The vehicle dossier US · 2012
2012 Volkswagen
BEETLEProblems & recalls
65 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Visibility appears in 21 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.
01 / Owner-reported evidence
What owners reported.
Categories attached to 65 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.
See original component labels
These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.
The reporting timeline
When reports arrived.
Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 12 years with reports.
20,000 miles is the median among 42 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 1,166–40,158 miles.
This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.
02 / Official safety campaigns
7 recall campaigns on file.
A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.
AIR BAGS:FRONTALCampaign 20V785000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 69BC
Read campaign 20V785000 at NHTSASERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERCampaign 20E064000
Reported concern
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Manufacturer’s stated response
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Read campaign 20E064000 at NHTSAUNKNOWN OR OTHERCampaign 19V679000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 01D7
Read campaign 19V679000 at NHTSAELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULECampaign 19V615000
Reported concern
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."
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 37M2
Read campaign 19V615000 at NHTSASUSPENSION:REARCampaign 14V656000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Read campaign 14V656000 at NHTSAAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVECampaign 12V540000
Reported concern
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.
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 69i9/W6
Read campaign 12V540000 at NHTSATIRESCampaign 12V331000
Reported concern
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."
Manufacturer’s stated response
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.
Manufacturer campaign: 44K8/W4
Read campaign 12V331000 at NHTSA03 / The manufacturer’s record
Instructions. Updates. Responses.
1,076 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.
TT 00-13-04_7Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED OrderNHTSA ID 11036868
Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11036868 at NHTSAV0026012081638_2Differences between a leak and seepageNHTSA ID 11036870
Differences between a leak and seepage
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11036870 at NHTSAVOS-26-42This 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) – No …NHTSA ID 11035772
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) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11035772 at NHTSAV1718062017813_24Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption MeasurementNHTSA ID 11035762
Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
Components: ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11035762 at NHTSATT 13-20-01_3Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.NHTSA ID 11034614
Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
Components: ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11034614 at NHTSATT 10-18-02_2Lubricating engine components before reassembly.NHTSA ID 11034613
Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
Components: ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11034613 at NHTSAV6919012010479_17InquiriesNHTSA ID 11034621
Inquiries
Components: AIR BAGS. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11034621 at NHTSAV1719012012855_81Volkswagen Engine Oil StandardsNHTSA ID 11034617
Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
Components: ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11034617 at NHTSAVOS-26-21This 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 error message ERP0204E could occur during perform …NHTSA ID 11030847
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 error message ERP0204E could occur during perform initial operation, software configuration, SVM updates for any control module(s) etc.
Campaign / software reference: VOS-26-21
Components: ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11030847 at NHTSAV0018092053065_6Safety Related Inquiry and ReportingNHTSA ID 11030841
Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11030841 at NHTSAV9422022066761_4Damage Inspection of Park assist sensorsNHTSA ID 11030838
Damage Inspection of Park assist sensors
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11030838 at NHTSASM 02-2026This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.NHTSA ID 11030836
This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 11030836 at NHTSARecords below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.
04 / Agency investigations
Official inquiries.
An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.
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