RoadVitals

2014 Volkswagen Beetle Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
13
Latest Jun 6, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
26%
of 50 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 6, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated the ignition failed to turn off and the gear shifter did not recognize the PARK gear. The contact stated the key would not unlatch and was eventually fractured. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had the recall repairs completed. The contact stated shortly after the recall repairs, he continued to experience the failure. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,652.

NHTSA ID
11467826
Incident
Apr 27, 2022
Mileage
63,652 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the horn worked intermittently before receiving notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags). The contact took the vehicle to local dealer and the recall repair completed. The contact stated that the horn was still functioning intermittently after the recall repair. The dealer stated that the recall did not cover diagnostic testing or repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11455669
Incident
Oct 1, 2021
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 17, 2021

DRIVER SIDE TAKEDA AIR BAG REPLACED UNDER 20V785000 RECALL NOTICE BY CLASSIC VOLKSWAGEN, GASTONIA, NC. VEHICLE RETURNED FROM REPAIR WITH BROKEN STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING. HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, STEER WHEEL CONTROLS FOR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM ARE ALL INOPERATIVE REGARDLESS OF STEERING WHEEL POSITION OR IF VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
11408591
Incident
Apr 15, 2021
Mileage
31,254 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 18, 2020

TSI SHOOTING OIL THROUGH MUFFLER. ONLY 93,000 MILES ON THE CAR. HARD SHIFTING, LOSS OF POWER. VEHICLE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
11340118
Incident
Jul 14, 2020
Mileage
92,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID
11269206
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
75,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 8, 2019

WHILE STATIONARY, IGNITION SWITCH SOMETIMES DOES NOT TURN ON OR OFF. MANY TIMES I SPEND 20 TO 30 MINUTES TRYING TO START MY CAR. ON OCCASION , I CANNOT TURN THE CAR OFF OR REMOVE THE KEY AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF.

NHTSA ID
11242436
Incident
Aug 5, 2019
Mileage
24,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 24, 2019

THE IGNITION LOCKS AND PRESENTS A MAJOR PROBLEM. IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. ALSO THE LOCKS RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF AS I AM DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11191202
Incident
Mar 4, 2019
Mileage
20,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 18, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND REMAINED IN THE ON POSITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHERN VOLKSWAGEN GREENBRIER (1248 S MILITARY HWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, (757) 424-4689) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 181253450. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,288.

NHTSA ID
11130265
Incident
Sep 12, 2018
Mileage
58,288 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 27, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OPEN FOR THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ID
11122795
Incident
Aug 6, 2018
Mileage
36,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 4, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ID
10983548
Incident
May 4, 2017
Mileage
36,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Sep 13, 2015

EXTERIOR DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPEN WHEN PULLING ON THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. USING JUST THE PROXIMITY RF KEYFOB, PASSENGER DOORS, TRUNK, AND GAS FILLER DOOR WERE DISABLED. THEN PRESSED THE BUTTONS ON THE KEYFOB, NOTHING. AFTER 5 MINUTES OF PULLING, PRESSING, PANIC BUTTON, FINALLY THE TRUNK RELEASED. AFTER THAT, EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS OCCURS WEEKLY, BUT USUALLY DOESN'T LAST SO LONG.

NHTSA ID
10763355
Incident
May 1, 2015
Mileage
6,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 7, 2014

THE NEW 2014 BEETLE I PURCHASED AT HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF REISTERSTOWN, MARYLAND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 3 TIMES SINCE I BROUGHT IT HOME. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WITH THE BRAKE PRESSED, SEATBELT BUCKLED, AND ALL DOORS CLOSED. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. I WAS GIVEN A KEY AND TOLD THAT THE SECOND KEY HAD BEEN MISPLACED AND AS SOON AS THEY FOUND IT THEY WOULD SEND IT TO ME. I JUST RECEIVED IT THIS WEEK. THE SECOND TIME I WAS STRANDED WAS AT THE COLUMBIA MALL. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, IT STARTED. THE THIRD TIME WAS AT MY SCHOOL. IT WAS WEEK BEFORE LAST, ONE OF THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE SUMMER. I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AFTER SCHOOL AND SO I GOT OUT A FEW MINUTES EARLY. I GOT INTO A 120 DEGREE CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN AND SHUTTING THE DOOR, BUCKLING UP, AND PRESSING THE BRAKE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I WAS SWEATING THROUGH ALL MY CLOTHES AND FEELING PANICKED. I AM 63 AND HAVE OWNED A PT CRUISER FOR OVER 12 YEARS AND WANTED A NEW CAR FOR PEACE OF MIND THAT I WOULD NOT BE STRANDED ONE DAY IF MY PT DIDN'T START. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE BEETLE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL START OR NOT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE 30 DAY CHECK TOMORROW, WHICH IS THE EARLIEST I COULD TAKE IT IN, BUT JUST GOT A BILL FOR 115.00 FOR DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRST MONTH CHECK WAS A COURTESY, TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY CONCERNS. THE CAR IS BRAND NEW!! ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT SHOULD BE COVERED WITH NO CHARGE. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED AND FURIOUS AND FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN SOLD A LEMON. AFTER READING SEVERAL POSTS, BY OTHER OWNERS, THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MANY VW OWNERS ARE HAVING. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THE BEETLE ON THE LOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10631331
Incident
Aug 2, 2014
Mileage
30 mi
Body & structureElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 26, 2014

THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND KEYLESS IGNITION. THIS IS AN UNSAFE COMBINATION SHOULD THE CAR BE STALLED. WHEN THE START BUTTON IS PUSHED AND I HAVE FAILED TO GET THE CLUTCH PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM THE CAR WON'T START. NOW THE BUTTON MUST BE PUSHED ONCE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF, ONCE MORE TO TURN THE IGNITION ON AND YET A THIRD TIME TO ENGAGE THE STARTER AND HOPEFULLY THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS FULLY ENGAGED. ALL OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE IN PANIC MODE AS YOU OBSERVE AUTOS COMING AT YOU. A MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A STARTER BUTTON SEPARATE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. FOR BACKGROUND I AM 60 YEARS OLD AND HAVE DRIVEN STANDARD SHIFT CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH A PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE CLUTCH LOCKOUT FEATURE SHOULD BE DISABLED IN A VEHICLE WITH THIS COMBINATION OR A SEPARATE STARTER BUTTON BE PROVIDED. I AM CONVINCED I WILL DIE IN THIS CAR EITHER AS A RESULT OF A CRASH OR HEART ATTACK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10628600
Incident
Mar 5, 2014
Mileage
2,000 mi

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .