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2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 49.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

42 reports with mileage · 23 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Visibility/wiper complaints

10 reports
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34,000 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ROLL THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW UPWARDS, THE WINDOW INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED DOWNWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ROLL THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW UPWARDS, THE WINDOW INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED DOWNWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10712433

24,600 miles · Sep 9, 2014
Visibility/wiper

9-3-14 GOT INTO VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. FOUND HORIZONTAL CRACK RUNNING FROM BEHIND REAR VIEW MIRROR ABOUT 8" IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AND CURVING UP TO THE ROOF LINE. ADDITIONALLY THERE IS A VERTICLAL CRACK THAT INTERSECTS THE HORIZONTAL ONE AT IT RUNS DIRECTLY UP TO THE ROOF LINE. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT OR…

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9-3-14 GOT INTO VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. FOUND HORIZONTAL CRACK RUNNING FROM BEHIND REAR VIEW MIRROR ABOUT 8" IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AND CURVING UP TO THE ROOF LINE. ADDITIONALLY THERE IS A VERTICLAL CRACK THAT INTERSECTS THE HORIZONTAL ONE AT IT RUNS DIRECTLY UP TO THE ROOF LINE. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT OR ROAD HAZZARD THAT CAUSED THIS AS THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A CLOSED AND SECURED GARAGE. CONTACTED VW DEALER WHO ADVISED ME TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. ONCE THERE THE VEHICLE AND THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD WERE PHOTOGRAPHED BY DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL. I WAS INFORMED THAT A CLAIM WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. ON 9-9-14 I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLAIM HAD BEEN DENIED BY HE MAUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE STATING THAT IT WAS THEIR OPINION THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN CONTACTED BY SOME OBJECT. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS IS A STRESS FRACTURE AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631949

35,002 miles · Apr 3, 2014
Visibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD CRACKED BEHIND REAR VIEW MIRROR. STARTED AT THE TOP SEAM OF THE GLASS. WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577041

36,600 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Visibility/wiper

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING ABOUT 60MPH, WHEN I NOTICED A SLIGHT, HIGH PITCHED RATTLE. A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER, WHILE STILL ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE JUST BEHIND THE REARVIEW MIRROR. ONCE I GOT HOME I CHECKED IT OUT AND THE GLASS IS CRACKED STRAIGHT DOWN FROM…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING ABOUT 60MPH, WHEN I NOTICED A SLIGHT, HIGH PITCHED RATTLE. A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER, WHILE STILL ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE JUST BEHIND THE REARVIEW MIRROR. ONCE I GOT HOME I CHECKED IT OUT AND THE GLASS IS CRACKED STRAIGHT DOWN FROM THE CENTER OF THE CAR AND THEN SPLITS OFF LEFT AND RIGHT AT THE REARVIEW MIRROR. YOU CAN PHYSICALLY FEEL THE BREAK FROM THE OUTSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568312

15,500 miles · Jul 9, 2013
VisibilityVisibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD CRACK HORIZONTALLY FROM ROOFTOP DOWN IN TWO PLACES BEHIND REARVIEW MIRROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523940

20,000 miles · Jun 5, 2013
VisibilityVisibility/wiper

MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A RATE OF 60MPH. THERE WERE NO CHIPS OR SPLITS FROM ROCKS. I HEARD A CRACKING NOISE AND WATCHED AS THE MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE MIDWAY TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO MAKE SURE MY CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, I SAW THAT THE CRAC…

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MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A RATE OF 60MPH. THERE WERE NO CHIPS OR SPLITS FROM ROCKS. I HEARD A CRACKING NOISE AND WATCHED AS THE MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE MIDWAY TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO MAKE SURE MY CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, I SAW THAT THE CRACK HAPPENED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE WINDOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515161

7,200 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Visibility/wiper

FRONT WINDOW BROKE WHEN PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. NO VISIBLE ROCK CHIP, WINDOW JUST BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507078

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

NHTSA ODI #10467808

300 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS ABLE TO BE OPENED BUT COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE POWER SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE WINDOW WOULD RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXPERIENCED FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS ABLE TO BE OPENED BUT COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE POWER SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE WINDOW WOULD RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE PART BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

NHTSA ODI #10466986

500 miles · Jun 28, 2012
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. AS A RESULT, WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. AS A RESULT, WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS NO CURRENT REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10463382

Official recalls

6

20V785000 · Air Bags:frontal

Dec 16, 2020

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.

19V679000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 25, 2019

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.

19V615000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Aug 22, 2019

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

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.

14V656000 · Suspension:rear

Oct 20, 2014

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.

12V540000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Nov 15, 2012

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.

12V331000 · Tires

Jul 16, 2012

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.