AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2016 Volkswagen Beetle
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 47 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and suspension categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 689 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 1 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 2 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 3 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 4 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 6 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 7 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 8 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 9 |
| Sep 2020 | 1 | 10 |
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 11 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 12 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 13 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 14 |
| Feb 2023 | 2 | 16 |
| Mar 2023 | 5 | 21 |
| Apr 2023 | 2 | 23 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 24 |
| Jun 2023 | 3 | 27 |
| Jul 2023 | 6 | 33 |
| Aug 2023 | 4 | 37 |
| Sep 2023 | 2 | 39 |
| Oct 2023 | 4 | 43 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 44 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 45 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | 46 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 47 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags3458.6%
- Electrical610.3%
- Suspension35.2%
- Other / unspecified35.2%
- Driver assistance35.2%
- Tires & wheels23.4%
- Brakes23.4%
- Steering23.4%
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
4 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.govSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE; STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
ABS module is defective. This results in numerous warning lights, including abs, traction control, airbags, tire pressure warning, check engine light, epc light, and speed control usability. I have no working abs, seat belt, or traction control, which is a safety issue. There was a previous safety recall for VW with defective abs control modules, 45F2. The problem has been confirmed through an authorized VW repair shop. The part will be made available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11746396
- Incident
- Jun 15, 2026
On October 21st I had a recall performed at Evansville D- Patrick for a 37M2 shift lever micro switch. Today Nov 5th I was leaving work, pulling out of the drive onto highway and once I got on the road the car lost motion and just rolled. Barely made it across the highway. I got across the street into another lot. Turned car off and back on. You can hear the throttle but tires would not move. It would not go into any gear. It wouldn’t even go into park. It would roll no matter what the gear shifter was in. The work they did was in the gear shifter. So whatever work they performed was not done right. The sensor was bad they installed possibly or they didn’t connect the linkage or cables of some sort back I’m thinking. To have that recall done then have an issue with it that has to do with going into park is very odd. Especially to have an issue like that after having the appointment so close. I plan to have it towed to dealership but they are already trying to say it’s not something they did. Everything I’ve looked at with the recall correlates with the gear shifter which is what I had issues with today. The car can not move and I barely made it across the road before a semi came. They should definitely be held accountable for covering the cost of repairs or fixing the recall correctly.
- NHTSA ID
- 11697790
- Incident
- Nov 5, 2025
I purchased a 2016 VW Beetle, used, in March of 2025. Over the past few weeks, I have received multiple urgent messages from Volkswagon that I need to have the airbag fixed. The communications say there is a high risk of death or serious injury and urge me to my have the repair done ASAP. They have sent multiple mailings to me and made several phone calls to my home. I am doing everything in my power to get this fixed. I have called all the local dealerships within a 50 mile radius, but they do not have the appropriate parts in stock, and have no idea when parts will be available. I am told that the car is safe to drive (which is the exact opposite of what the mailings say) and they tell me to simply "call back in a month". I have also tried calling customer service at Volkswagon HQ, as well as the 800 numbers on my mailings. No luck. This is not acceptable. With such a dangerous issue, how can this be allowed? These cars need to be fixed.....many Volkswagon owners are TRYING to get them fixed....but Volkswagon is just shrugging their shoulders and saying there is nothing they can do. I'm attaching a copy of the message I received in the mail just this week. You can see how urgent they have indicated this is. They mailed it out KNOWING they do not have the parts available to do my repairs. They scare us that we'll be killed if we don't get the repair done immediately, yet when I call to schedule my repair, all I get is "sorry, we can't help you."
- NHTSA ID
- 11685158
- Incident
- Sep 4, 2025
See attached document for complaint
- NHTSA ID
- 11574691
- Incident
- Aug 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11551351
- Incident
- Oct 23, 2023
We have been attempting to have the car in for this recall - however both the dealership and regional office have said the 'repair is not available' How long does a mfg have to start making repairs under a recall (69EM) We have been patiently waiting over a year. Please advise.
- NHTSA ID
- 11550864
- Incident
- Oct 19, 2023
Have not heard anything since February 2023 regarding repair of driver's side air bag inflator. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling resulting in serious injury or death.
- NHTSA ID
- 11548958
- Incident
- Feb 1, 2023
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT HAS YET TO BE FIXED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS SENT TO DEALERS. Manufacturer Recall Number69EM NHTSA Recall Number22V945 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary The driver's side airbag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Safety Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- NHTSA ID
- 11547827
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2022
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
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.
ENGINE
Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
ENGINE
Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
ENGINE
Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
AIR BAGS
Inquiries
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 54.0 |
| 2018 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 51.3 |
| 2017 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 52.9 |
| 2016Viewing | 47 | 4 | 0 | 53.0 |
| 2015 | 83 | 6 | 0 | 46.1 |
| 2014 | 50 | 6 | 0 | 49.3 |
| 2013 | 90 | 7 | 0 | 51.2 |
| 2012 | 65 | 7 | 0 | 50.2 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 39.8 |
| 2009 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 41.1 |
| 2008 | 60 | 3 | 0 | 54.6 |
| 2007 | 56 | 2 | 0 | 45.6 |
| 2006 | 124 | 4 | 0 | 49.9 |
| 2005 | 261 | 6 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 2004 | 349 | 6 | 1 | 53.4 |
| 2003 | 314 | 5 | 1 | 52.5 |
| 2002 | 165 | 8 | 2 | 60.8 |
| 2001 | 203 | 8 | 2 | 60.3 |
| 2000 | 263 | 7 | 3 | 62.6 |
| 1999 | 174 | 7 | 3 | 65.3 |
| 1998 | 171 | 8 | 3 | 64.5 |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1965 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.