RoadVitals

2016 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.
47
Latest Jun 25, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 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

  • Airbags3458.6%
  • Electrical610.3%
  • Suspension35.2%
  • Other / unspecified35.2%
  • Driver assistance35.2%
  • Tires & wheels23.4%
  • Brakes23.4%
  • Steering23.4%
  • Body & structure11.7%
  • Engine11.7%
  • Powertrain (other)11.7%

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

Airbags

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

34
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 25, 2026

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 · filed Sep 4, 2025
All 34 reports naming airbags

Electrical

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

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 2, 2023

THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND KEPT RUNNING WITH KEY TURNED OFF, AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED EITHER. WE HAD TO PAY VW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND WE FOUND OUT THAT IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 11444938 · filed Dec 25, 2021

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

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The 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. Additionally, the contact stated that the TPMS warning light and the air bag warning light were intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that on two separate occasions while driving at approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently jerked and veered to the left or right side of the road. The contact also stated that on multiple occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and started shuddering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side lower ball joint failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID 11534770 · filed Jul 27, 2023

I HEARD A LOUD METAL CLANG IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR WHEN I WAS BACKING UP IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE TECH PERFORMED INSPECTION AND FOUND DRIVER FRONT SPRING BROKEN AND BEARING DROPPED TO MIDDLE OF STRUT. FRONT SPRINGS, UPPER MOUNTS, AND BEARINGS REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 11279374 · filed Nov 11, 2019

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

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRES ARE CRACKING ON THE SIDEWALLS AS WELL AS ON THE TREAD AREA. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY AND THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN. IT APPEARS THE RUBBER IS DRYING OUT, HARDENING, AND SPLITTING.*DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR

NHTSA ID 11374263 · filed Nov 12, 2020

THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AT 40 MPH. HANKOOK TIRES. NOTHING WAS STRUCK AND THE TIRES HAD NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE. SMOOTH CITY STREET.

NHTSA ID 11231379 · filed Jul 12, 2019

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 25, 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 · filed Nov 5, 2025

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

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The 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. Additionally, the contact stated that the TPMS warning light and the air bag warning light were intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that on two separate occasions while driving at approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently jerked and veered to the left or right side of the road. The contact also stated that on multiple occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and started shuddering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side lower ball joint failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID 11534770 · filed Jul 27, 2023

2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ECM SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MOVING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATEST DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM DIDN'T NOTIFY HER THAT THE AIR IN THE TIRE WAS LOW. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE. *JS *JS THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER STRIKING AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED SOMEONE SEEMED TO HAVE TAMPERED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT APPEARED THE RADIO WAS HACKED. THE MUSIC VOLUME WOULD OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WAS INOPERABLE. *JS

NHTSA ID 11153809 · filed Dec 4, 2018

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

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 25, 2026

STARTED THE CAR AND HAD WORMING LIGHTS ON. IT DID IT BEFORE A COUPLE DAYS AGO BUT WENT OUT. THIS TIME THE LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF AND WON'T GO OVER 20 MPH. THE ABS LIGHT,STABILITY LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHTS AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ARE ON. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS JUST READING OF SOMEONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL

NHTSA ID 11266507 · filed Oct 5, 2019

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

IGINTION KEY STUCK IN ON POSITION AND COULD NOT TURN OFF VEHICLE. WAS PARKED AT SHOPPING CENTER.

NHTSA ID 11251906 · filed Aug 28, 2019

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID 11118153 · filed Aug 6, 2018

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

GAS FILL DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. GAS FILL DOOR SHOULD OPEN WHEN CAR IS UNLOCKED, BUT DOESN'T. *TR

NHTSA ID 11325130 · filed May 19, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ECM SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MOVING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATEST DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM DIDN'T NOTIFY HER THAT THE AIR IN THE TIRE WAS LOW. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE. *JS *JS THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER STRIKING AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED SOMEONE SEEMED TO HAVE TAMPERED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT APPEARED THE RADIO WAS HACKED. THE MUSIC VOLUME WOULD OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WAS INOPERABLE. *JS

NHTSA ID 11153809 · filed Dec 4, 2018

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

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 · filed Nov 5, 2025

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 .