10/20/24 with colonial Chris McWilliams State police Middletown, PA 19063. He said Navaro device was factory installed but Volkswagan said it was not. Mechanic said it was a satellite radio device

NHTSA ODI #11621980

37,800 miles · Feb 22, 2020
Unknown Or Other

PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR WENT BAD. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY NOW. HAD DRIVER SIDE REPLACED LAST YEAR AND WARRANTY COVERED IT. 1500 MILES OVER WARRANTY NOW

NHTSA ODI #11310737

9,000 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other

NHTSA: 19V615 NOVEMBER 11, 2019, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THIS RECALL 37M2-MICRO SWITCH ON MY 2017 VW BEETLE, WHEN I ARRIVED, I WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THIS RECALL. I AM TRYING TO SELL MY CAR AND IT IS NOT PRUDENT TO TRY TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL ON IT. I WAS FIRST NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL…

Read full complaint

NHTSA: 19V615 NOVEMBER 11, 2019, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THIS RECALL 37M2-MICRO SWITCH ON MY 2017 VW BEETLE, WHEN I ARRIVED, I WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THIS RECALL. I AM TRYING TO SELL MY CAR AND IT IS NOT PRUDENT TO TRY TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH AN OPEN RECALL ON IT. I WAS FIRST NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL IN AUGUST 2019 AND WE ARE NOW IN NOVEMBER 2019 AND ACCORDING TO WHAT I AM TOLD THERE IS STILL NO FIX FOR THIS RECALL. MY QUESTION IS 'WHAT IS THE HOLD UP'? ARE YOU WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE IF YOU ARE, THERE WILL CERTAINLY BE LAWSUITS AGAINST VW FOR NEGLIGENCE? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN SEND OUT A RECALL AND 3 MONTHS LATER STILL NOT HAVE THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO GET THIS REPAIRED. YOU ARE DEFINITELY LEAVING YOURSELVES OPEN FOR SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS, SO MAY I SUGGEST THAT YOU GET THIS SITUATION TAKEN CARE OF ASAP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!

NHTSA ODI #11279476

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2019
Unknown Or Other

ELECTRICAL MOTOR RUNNING NOISE IN REAR AREA OF VEHICLE AFTER ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND KEY REMOVAL. OCCURS EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN RAIN CONDITIONS--REGARDLESS OF SEVERITY OF RAIN. THE NOISE REMAINS FOR UP TP 15 MINUTES AFTER SHUTDOWN AND KEY REMOVAL AND OCCURS ONLY IN WET CONDITIONS. FIRST TIME THERE WAS AN ACRID ODOR AT THE T…

Read full complaint

ELECTRICAL MOTOR RUNNING NOISE IN REAR AREA OF VEHICLE AFTER ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND KEY REMOVAL. OCCURS EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN RAIN CONDITIONS--REGARDLESS OF SEVERITY OF RAIN. THE NOISE REMAINS FOR UP TP 15 MINUTES AFTER SHUTDOWN AND KEY REMOVAL AND OCCURS ONLY IN WET CONDITIONS. FIRST TIME THERE WAS AN ACRID ODOR AT THE TIME OF THE NOISE -- APPEARS TO HAVE CEASED SUBSEQUENTLY BUT THE "RUNNING" NOISE REMAINS. ONLY WHEN DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE NORMAL IN ALL ASPECTS WHEN DRIVING IN DRY CONDITIONS. HAVE HAD AUTHORIZED VW DEALER INSPECT WITH NO RESULTS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, REGARDLESS, THAT THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME IT RAINS. THE ONLY MOTOR I CAN THINK OF IN THE REAR AREA IS THE FUEL PUMP AND HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS OCCURS. SITUATION HAS BEEN WITH THE CAR SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE IN OCTOBER 2017.

NHTSA ODI #11194325

Official recalls

3

24V834000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 30, 2024

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal 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 front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

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.

17V136000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 2, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B9.

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.