RoadVitals

2009 Volkswagen Beetle

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Jan 19, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Sep 25, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, airbags and visibility categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 583 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Exterior lighting617.1%
  • Airbags514.3%
  • Visibility514.3%
  • Electrical38.6%
  • Fuel system38.6%
  • Body & structure25.7%
  • Driver assistance25.7%
  • Engine25.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V679000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sep 25, 2019
113 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 01D7View on NHTSA.gov
10V621000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Dec 10, 2010
228,236 units potentially affected
The defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
The risk: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number 20I4/U1View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 33
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 19, 2024

Heated seat is so hot it burned holes in the seat and my pants.

NHTSA ID
11566484
Incident
Jan 12, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 2, 2023

Headlamps do not stay illuminated regardless of speed. This issue occurs each time the car is used. This is a hazard when driving in low light conditions as others cannot see the vehicle and lack of lighting impairs ones ability to see the road. This issue has not been investigated by a service center. There are no warning indicators that the lights are not functioning. The issue was present when the used vehicle was purchased in 2020.

NHTSA ID
11499731
Incident
Jun 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed Dec 18, 2021

The airbag warning light is constantly lit up on the dashboard. It has been determined that it is a malfunction of the airbag control module and can’t be reset. There has been a recall on previous models of the car, and it should be extended to this model’s year. It poses a risk to safety as if there were to be an issue with the airbags where the light would warn me, I wouldn’t know because the light is already on and it would be impossible to determine if there was a problem. If there is an airbag issue, in case of an accident it would be a huge safety risk. Since this part has already been recalled previously, there is no reason the recall shouldn’t be extended.

NHTSA ID
11444270
Incident
Jul 16, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 24, 2021

headlamp connecters fail to connect at this time passenger side headlamp is not working, headlamp assy, fall out of their buckets in fenders.

NHTSA ID
11422154
Incident
Jun 24, 2021
Filed Oct 6, 2020

AT ~50K MILES THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING. DETERMINED IT WAS THE CABLE STARTING TO SHED STRANDS THAT WOULD BIND THE MOTOR. REPLACED CABLES AND TRIMMED OUT REGULATOR WHICH TOOK ME A WEEKEND TO COMPLETE THE JOB. NOW AT ~63K MILES THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW REGULATOR IS STUCK HALF WAY CLOSED AND ASSUMING IT'S THE SAME ISSUE WITH A POOR DESIGNED CABLE SYSTEM THAT ROUTINELY FAILS. VERY ANNOYING WITH CABLE SYSTEMS NOT ONLY USED FOR THE WINDOW REGULATORS BUT FOR THE RETRACTABLE CONVERTIBLE TOP AND DOOR LATCHES. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ID
11363045
Incident
Sep 11, 2020
Mileage
63,300 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 21, 2020

JUST PURCHASE A USED 2009 VW CONVERTIBLE BEETLE FOR OUR 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THIS IS HER DREAM CAR AND SO EXCITED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON OUR WAY HOME FROM THE CAR LOT. THE ENTIRE HOUSING UNIT JUST GONE. WE PURCHASED THE CAR AS IS, SO WE ORDERED 2 NEW HEADLIGHTS HOUSING UNITS AND HAD THEM INSTALLED YESTERDAY. TODAY, THE FIRST TIME DRIVING SINCE GETTING BACK FROM SHOP, THE PASSENGER HEAD LIGHT HOUSING FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE ONLY 3 MILES FROM LEAVING OUR HOUSE CRASHING ALL OVER THE ROAD BEHIND US WHERE OTHER VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY. WE DID NOT EVEN HIT A BUMP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM FOR ANYONE AND ESPECIALLY A NEW TEEN DRIVER. IT IS NOT SAFE! OUR MECHANIC TOLD US IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. RESEARCHING SEVERAL THREADS HAVE CONCURRED HIS STATEMENT OF LIGHTS FALLING OUT OR CONNECTIONS FREQUENTLY COMING LOOSE SO THE LIGHTS GO OUT AT THE SLIGHTEST BUMP WHILE DRIVING. VW BEETLE LIGHTS ARE GARBAGE. SO VERY DISAPPOINTING VW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT ISSUES FOR THE MORE SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS THE CONTINUOUS EXPENSE OWNERS INCUR HAVING TO REPLACE ENTIRE UNITS, OR BULBS, OR CONNECTIONS AND THE LABOR COSTS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, WE'VE HAD THE CAR A WEEK AND HAVE ALREADY SPENT $500 REPLACING LIGHTS AND THE LABOR AND THEN THE DANG THING FALLS OUT AGAIN. I CERTAINLY DON'T FEEL MY DAUGHTER IS SAFE IF THE HEADLIGHTS FALL OUT EVERY TIME SHE DRIVES IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
11325486
Incident
May 21, 2020
Mileage
78,700 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 8, 2020

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FREQUENTLY OUT. THEY BECOME DISCONNECTED EASILY AND THEN DON'T WORK. I HAVE GONE IN MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET THEM FIXED AND I AM ALWAYS TOLD IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL. MY HEADLIGHT EVEN FELL OUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING ONCE! THE BULBS SEEM TO DIES QUICKLY AS A RESULT AND I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO FIX THEM.

NHTSA ID
11307957
Incident
Feb 8, 2020
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 1, 2019

THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS WILL QUIT WORKING AFTER HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE HEADLIGHT (DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAVE THIS ISSUE) WILL LOOSEN FROM THE PIN MECHANISM INSIDE THE CAR. I REPLACED BULBS 3 TIMES BEFORE REALIZING THE BULBS WERE FINE AND IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE "HOOK" THAT TURNS AND HOLDS THE HEADLIGHT TIGHT WILL JAR AND COME LOOSE WHEN THE CAR HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD. DRIVING HOME LAST WEEK AND MY PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. EVERY MORNING I HAVE TO PUSH THE HEADLIGHTS BACK INTO TURN THE NUT TO SECURE THE LIGHT. BY THE TIME I GET TO WORK AT LEAST ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT AGAIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER 2 YEARS.

NHTSA ID
11265297
Incident
Sep 27, 2019
Mileage
67,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

VOS-26-42

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.

V1718062017813_24

ENGINE

Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement

TT 10-18-02_2

ENGINE

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

TT 13-20-01_3

ENGINE

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

V6919012010479_17

AIR BAGS

Inquiries

V1719012012855_81

ENGINE

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Beetle by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019144054.0
2018164051.3
2017154052.9
2016474053.0
2015836046.1
2014506049.3
2013907051.2
2012657050.2
2011000—
2010303039.8
2009Viewing332041.1
2008603054.6
2007562045.6
20061244049.9
20052616050.0
20043496153.4
20033145152.5
20021658260.8
20012038260.3
20002637362.6
19991747365.3
19981718364.5
1977010—
1974400—
1973130—
1972001—
1971030—
1970100—
1969100—
1968010—
1965100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.