NHTSA lists 83 complaints for the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle, 2 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 1 complaints mention an injury, with 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 36 | 43.4% | 0.89 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 19 | 22.9% | 0.86 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 12 | 14.5% | 0.98 |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 7 | 8.4% | 0.95 |
|---|
| unclear | 6 | 7.2% | 0.96 |
|---|
| loss of control | 3 | 3.6% | 0.62 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| low | 42 | 50.6% | 0.64 |
|---|
| moderate | 35 | 42.2% | 0.80 |
|---|
| critical | 2 | 2.4% | 0.40 |
|---|
| high | 2 | 2.4% | 0.98 |
|---|
| none | 2 | 2.4% | 0.45 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 83 tagged complaints of 83 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
5 recalls.
Date: 2022-12-21. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Beetle and Beetle Convertibles 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: 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 air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69EM.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2019-08-22. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING.
Defect: 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 ignitio (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-10-26. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-01-23. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November (excerpt)
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire. (excerpt)
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2014-10-20. Systems: VISIBILITY.
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Beetle vehicles manufactured June 13, 2013, to July 3, 2014. The glass sunroofs in the affected vehicles may break when the vehicles are operated over a hard road surface or strike a pothole.
Consequence: Vehicle occupants could be injured by falling glass. A sunroof break during vehicle operation also increases the risk of driver distraction and a resulting vehicle crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60B9.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
965 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 411 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 199 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 152 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 106 |
|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 46 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 40 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 39 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 34 |
|---|
11038146
Date: 2026-09-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
Suggested fuel additive
11038143
Date: 2026-09-09. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
11036868
Date: 2026-08-06. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
11036870
Date: 2026-08-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Differences between a leak and seepage
11035772
Date: 2026-07-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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) a No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.
11035762
Date: 2026-07-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
11034613
Date: 2026-06-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
11034614
Date: 2026-06-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
11034621
Date: 2026-06-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Inquiries
11034617
Date: 2026-06-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards