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2018 Volkswagen Beetle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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

Limited mileage data: 7 of 17 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2026
Electrical SystemStructure

I am submitting a formal vehicle safety report regarding a hazardous mechanical reassembly failure involving my 2018 Volkswagen Beetle Coast. On August 14, 2026, the vehicle underwent service evaluation at Stohlman Volkswagen Tysons Corner. Immediately upon exiting the facility, a critical 'Brake Fluid Low' safety alarm and a fl…

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I am submitting a formal vehicle safety report regarding a hazardous mechanical reassembly failure involving my 2018 Volkswagen Beetle Coast. On August 14, 2026, the vehicle underwent service evaluation at Stohlman Volkswagen Tysons Corner. Immediately upon exiting the facility, a critical 'Brake Fluid Low' safety alarm and a flashing Red BRAKE Warning Light triggered on my dashboard, creating an emergency safety hazard on the highway.Due to the severity of the braking system malfunction, I was forced to return the vehicle to the dealership on August 15, 2026. As documented by Repair Invoice #6137732, certified technicians took emergency custody of the vehicle, diagnosed stored sporadic low-voltage faults within the electronic system, and conducted a 7-mile diagnostic road test to safely recalibrate the components, releasing the car at a Total Balance of $0.00. I am respectfully requesting that federal safety investigators review the vehicle release protocols at this location to ensure consumer safety on public roads. Thank you very much for your time and oversight.

NHTSA ODI #11762295

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2022
Electrical System

Driver and passenger windows go down all by themselves without the key even being in the ignition. Yes it is available to be fixed. My safety could be at risk if the window goes down and i'm not at home and some stranger lets themselves in my car and waits for my return. I've gone to break and i go out to my car and the window i…

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Driver and passenger windows go down all by themselves without the key even being in the ignition. Yes it is available to be fixed. My safety could be at risk if the window goes down and i'm not at home and some stranger lets themselves in my car and waits for my return. I've gone to break and i go out to my car and the window is half down. Dealership replaced something related to the windows unknown to exactly what. No bells or whistles its happened at least 6 times now once on the passenger side the rest on the drivers side. Started when it got really really cold out.

NHTSA ODI #11449170

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2021
Electrical System

Center dash screen goes black occasionally which prevents using the backup camera, radio, and phone. Sometimes it will reboot by itself after several minutes, other times I have to shut the car off, wait, and restart the car. It doesn’t always reboot the first time. This has happened at least 6 times.

NHTSA ODI #11421571

38,000 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS WOULD LOWER AND RAISE INDEPENDENTLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPC WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER WHEN LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS WOULD LOWER AND RAISE INDEPENDENTLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPC WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER WHEN LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #11398926

7,500 miles · Jan 4, 2020
Electrical System

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS DEFECTIVE. THE WINDOW SHUTTERS UP & DOWN ALL BY ITSELF, BOTH IN PARK, AND WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IT DOES THIS, I CAN'T SHUT THE WINDOW USING THE WINDOW UP & DOWN BUTTON. THE WINDOW GOES DOWN 1/2 WHILE DRIVING AND THEN LOCKS. I HAD IT TO TYNANS DEALERSHIP IN AURORA CO 3 TIMES NOW. THEY REPLACED THE LOCKING …

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THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS DEFECTIVE. THE WINDOW SHUTTERS UP & DOWN ALL BY ITSELF, BOTH IN PARK, AND WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IT DOES THIS, I CAN'T SHUT THE WINDOW USING THE WINDOW UP & DOWN BUTTON. THE WINDOW GOES DOWN 1/2 WHILE DRIVING AND THEN LOCKS. I HAD IT TO TYNANS DEALERSHIP IN AURORA CO 3 TIMES NOW. THEY REPLACED THE LOCKING MECHANISM BACK IN OCT. IT HELPED FOR ABOUT A MONTH. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. THERE ARE TIMES I HAVE GONE INTO THE STORE, CAME BACK OUT, AND MY WINDOW WAS DOWN 1/2 WAY - AND I NEVER ROLLED IT DOWN! I NEVER LEAVE MY WINDOWS DOWN WHILE AWAY FROM THE CAR. I WISH I COULD ATTACH VIDEO - HERE IS THE YOUTUBE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=_Q6OWMB_F5I

NHTSA ODI #11297097

9,000 miles · Sep 30, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE WINDOW KEEPS SHUTTERING UP & DOWN AFTER GETTING IN THE CAR AND SHUTTING THE DOOR WITH IGNITION ON.. THE WINDOW DOESN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY, AND THE AUTO DOOR LOCK DOESN'T WORK. THE WINDOW SHUTTERS UP & DOWN ALL ON ITS OWN. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK. THIS STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A VIDEO…

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THE WINDOW KEEPS SHUTTERING UP & DOWN AFTER GETTING IN THE CAR AND SHUTTING THE DOOR WITH IGNITION ON.. THE WINDOW DOESN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY, AND THE AUTO DOOR LOCK DOESN'T WORK. THE WINDOW SHUTTERS UP & DOWN ALL ON ITS OWN. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK. THIS STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A VIDEO SHOWING THE ISSUE AFTER THE DOOR LOCK WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11258975

Official recalls

3

24V834000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 30, 2024

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal 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: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

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.

18V369000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Jun 1, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

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.