2016 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 15, 2023 · Filed: September 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an air bag failure shortly after the recall repair. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a driver’s side air bag failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Incident: June 15, 2026 · Filed: June 25, 2026

ABS module is defective. This results in numerous warning lights, including abs, traction control, airbags, tire pressure warning, check engine light, epc light, and speed control usability. I have no working abs, seat belt, or traction control, which is a safety issue. There was a previous safety recall for VW with defective abs control modules, 45F2. The problem has been confirmed through an authorized VW repair shop. The part will be made available.

Incident: November 5, 2025 · Filed: November 5, 2025

On October 21st I had a recall performed at Evansville D- Patrick for a 37M2 shift lever micro switch. Today Nov 5th I was leaving work, pulling out of the drive onto highway and once I got on the road the car lost motion and just rolled. Barely made it across the highway. I got across the street into another lot. Turned car off and back on. You can hear the throttle but tires would not move. It would not go into any gear. It wouldn’t even go into park. It would roll no matter what the gear shifter was in. The work they did was in the gear shifter. So whatever work they performed was not done right. The sensor was bad they installed possibly or they didn’t connect the linkage or cables of some sort back I’m thinking. To have that recall done then have an issue with it that has to do with going into park is very odd. Especially to have an issue like that after having the appointment so close. I plan to have it towed to dealership but they are already trying to say it’s not something they did. Everything I’ve looked at with the recall correlates with the gear shifter which is what I had issues with today. The car can not move and I barely made it across the road before a semi came. They should definitely be held accountable for covering the cost of repairs or fixing the recall correctly.

Incident: September 4, 2025 · Filed: September 4, 2025

I purchased a 2016 VW Beetle, used, in March of 2025. Over the past few weeks, I have received multiple urgent messages from Volkswagon that I need to have the airbag fixed. The communications say there is a high risk of death or serious injury and urge me to my have the repair done ASAP. They have sent multiple mailings to me and made several phone calls to my home. I am doing everything in my power to get this fixed. I have called all the local dealerships within a 50 mile radius, but they do not have the appropriate parts in stock, and have no idea when parts will be available. I am told that the car is safe to drive (which is the exact opposite of what the mailings say) and they tell me to simply "call back in a month". I have also tried calling customer service at Volkswagon HQ, as well as the 800 numbers on my mailings. No luck. This is not acceptable. With such a dangerous issue, how can this be allowed? These cars need to be fixed.....many Volkswagon owners are TRYING to get them fixed....but Volkswagon is just shrugging their shoulders and saying there is nothing they can do. I'm attaching a copy of the message I received in the mail just this week. You can see how urgent they have indicated this is. They mailed it out KNOWING they do not have the parts available to do my repairs. They scare us that we'll be killed if we don't get the repair done immediately, yet when I call to schedule my repair, all I get is "sorry, we can't help you."

Incident: August 23, 2023 · Filed: February 29, 2024

See attached document for complaint

Incident: October 23, 2023 · Filed: October 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Incident: October 19, 2023 · Filed: October 19, 2023

We have been attempting to have the car in for this recall - however both the dealership and regional office have said the 'repair is not available' How long does a mfg have to start making repairs under a recall (69EM) We have been patiently waiting over a year. Please advise.

Incident: February 1, 2023 · Filed: October 9, 2023

Have not heard anything since February 2023 regarding repair of driver's side air bag inflator. 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 resulting in serious injury or death.

Incident: October 1, 2022 · Filed: October 2, 2023

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT HAS YET TO BE FIXED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS SENT TO DEALERS. Manufacturer Recall Number69EM NHTSA Recall Number22V945 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary The driver's side airbag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Safety Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Incident: September 26, 2023 · Filed: September 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.