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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2008–2019

Volkswagen Beetle Convertible recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 42 owner complaints for the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, covering model years 2008 to 2019. The 2015 model year drew the most complaints (16), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Volkswagen Beetle Convertible VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 42 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 11 model years with data (2008–2019)
  • most complaints: 2015 (16 for that model year)
  • top component: Air Bags (32 complaints)
  • latest recall 24V834000 (reported Oct 30, 2024)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Volkswagen Beetle Convertible complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2015 model year has the most complaints: 16 of 42, or 38.1%. Next come 2016 (11) and 2013 (8). The fewest are for 2019, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Volkswagen Beetle Convertible owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2013–2019Column chart of 42 complaints across 7 model years. The highest is 2015 with 16. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2013: 8 complaints820132014: 4 complaints420142015: 16 complaints1620152016: 11 complaints1120162017: 2 complaints220172018: 0 complaints20182019: 1 complaint12019
Volkswagen Beetle Convertible complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Volkswagen Beetle Convertible complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
201380000
201440000
2015160000
2016110000
201720000
201910000
All model years420000

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Volkswagen Beetle Convertible components

top 11 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 32 complaints (76.2% of all 42), followed by Electrical System (4) and Fuel/Propulsion System (2).

Components named most often in Volkswagen Beetle Convertible complaints (top 11)
Components named most often in Volkswagen Beetle Convertible complaints (top 11)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Air Bags3276.2%
Electrical System49.5%
Fuel/Propulsion System24.8%
Engine12.4%
Exterior Lighting12.4%
Latches/Locks/Linkages12.4%
Power Train12.4%
Seats12.4%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12.4%
Steering12.4%
Unknown or Other12.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Volkswagen Beetle Convertible recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Beetle Convertible, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 2008 to 2019. The 2012, 2013 and 2018 model years appear in the most campaigns (3 each).

  • 6 recall campaigns
  • 1 “Do Not Drive” advisory
Volkswagen Beetle Convertible recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2008: 1 campaign2009: 1 campaign
2010: 1 campaign2011: no campaigns2012: 3 campaigns2013: 3 campaigns2014: 2 campaigns2015: 2 campaigns2016: 2 campaigns2017: 2 campaigns2018: 3 campaigns2019: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 24V834000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model years 2017–2019

    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:
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 22V945000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model years 2015–2016

    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:
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 20V785000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model years 2012–2014

    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:
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 19V679000

    Reported

    Unknown or Other

    Model years 2008–2010, 2012–2013

    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:
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 19V615000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control Module; Steering › Column Locking › Anti-Theft Device

    Model years 2012–2019

    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:
    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.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 18V369000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper

    Model year 2018

    NHTSA “Do Not Drive” advisory: affected vehicles should not be driven until the recall repair is done.

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

    Consequence:
    A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Volkswagen Beetle Convertible questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, covering model years 2008 to 2019. The most recent, 24V834000, was reported on October 30, 2024 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2012, 2013 and 2018 model years are covered by the most campaigns (3 each).

Which Volkswagen Beetle Convertible model year has the most complaints?

The 2015 model year, with 16 of the 42 complaints in NHTSA’s file (38.1%). The next are 2016 (11) and 2013 (8). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Volkswagen Beetle Convertible complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 32 complaints, or 76.2% of all 42. Electrical System (4) and Fuel/Propulsion System (2) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Volkswagen Beetle Convertible?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Volkswagen dealer.

How many Volkswagen Beetle Convertible complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 42 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Volkswagen models

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Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.