The vehicle dossier US · 2013

2013 Volkswagen
BEETLEProblems & recalls

93 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Air bags appears in 34 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.

Snapshot Sep 28, 2026Live NHTSA complaint API How this dossier is compiled

01 / Owner-reported evidence

What owners reported.

Categories attached to 93 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.

Air bags34 reports
Other components26 reports
Electrical system19 reports
Engine10 reports
Fuel system7 reports
Steering6 reports
Body & structure5 reports
Visibility5 reports
Transmission & drivetrain5 reports
Brakes4 reports
Suspension4 reports
See original component labels
AIR BAGS33
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12
ENGINE10
STEERING6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
POWER TRAIN5
SERVICE BRAKES4
SUSPENSION4
TIRES4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
VISIBILITY/WIPER3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
SEAT BELTS2
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID1
WHEELS1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
SEATS1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1

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 14 years with reports.

Year filed (last two digits)Latest report: Sep 24, 2026
Mileage, where supplied

45,500 miles is the median among 50 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 17,929–65,000 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.

Dec 16, 2020 Safety recallAIR 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 NHTSA
Sep 23, 2020 Safety recallSERVICE 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 NHTSA
Sep 25, 2019 Safety recallUNKNOWN 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 NHTSA
Aug 22, 2019 Safety recallELECTRICAL 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 NHTSA
Oct 20, 2014 Safety recallVISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLYCampaign 14V658000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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.

Manufacturer campaign: 60B9

Read campaign 14V658000 at NHTSA
Oct 20, 2014 Safety recallSUSPENSION: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 NHTSA
Nov 15, 2012 Safety recallAIR 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 NHTSA
Check this car’s VIN at NHTSA

03 / The manufacturer’s record

Instructions. Updates. Responses.

1,336 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.

Aug 6, 2026 OtherTT 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 NHTSA
Aug 4, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV0026012081638_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 NHTSA
Jul 15, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsVOS-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 NHTSA
Jul 9, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV1718062017813_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 NHTSA
Jun 18, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsTT 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 NHTSA
Jun 18, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsTT 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 NHTSA
Jun 11, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV6919012010479_17InquiriesNHTSA ID 11034621

Inquiries

Components: AIR BAGS. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11034621 at NHTSA
Jun 4, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV1719012012855_81Volkswagen Engine Oil StandardsNHTSA ID 11034617

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards

Components: ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11034617 at NHTSA
Mar 27, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsVOS-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 NHTSA
Mar 25, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV0018092053065_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 NHTSA
Mar 19, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsV9422022066761_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 NHTSA
Mar 19, 2026 OtherSM 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 NHTSA
Browse all manufacturer records by page

Records 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.

No investigation records matched this model-year in the snapshot.

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