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 MANUFACTUR…
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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 ODI #11267292
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2017
Electrical System
KEY GETS CONSTANTLY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF. THE CAR IS IN PARK AND THE KEY STUCK.
NHTSA ODI #11031357
13,000 miles · Jul 11, 2017
Electrical System
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #11004203
88,000 miles · Sep 15, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION AND STEERING TUMBLER LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION AND STEERING TUMBLER LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10763949
809 miles · Nov 1, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD DROP ABOUT 1.5 CM WHEN EXIT THE VEHICLE BUT WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. WAS ALLOWING WATER AND OUTSIDE DEBRIS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHEN I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MY SALESPERSON THEY SAID THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF IT AND CALL VW ON MY BEHALF. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN A MONTH AND I HAVE HEARD NOTHING. SOME REVIEW…
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DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD DROP ABOUT 1.5 CM WHEN EXIT THE VEHICLE BUT WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. WAS ALLOWING WATER AND OUTSIDE DEBRIS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHEN I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MY SALESPERSON THEY SAID THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF IT AND CALL VW ON MY BEHALF. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN A MONTH AND I HAVE HEARD NOTHING. SOME REVIEWS ONLINE SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO HAVE VW TAKE IT BACK/ BUY IT BACK. FRANKLY THIS WOULD BE THE BEST SOLUTION AS IN VA THE RAIN AND COLD WINDS IS JUST UNBEARABLE IN THE WINTER WITH THE WINDOW UNABLE TO OPERATE AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482930
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVisibility
I HAVE THREE CONCERNS ABOUT MY NEW CAR. FIRST AND FOREMOST IS THE WINDOW ISSUE. I HAD THE VX BEETLE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS ON BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES EITHER DO NOT GO UP OR DOWN ALL THE WAY AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. THEY STOP INTERMITTENTLY AND TAKE SEVERAL TRIES TO EITHER CLOSE OR OPEN. SA…
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I HAVE THREE CONCERNS ABOUT MY NEW CAR. FIRST AND FOREMOST IS THE WINDOW ISSUE. I HAD THE VX BEETLE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS ON BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES EITHER DO NOT GO UP OR DOWN ALL THE WAY AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. THEY STOP INTERMITTENTLY AND TAKE SEVERAL TRIES TO EITHER CLOSE OR OPEN. SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER SAYS VX KNOWS AND IS WORKING ON FIX. VX SAYS THE SAME BUT I HAVE HAD THE CAR THREE MONTHS NOW AND NO FIX (AND NO FIX IN SIGHT IT SEEMS). ALSO, FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER AS FULL. A PART FOR THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ORDERED AND IS IN. IT WILL BE INSTALLED IN A FEW DAYS AND HOPEFULLY ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM ALTHOUGH OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE POSTED THAT THIS DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. LASTLY, MY AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS WARM AIR UNLESS YOU TURN THE DIAL COMPLETELY TO MAX. ANY ADJUSTMENT BACKWARD FEELS LIKE THE HEATER IS ON. WHEN I TURN OFF THE AC AND PUT ON THE FAN WITH VENTS OPEN WANTING TO GET FRESH AIR (55 DEGREES OUT), AIR WARMER THAN OUTSIDE IS BLOWING IN. IT'S DIFFICULT TO ADJUST THE INTERIOR TEMPERATURE WHEN YOU HAVE EITHER ICE COLD OR HEAT AND ARE HESITANT TO MESS WITH THE WINDOWS!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477481
60 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS DO NOT GO UP OR DOWN ON COMMAND WHEN THE BUTTON HAS BEEN PRESSED. ONCE THE WINDOW DOES GO DOWN (USUALLY ON ITS OWN) IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE WINDOWS BACK UP. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT ALLOWS THE ELEMENTS (IE MOISTURE) TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS PARKED AND COULD CONTRIBUTE…
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THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS DO NOT GO UP OR DOWN ON COMMAND WHEN THE BUTTON HAS BEEN PRESSED. ONCE THE WINDOW DOES GO DOWN (USUALLY ON ITS OWN) IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE WINDOWS BACK UP. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT ALLOWS THE ELEMENTS (IE MOISTURE) TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS PARKED AND COULD CONTRIBUTE TO FURTHER MALFUNCTIONS OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT CONTROL OTHER ASPECTS OF THE CAR (ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION, PUSH BUTTON START, TRACTION CONTROL, ETC). VW HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO OWNERS COMPLAINTS TO THIS ISSUE (CHECK YOUTUBE, TWITTER, AND FORUMS). THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10476927
174 miles · Sep 4, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility
MY DRIVER'S WINDOW WON'T GO ALL THE WAY UP AFTER PARKING. IT IS SUPPOSED TO LOWER JUST A HAIR WHEN OPENED AND CLOSE AGAIN ONCE THE DOOR IS SHUT. THIS LETS RAIN IN. ALSO WHEN ROLLING UP THE DRIVER'S WINDOW YOU MUST INCH IT UP IN INCREMENTS INSTEAD OF ALL AT ONCE. IT GOES UP ABOUT HALF WAY THEN SENDS ITSELF BACK DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473856
140 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility
RECURRING ISSUES WITH DOOR POWER WINDOWS. TAKES APPROXIMATELY 6-7 ATTEMPTS TO SECURE OR ROLL THEM UP AFTER OPENING; UNSURE IF THEY WILL COMPLETELY FAIL AND EVENTUALLY NOT ROLL UP AT ALL. SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNS: UNABLE TO ROLL UP WINDOWS AGAINST ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND FREEWAY DEBRIS, (RAIN AND DEBRIS CAN DAMAGE ELECTRI…
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RECURRING ISSUES WITH DOOR POWER WINDOWS. TAKES APPROXIMATELY 6-7 ATTEMPTS TO SECURE OR ROLL THEM UP AFTER OPENING; UNSURE IF THEY WILL COMPLETELY FAIL AND EVENTUALLY NOT ROLL UP AT ALL. SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNS: UNABLE TO ROLL UP WINDOWS AGAINST ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND FREEWAY DEBRIS, (RAIN AND DEBRIS CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY LOCATED NEXT TO DOOR AND DEBRIS CAN INJURE DRIVER; RAIN/WIND/DEBRIS CAN IMPAIR DRIVERS VISIBILITY IF WINDOW CANNOT BE ROLLED UP PROPERLY); IN ADDITION, IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE SHELTERING IN PLACE IN THIS VEHICLE; SUCH AS AN ASSAULT, ROBBERY ETC. THE INABILITY FOR THE CONSUMER TO ROLL UP THEIR WINDOWS PRESENTS A REAL LIFE-SAFETY THREAT. AFTER HAVING RESEARCHED ON-LINE AND SPOKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM, THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR, AND I WAS TOLD (4 MONTHS AGO) THAT I WOULD BE PLACED ON A BACK-STOCK ORDER LIST FOR THE REVISED ELECTRICAL MODEM THAT WOULD RESOLVED THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED FOR FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION AND AN ETA ON THE PART. THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDED ME WITH NEW INFORMATION OR AN ETA. THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM THAT 1) THEY (MANUFACTURE AND DEALERSHIP) CANNOT FIX 2) HAVE NOT FOUND A FIX FOR (MANUFACTURER) AND HAVE BEEN LYING TO THE CONSUMER ABOUT (MANUFACTURER/DEALERSHIP) 3) HAVE NOT ELEVATED TO THE PROPER PRIORITY LEVEL TO FIND A FIX FOR (MANUFACTURER). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472557
4,500 miles · Jul 26, 2012
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility/wiper
DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS REQUIRE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE COMPLETELY. SEVERAL PROBLEMS EXIST---FIRST IS THAT AS THE WINDOWS ARE RAISED, THEY TRAVEL UPWARDS, STOP, THEN RETRACT SEVERAL INCHES. ON SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS TO RAISE THE WINDOW, THEY CONTINUE TO BIND WITHIN THE DOOR MECHANISM, REQUIRING ADDITIONAL ATTEMPTS TO GET T…
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DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS REQUIRE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE COMPLETELY. SEVERAL PROBLEMS EXIST---FIRST IS THAT AS THE WINDOWS ARE RAISED, THEY TRAVEL UPWARDS, STOP, THEN RETRACT SEVERAL INCHES. ON SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS TO RAISE THE WINDOW, THEY CONTINUE TO BIND WITHIN THE DOOR MECHANISM, REQUIRING ADDITIONAL ATTEMPTS TO GET THE WINDOW TO CLOSE. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH OPENING/CLOSING DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. THE WINDOW IS DESIGNED TO DROP ROUGHLY ONE QUARTER TO THREE EIGHTH'S OF AN INCH WHILE THE DOOR IS BEING OPENED (OR CLOSED). ONCE THE DOOR IS CLOSED OR LOCKED, THE WINDOW IS DESIGNED TO RETURN TO THE CLOSED POSITION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY AFTER LOCKING THE CAR, LEAVING THE CAR OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS AND VULNERABLE TO BREAK IN. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, ALTHOUGH IT ONLY HAPPENS MUCH LESS FREQUENTLY. LOCAL DEALER AND VWOA TOLD ME THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE 2012 BEETLE WINDOW PROBLEMS, AND THAT I WILL BE CALLED ONCE THERE IS A SOLUTION. *TR
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BC.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Consequence: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. If the right front passenger seat gets wet, the occupant control module may not properly detect the presence of a child restraint installed in the seat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the control module does not detect a child seat installed, the airbag will not turn off. If the airbag does not turn off, in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment, a child secured in the child seat may be at an increased risk for serious injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the control modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BEETLE VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DUE TO AN ERROR AT THE FACTORY, THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT ARE POSSIBLY NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION & RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES." IN ADDITION, CUSTOMERS MAY BE UNAWARE THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES. SUMMER TIRES HAVE DIFFERENT GRIP AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS. THESE ISSUES MAY LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT TIRES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year