RoadVitals

2015 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.
16
Latest Sep 18, 2023
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.
19%
of 83 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 2015 Volkswagen Beetle submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 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

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 18, 2023

Speedometer stops working. My 16 year old daughter can’t tell how fast she is going when the speedometer stops working. And the screen freezes. Cruise control does not work.

NHTSA ID
11545249
Incident
Sep 18, 2023
Electrical
Filed Aug 11, 2020

PHONE BUTTON DOESN'T WORK, NO RESPONSE. BLUETOOTH ISN'T DISCOVERABLE. I AM CALLING HIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN'T USE MY PHONE HANDS FREE AS I THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO. NOT SURE IF THE FUNCTION IS BROKEN OR DISCONNECTED. IT WAS LIKE THIS WHEN I BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA ID
11348733
Incident
Aug 2, 2020
Mileage
51,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 5, 2020

HAVE HAD ISSUE WITH BACKUP CAMERA FOR 3 YEARS. HAVE TOLD VW ABOUT THIS FOR 3 YEARS WHEN TURNING IN CAR FOR MAINTENANCE AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME NOTHING IS WRONG. FINALLY IT QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. TOOK IT IN AND THEY TOLD ME IT WILL TAKE 4 TO 5 MONTHS TO GET PARTS. THEY SAY IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM BUT THE SUPPLIER. KEEP CHECKING BACK WITH STATUS AFTER TURNING IT IN AND FOUND OUT PARTS WEREN'T EVEN ON ORDER TILL 2 WEEKS AFTER TURNING CAR IN FOR PROBLEM. IT'S BEEN 2 1/2 MONTHS AND NO STATUS AS OF YET FOR PARTS. THEY SAY THEY CHECKED AROUND THE COUNTRY FOR PARTS AND THERES NONE. I FOUND A SYSTEM ON THE INTERNET THAT CAN BE PURCHASED TO FIX THE PROBLEM..THEY WILL NOT GO THAT WAY.

NHTSA ID
11343411
Incident
May 28, 2020
Mileage
15,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE ROLL THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF HUNTINGTON LOCATED AT (838 E JERICHO TPKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11746). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,600.

NHTSA ID
11317598
Incident
Mar 11, 2020
Mileage
35,600 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Nov 14, 2019

BOTH DOORS WINDOWS MACHINE HAVE FAILED IN 3 YEARS

NHTSA ID
11280037
Incident
Oct 11, 2018
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11267097
Incident
Sep 28, 2019
Mileage
37,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 20, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT INITIALLY, BUT THEN BEGAN OCCURRING EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH FLOW VOLKSWAGEN OF CHARLOTTESVILLE (1313 RICHMOND RD, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22911) FOR SEPTEMBER 23, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 190723803. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
11256806
Incident
Sep 20, 2019
Mileage
50,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 29, 2019

MY KEY WILL NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF. IT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT COME OUT. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATER TO STOP THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
11204518
Incident
Feb 15, 2019
Mileage
65 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 30, 2018

THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN OFF THE CAR AND IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. IT WILL NOT TURN BACK AS YOU NORMALLY WOULD TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT THE CAR OFF IS TO PULL THE FUEL PUMP RELAY/FUSE. THE CAR CAN BE LOCKED MANUALLY USING THE OTHER KEY IN THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THAN THE BATTERY MUST BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT DRAIN FROM THE ACCESSORIES.

NHTSA ID
11144112
Incident
Sep 1, 2018
Mileage
73,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 16, 2018

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE IGNITION SWITCH THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAN NOT TAKE THE KEY OUT BECAUSE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH GOING BAD. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A GROCERY STORE AND SPENT 20-30 MINUTES JUST TO TAKE THE KEY OUT. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY AND USING THIS CAR NOW IS A PAIN AS I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF.

NHTSA ID
11111652
Incident
Jul 13, 2018
Mileage
65,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 18, 2017

KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WILL NOT POWER OFF, NOT EVEN AFTER TAKING OUT THE BATTERY. VW TOLD ME THEY HAD NO IDEA HOW TO HELP ME AND HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. WHEN I LOOK IT UP ONLINE, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BEETLES AND JETTAS.

NHTSA ID
11016272
Incident
Aug 5, 2017
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 11, 2017

KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN FOR IT TO POWER OFF. NO RELEASE IN THE CAR TO GET THE KEY OUT THEREFORE THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WITH THE BATTERY DISCONNECTED.

NHTSA ID
10984845
Incident
May 9, 2017
Mileage
37,423 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 4, 2016

ESP LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CRITICAL ERROR WILL FLASH WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL SUTTER AND WILL NOT START. WHEN VEHICLE IS TAKEN TO HAVE THE ERROR MESSAGE READ NO RECORD IS FOUND IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. MOST RECENTLY AN ERROR MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE SCREEN AND THE WHOLE CAR WENT DEAD.

NHTSA ID
10882419
Incident
May 29, 2016
Mileage
13,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 24, 2015

THE BACKUP CAMERA ON THE VEHICLE IS SO DARK TO BE ALMOST UNUSABLE. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY DEVICE, BUT YOU CANNOT IDENTIFY WHAT IS IN YOUR PATH. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THIS AND THEY CANNOT FIND A FAULT OR A WAY TO ADJUST THE IMAGE. THEY CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN TECH SUPPORT WHO OFFERED NO SOLUTION AND DO NOT SEEM TO BE INTERESTED. I HAVE ASKED TO CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY, BUT THEY HAVE NO WAY FOR THE CONSUMER TO DO THAT. THIS CAR HAS THE "PREMIUM 8" RADIO AND NO NAVIGATION. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ODD COMBINATION AS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE ONE FOR COMPARISON WITHIN A 50 MILE RADIUS. AGAIN, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE BACKS OVER A CHILD OR SOMETHING ELSE.

NHTSA ID
10785763
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
10 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE "IGNITION KEY WAS NOT IN RANGE WARNING" APPEARED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION KEY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA ID
10722946
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
1,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS THAT INCLUDED THE VEHICLE SHUTTING COMPLETELY OFF, OCCASIONALLY NOT BEING ABLE TO START, ALONG WITH DOORS AND WINDOWS OCCASIONALLY NOT OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE COMPUTER NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY FOB. NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC COMPUTER FAILURE, WHICH COMPLETELY DISABLED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER WITH AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE SECOND VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA ID
10722935
Incident
Jan 2, 2015
Mileage
1,000 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 .