2012 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Complaints

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The accelerator pedal snapped/broke while driving the vehicle. Yes, it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was not able to control the speed of the vehicle while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, not yet. I am trying to get it scheduled for VW service. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. The gas pedal (accelerator) snapped while I was driving my 2012 VW Beetle today. I was not able to control the speed of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11715470

Incident

Feb 4, 2026

After getting in my car and turning on the ignition, I put my foot on the brake. After pulling the gear shift out of park and as I am taking my foot off the brake pedal, sometimes the car would jump a little as if has a glitch in the shifting from park to the next gear.

NHTSA ID

11477281

Incident

Jul 30, 2022

Volkswagen water pumps keeps failing. I had the first water pump fail at 61902 miles replaced on 22 Mar 2017. I then had to have another Volkswagen water pump put in my car replaced by a Volkswagen dealership at 82,229 miles on 4 Jan 2019. I am now back at the Volkswagen dealer for yet another new water pump for my car at 108000. These Volkswagen water pumps should not be failing like they are and unfortunately I have found no 3rd party water pump to install in my make and model of car to try to avoid these numerous breakdowns. Not only are the numerous water pump failures expensive to replace, I am afraid the failure of these Volkswagen water pumps may lead to a catastrophic engine failure. Unfortunately, the failure of these Volkswagen water pumps are posted all over the internet.

NHTSA ID

11476778

Incident

Jul 17, 2022

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 05/19/ 2022 NO PRIOR ISSUES ALL SERVICE REQUIRMENTS COMPLETED FROM PRIOR CORPORATE OWNED COMPANY. SINCE MY PURCHASE BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE SPORADICALLY FALLEN OUT OF THEIR BRACKETS WHILE I'M DRIVING LEADING TO LOSS OF VISIBILTY DURING THE DAYTIME AND NIGHTIME. FIRST INCIDENT OCCURING ON 05/20/2022 AND THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURING 07/05/2022. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND CONCERN. NO SAFETY WARNINGS OR LIGHTS CAME ON ONCE THESE INCIDENTS TOOK PLACE.THIS HAS LEAD TO THE HEADLIGHTS BEING DAMAGED AND DENTS PLACED ON THE EXTERIOR OVER MY BEETLE WHEN THERE WAS NO PRIOR DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID

11472612

Incident

May 20, 2022

Airbag replacement not available through Volkswagen after several months.

NHTSA ID

11445818

Incident

Sep 27, 2021

I received a recall notification dated Dec. 16, 2020 for my 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The notification was for a replacement of the driver's side airbag which could explode due to high temperature or humidity. These condition exist on the Big Island of Hawaii where the car is located, but there are no VW dealerships on the Island of Hawaii. There are VW agencies on the islands of Oahu and Maui. I have been in contact with VW Customer Service. I receive regular call backs from a representative named Patrick. He has informed me that VW is still working to solve the problem. He once mentioned that perhaps the parts could be shipped to a another make of car dealership, but no action has been taken. I believe that my wait for a resolution to this recall has exceeded a reasonable amount of time. I am in fear of injury while driving my car.

NHTSA ID

11433397

Incident

Dec 16, 2020

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V785000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11430152

Incident

May 1, 2021

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified about the recall however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11420996

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V785000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11407487

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

THE PLASTIC PART ON THE TOP AROUND THE MOON ROOF HAS COMPLETELY CRACKED ON ALL 4 CORNERS, NOT JUST HAIRLINE CRACKS, BUT COMPLETELY CRACKED APART EDGE TO EDGE, ENOUGH TO FIT A CREDIT CARD IN. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, RARELY DRIVEN EXCEPT ON NICE DAYS, I DON'T EVEN DRIVE IT ON RAINY DAYS & RARELY AT ALL IN THE WINTER. (NOW I WOULD BE AFRAID TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN BECAUSE IT MIGHT START LEAKING) I NOTICED IT HAD A HAIRLINE CRACK LAST YR ON 2 CORNERS BUT PREVIOUSLY WHEN WASHING IT I REALIZED ALL 4 SIDES ARE NOW COMPLETELY CRACKED APART. I BOUGHT IT 6 YRS AGO & IT HAD 21,000 MILES ON IT & I HAVE ONLY PUT 19,000 MILES ON IT IN 6 YEARS. IT IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION EXCEPT NOW IT HAS 4 BIG CRACKS ON ALL 4 CORNERS OF MOON ROOF.

NHTSA ID

11405215

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

Mileage

39,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V785000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11399379

Incident

Feb 25, 2021

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V785000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11397897

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V785000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LOW COUNTRY VOLKSWAGEN (1001 JOHNNIE DODDS BLVD, MT PLEASANT, SC 29464) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11396802

Incident

Feb 18, 2021

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V785000 (AIRBAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11396767

Incident

Feb 17, 2021

ENGINE LIGHT FOR EVAP PURGE FLOW INCORRECT. I'VE SPENT OVER $700.00 AT THE DEALERSHIP AND MY ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON WITH THE SAME ERROR CODE.P0441. THANKFULLY I HAVE FIXED PLUGGED IN AND I CAN TURN OFF THE ENGINE LIGHT ONLY TO HAVE IT COME ON AGAIN EVERY 25 TO 50 MILES OF DRIVING. ???? THE PURGE SOLENOID, AIR PUMP, PURGE VALVE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NO CHANGE.

NHTSA ID

11374188

Incident

Nov 11, 2020

Mileage

71,200 mi

WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION THE STEERING LOCKED UP, PREVENTING ANY KIND OF TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING A CATOSROPHIC CRASH INJURING THE DRIVER ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ID

11350776

Incident

Aug 19, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHILE TURNING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY I HEARD A BANG NOISE. IT WAS NIGHT AND AT THE TIME I DID NOT SEE WHAT WENT WRONG UNTIL AN INSPECTION LATER REMOVING THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE TOP OF THE STRUT SPRING BROKE. THE TOP OF A MCPHERSON STRUT IS A PIVOT FOR THE STEERING. THE CAR IS A 2012 WITH 86,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11317900

Incident

Feb 14, 2020

Mileage

86,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. EVENTUALLY THE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH FAILED AND THE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE DOOR LATCH TO SECURE THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER DON JACOBS (66900 PETERS CREEK RD ROANOKE VA.) WHO INDICATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11309791

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GEAR SELECTOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SET IN PARK, BUT ROLLED FORWARD INTO ANOTHER OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED.*JS

NHTSA ID

11308172

Incident

Feb 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING SOUND PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11267292

Incident

Oct 6, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE TIMING TENSIONER BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. VOLKSWAGEN PAID FOR TIMING AND 60% OF ENGINE WORK. SHORTLY AFTER I NOTICED I NEEDED TO ADD OIL AND RIGHT AFTER AN OIL CHANGE THE OIL WOULD BE LOW. MEANWHILE THE OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. NOW VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP SAYS THE PVC IS BAD AND WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT IT THEY CLAIM THEY NEVER TOUCHED THE PVC. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE THEY REPLACED THE UPPER PART OF MY ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS FIXED DECEMBER OF 2018. I JUST TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. MAY 28, 2019.

NHTSA ID

11210380

Incident

May 28, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT DEALER WHO SOLD HER THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V540000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE THE RECALL HISTORY AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS WORKING PROPERLY. ON NOVEMBER 2, 2018, WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT REAR ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND BACK PAIN AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11155981

Incident

Apr 30, 2018

PURCHASED 2012 VW BEETLE IN 2014 USED AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 6SHORTLY AFTER. DEALER REPLACED SECONDARY AIR INJECTOR SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SECONDARY AIR INJECTOR VALVE THAT WAS BAD BUT WOULD NOT COVER DUE TO BEING OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT CORRECTED. LOCAL MECHANIC CLEANED VALVE AND CHECKED SYSTEM WHICH WORKED FOR 6 MONTHS. CONTINUED TO FAIL SAFETY INSPECTION FOR A P0491 SECONDARY AIR INJECTOR SYSTEM. HAS FAILED 2016 & 2017 FOR SAME CODE. HAVE HAD OVER $700 WORTH OF WORK TO CORRECT WITH NO FIX. 2017 HAD A P0106 CODE THAT CLEARED BUT HAS COME BACK AGAIN. CURRENTLY STILL PRODUCING BOTH CODES FOR 2018 AND NOT PASSING SAFETY INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID

11151473

Incident

Apr 1, 2015

OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS OR SO EVERY TIME I GO OVER ANY SORT OF BUMP IN THE ROAD I HEAR A CRACKING KIND OF NOISE. WHEN I GO OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS IT SOUNDS AS IF MY CAR IS GOING TO CRACK..IT'S SO BAD I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR HOWEVER I DO NEED TO DRIVE IT. VERY SCARY

NHTSA ID

11115072

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

SUNROOF'S PLASTIC FRAME COVER DEVELOPED CRACK WIDE ENOUGH FOR CALLING CARD TO FIT INSIDE AN ALLOW WATER IN TO LEAK INOT HEADLINER ETC., PLUS SEVERAL HAIRLINE CRACKS HAVE FORMED. THE CLEARCOAT HAS WORN OFF THE SAME SURFACE AFTER 5.5 YEARS ON THIS SAME NON-METAL FRAME THAT SURROUNDS THE SUNROOF ABOUT A FINGER'S WIDTH WIDE AROUND MOST OF THE FRAME.

NHTSA ID

11090115

Incident

Apr 22, 2018