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2016 Volkswagen Beetle

Verified July 23, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
Safety
not rated
Recalls
4
on record
MPG
26
combined

Open recalls on record

4 safety recalls. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer — check the VIN before you buy.

Vehicle Summary

2016 Volkswagen Beetle

4 recalls
58 complaints
26 MPG combined

Before You Buy

Confirm all 4 recalls were repaired — a dealer checks by VIN, free
Read the 2 complaints reporting a crash
Review the 58 owner complaints on record
Get a pre-purchase inspection
Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
4
Owner complaints
58
Complaints citing a crash
2

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalized by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

4 Recalls on Record

These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 19V615000high

    Electrical issue

    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."

  • 15V705000high

    Engine issue

    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

    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.

  • 20E064000high

    Brake system issue

    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

    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.

  • 22V945000high

    Airbag system issue

    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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.

Consumer complaints

58 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

58
Total
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries

Most reported components

  • AIR BAGS45
  • ELECTRICAL3
  • ENGINE2
  • OTHER2
  • WHEELS/TIRES2

Normal Range

58 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 2 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

airbag concerns (warning light, deployment issues)45
electrical issues (battery, wiring, infotainment)3
engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)2

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
Compact Cars
Drive type
Front-Wheel Drive
Engine
2L 4-cyl
Fuel type
Unknown
Transmission
Automatic (AM-S6)
Seats
0

Fuel economy

24

City

31

Hwy

26

Comb

Annual cost
$2,300
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Explore related

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Recall

    Recall 22V945000

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  2. Recall

    Recall 20E064000

    If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

  3. Recall

    Recall 19V615000

    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.

  4. Recall

    Recall 15V705000

    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.