RoadVitals

2009 Volkswagen Beetle Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Exterior lighting617.1%
  • Airbags514.3%
  • Visibility514.3%
  • Electrical38.6%
  • Fuel system38.6%
  • Body & structure25.7%
  • Driver assistance25.7%
  • Engine25.7%
  • Seat belts25.7%
  • Steering25.7%
  • Interior & seats12.9%
  • Powertrain (other)12.9%
  • Transmission12.9%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 2, 2023

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 · filed Jun 24, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 18, 2021

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON LAST SPRING TOOK IT DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY AND THEY CHARGED ME 110 TO TELL ME MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON 900 TO HAVE FAULTY AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE REPLACED.. I AM WAITING ON A RECALL BUT WANTED TO REPORT THE ISSUE. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THAT'S WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON

NHTSA ID 11176390 · filed Feb 11, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE AND CLOSE THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO REPLACED THE MOTOR REGULATOR. HOWEVER, THE REMEDY REPAIR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ID 10608530 · filed Jul 7, 2014

THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO BACK UP WENT TO DEALER AND WAS CHARGED $700, FOUR MONTHS LATER THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW IS DOING THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10532248 · filed Jul 28, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

A YEAR AGO I HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FIXED, AND SINCE THEN, THE WINDOW HAS BEEN FAULTY. I OWN A CONVERTIBLE, SO THE WINDOWS ARE SUPPOSED TO GO DOWN HALF AN INCH AND MINE DOES NOT. MOST TIMES WHEN I CLOSE THE DOOR, THE WINDOW IS OVER THE TOP OF THE CAR, LEAVING A CRACK BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND MY CAR DOOR. LAST NIGHT, JULY 30TH OF 2017, I HAD ROLLED DOWN MY BACK WINDOW WHILE IDLE AND HEARD SOMETHING COMPAREABLE TO A FORK IN A GARBAGE DISPOSAL. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN BECAUSE I KNEW IT WOULD NOT COME BACK UP, SEEING AS I HAD JUST FIXED THIS PROBLEM LESS THAN A YEAR AGO WITH THE FRONT WINDOW WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED AND MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK AND A HALF. I PROCEEDED TO LOOK ONLINE TO LOOK FOR A RECALL WITH NO LUCK. ALTHOUGH I DID FIND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE. NOT ONLY IS THIS FIX QUITE COSTLY, BUT IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT TO MENTION THAT IT'S NOT DUE TO THE CARELESSNESS OF THE OWNER, BUT SIMPLY FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER. I PROCEEDED TO CALL VW WITH NO LUCK BUT TO BE DIRECTED HERE TO YOU. I'M ASKING FOR A RECALL TO BE PUT INTO ACTION. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID 11011697 · filed Jul 31, 2017

MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. FIRST IS WAS ON THE TWO BACK PASSENGER WINDOW. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER WINDOW FAILED TO WORK. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT IT WAS THE REGULATOR THAT NEEDED REPLACING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THAT VW SHOULD PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. EACH WINDOW COST 500 TO 600 DOLLARS.

NHTSA ID 10944233 · filed Jan 11, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ENGINE STALLIG USUALLY WHEN TURNING, AFTER A STOP, WHEN GOING SLOW... WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS ISSUE BY TAKING THE CAR TO MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T RULE OUT A SOLUTION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IT SEEMS TO BE WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN WARMED UP. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VERY SCARY BECAUSE THERE'S LOSS OF STEERING WHEEL POWER AND IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAVE CHANGED NUMEROUS THINGS AND IT KEEPS GIVING US THIS ISSUE. SOMETIMES IT IDLES ROUGH. SOMETIMES THE NEEDLE WHERE THE RPMS ARE DROPS BUT COMES BACK UP. WE HAVE EXHAUSTED OUR OPTIONS AND WE CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION

NHTSA ID 11091999 · filed May 4, 2018

AFTER A BUSINESS TRIP INTO AUSTIN MY VEHICLE STARTED JERKING WHEN I WOULD BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING JUST MY CAR ACTING DIFFERENT BECAUSE THE THE IMMEDIATE CHANGE IN SPEED GOING FROM 85 TO ABOUT 40 TO EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE. ON THE WAY TO HOUSTON THERE WAS NO TROUBLE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE FOLLOWING EVENING BEING MY FIRST TIME DRIVING IT ALL DAY, I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN MY VEHICLE JERKED 4 OR 5 TIMES THEN STOPPED WHEN THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE BATTERY AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS AT A STOP SIGN. I TURNED OFF MY CAR THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE WHEEL WAS UNLOCKED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS OFF, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE IF IT WOULD DO IT AGAIN AND IT DIDN'T, BUT I STILL REFUSE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL I KNOW WHAT'S WRONG.

NHTSA ID 10895837 · filed Aug 15, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ALL 4 WIDOW REGULATORS AND/OR CABLES HAVE FAILED, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. WITHOUT FIXING, THE WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP AND DOWN. THE COST WILL EXCEED $1000.

NHTSA ID 10939197 · filed Jan 3, 2017

SUBJECT: SAFETY ISSUE I OWN A 2009 VW BEETLE/2 DOOR COUPE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER SHIELDS TWICE. THESE SHIELDS, BAFFLES AND COVER PLATES ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE AND ADD UP TO MY GREATEST REPAIR COST FOR THIS VEHICLE. AS YOU KNOW, THEY ARE NOT REPAIRABLE. MY MOST RECENT EXPERIENCE IS WHAT HAS PROMPTED ME TO WRITE YOU. I DROVE MY CAR FROM MY HOME IN OZARK, MO TO DUBUQUE, IA THIS PAST JUNE THE ENTIRE TRIP IS ON GOOD TWO LANE OR FOUR LANE HIGHWAY. DURING THE TRIP, AFTER CROSSING A BRIDGE, I NOTICED A TERRIBLE SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR. IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING. IT WAS. THE SHIELD UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DRAGGING. THE SHIELD MADE OF PLASTIC WAS ONLY ATTACHED TOGETHER WITH SMALL RUBBER CLIPS. THERE WAS NO WAY TO REPLACE THE CLIPS. THERE WERE NO SCREWS OR ANY OTHER ATTACHMENT TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. IF THE SHIELD HAD COMPLETELY DISLODGED I DO NOT KNOW WHAT DAMAGE MAY HAVE OCCURRED TO THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR, BUT I DO KNOW THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WOULD HAVE BEEN FACED WITH A RUBBER SHIELD TOSSING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIM. THE REPAIR COST FOR THIS ONE INCIDENT WAS $357.32. I HAVE NOW PAID A TOTAL OF OVER $700 IN THE PAST TWO YEARS FOR THIS ONE ITEM ON MY CAR. THIS REPAIR EXPENSE IS ENOUGH MONEY TO CONVINCE ME TO BUY A DIFFERENT CAR. I LOVE THE WAY THE CAR HANDLES, BUT A $700 REPAIR BILL IN TWO YEARS IS TOO MUCH TO LIVE WITH. *JB

NHTSA ID 10542130 · filed Sep 5, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ENGINE STALLIG USUALLY WHEN TURNING, AFTER A STOP, WHEN GOING SLOW... WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS ISSUE BY TAKING THE CAR TO MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T RULE OUT A SOLUTION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IT SEEMS TO BE WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN WARMED UP. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VERY SCARY BECAUSE THERE'S LOSS OF STEERING WHEEL POWER AND IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAVE CHANGED NUMEROUS THINGS AND IT KEEPS GIVING US THIS ISSUE. SOMETIMES IT IDLES ROUGH. SOMETIMES THE NEEDLE WHERE THE RPMS ARE DROPS BUT COMES BACK UP. WE HAVE EXHAUSTED OUR OPTIONS AND WE CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION

NHTSA ID 11091999 · filed May 4, 2018

WHILE SLOWLY APPROACHING A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING CENTER MY 2009 VW BEETLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPING OVER THE CURB AND SIDEWALK, AND CRASHING INTO THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. IT THEN REBOUNDED ABOUT 6-8 FEET. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T.

NHTSA ID 10846319 · filed Mar 13, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ENGINE STALLIG USUALLY WHEN TURNING, AFTER A STOP, WHEN GOING SLOW... WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS ISSUE BY TAKING THE CAR TO MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T RULE OUT A SOLUTION BECAUSE IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IT SEEMS TO BE WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN WARMED UP. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VERY SCARY BECAUSE THERE'S LOSS OF STEERING WHEEL POWER AND IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAVE CHANGED NUMEROUS THINGS AND IT KEEPS GIVING US THIS ISSUE. SOMETIMES IT IDLES ROUGH. SOMETIMES THE NEEDLE WHERE THE RPMS ARE DROPS BUT COMES BACK UP. WE HAVE EXHAUSTED OUR OPTIONS AND WE CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION

NHTSA ID 11091999 · filed May 4, 2018

AFTER A BUSINESS TRIP INTO AUSTIN MY VEHICLE STARTED JERKING WHEN I WOULD BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING JUST MY CAR ACTING DIFFERENT BECAUSE THE THE IMMEDIATE CHANGE IN SPEED GOING FROM 85 TO ABOUT 40 TO EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE. ON THE WAY TO HOUSTON THERE WAS NO TROUBLE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE FOLLOWING EVENING BEING MY FIRST TIME DRIVING IT ALL DAY, I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN MY VEHICLE JERKED 4 OR 5 TIMES THEN STOPPED WHEN THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE BATTERY AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS AT A STOP SIGN. I TURNED OFF MY CAR THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE WHEEL WAS UNLOCKED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS OFF, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE IF IT WOULD DO IT AGAIN AND IT DIDN'T, BUT I STILL REFUSE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL I KNOW WHAT'S WRONG.

NHTSA ID 10895837 · filed Aug 15, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER AND PASSANGER SEAT BELT CATCHES AND LATER RELEASES RESULTING IN A LOOSE SEATBELT. ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT WHERE IT ATTATCHES TO THE VEHICLE ITSELF IS ALLOWED TO SLIDE BACK AND FORTH ACCORDING TO THE SEATS ADJUSTMENTS. HOWEVER, ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE OF THE SLIDING BAR RESPONSIBLE TO HOLD THE BELT HAS A 90 DEGREE NOTCH WHERE THE BAR ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. WHEN THE USER USES RESTRAINS THEMSELF MORE OFTEN THEN NOT THE BELT CATCHES IN THIS NOTCH AREA. NOT ALLOWING THE BELT TO PROPERLY SLIDE FORWARD INTO THE USERS CURRENTS POSITION. THUS DURING SOME POINT OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE BELT FREES ITSELFS FROM THE BACK 90 DEGREE PORTIONS OF THE BAR SLIDING FORWARD. THIS RESULTS IN A LOSE BELT.

NHTSA ID 10873550 · filed Jun 10, 2016

WHILE IN PARK AND SEATED IN DRIVER SEAT PULLED SEAT BELT TO LOCK, SEAT BELT UNRAVELED AND WON'T RETRACT AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10474119 · filed Sep 6, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES. AFTER A CURSORY GOOGLE SEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR VW BEETLES AND JETTAS. IT IS HIGHLY UNSAFE TO HAVE A CAR WITH AN UNRELIABLE IGNITION, PARTICULARLY WHEN TRAVELING ALONE AT NIGHT. VW HAS PLACED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ACKNOWLEDGED A FAULTY DESIGN FOR THE 2012-2013 BEETLES, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS THE DESIGN FLAW IN EARLIER MODELS TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

NHTSA ID 11092771 · filed May 9, 2018

WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND NO ACCELERATION. IT DID NOT APPEAR THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION CAME RIGHT BACK WITHOUT TOUCHING THE IGNITION KEY. MY DAUGHTER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NO OTHER DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON OTHER THAN THE BATTERY INDICATOR. THIS CAR IS A DEATHTRAP! *TR

NHTSA ID 10597512 · filed Jun 10, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11566484 · filed Jan 19, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND NO ACCELERATION. IT DID NOT APPEAR THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION CAME RIGHT BACK WITHOUT TOUCHING THE IGNITION KEY. MY DAUGHTER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NO OTHER DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON OTHER THAN THE BATTERY INDICATOR. THIS CAR IS A DEATHTRAP! *TR

NHTSA ID 10597512 · filed Jun 10, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE STOPPED OR WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 05/08/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO MOVE AT IDLE SPEED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HESITATED SEVERAL TIMES. UPDATED 05/23/12

NHTSA ID 10452960 · filed Mar 26, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .