Recall history
Volkswagen Beetle Recalls by Year
This page groups every Volkswagen Beetle safety-recall campaign in the connected NHTSA dataset by model year. Read the component, safety consequence and remedy, then use the exact VIN to confirm whether a specific car is affected and repaired.
Data updated April 2026
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- Latest affected year
- 2019
- Urgent instructions
- 1
- Years analyzed
- 2
2 affected model years
AIR BAGS
Park-it or park-outside flags
12 year-level recall count
1 campaign include a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. Do not assume the instruction applies to every Volkswagen Beetle; check the VIN immediately.
Year directory
Volkswagen Beetle recalls by model year
2019 Volkswagen Beetle recalls
4 campaigns on file
2018 Volkswagen Beetle recalls
4 campaigns on file
Campaign details
Volkswagen Beetle recall campaigns
Duplicate campaign numbers across model years are combined below. Urgent stop-driving and park-outside instructions appear first, followed by the newest NHTSA reports.
Do not driveSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC18V369000
Affected model years
What can happen
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Remedy
Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
NHTSA report received 2018-06-01T00:00:00Z.
AIR BAGS24V834000
Affected model years
What can happen
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
NHTSA report received 2024-10-30T00:00:00Z.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC20E064000
Affected model years
What can happen
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall summary
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.
Remedy
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.
NHTSA report received 2020-09-23T00:00:00Z.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING19V615000
Affected model years
What can happen
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.
Recall summary
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."
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.
NHTSA report received 2019-08-22T00:00:00Z.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES19V094000
Affected model years
What can happen
If the driver is not alerted when there is a problem with brakes, the driver may lose control of the vehicle while attempting to brake, increasing the risk of crash.
Recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The instrument cluster may not provide a visual warning when a brake system failure is detected. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems" and number 101, "Controls and displays."
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90L8.
NHTSA report received 2019-02-13T00:00:00Z.
Important limitation
A recall campaign is not the same as an open recall on one car
Campaigns are attached to production ranges, equipment and configurations. Some vehicles in the same model year are not covered; others have already received the repair. Only a VIN-level lookup can confirm applicability and completion.
Source trail
Where this Volkswagen Beetle data comes from
VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Volkswagen Beetle research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.
Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.
Buyer questions
Volkswagen Beetle research FAQ
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Beetle have?
The available NHTSA model-year records contain 5 unique recall campaigns across 2 Volkswagen Beetle model years. A campaign can affect multiple years and only certain production dates or configurations.
How do I know whether my Volkswagen Beetle recall was repaired?
Campaign data cannot show repair completion for one car. Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup or ask a franchised dealer to check the manufacturer system.
Can a Volkswagen Beetle be sold with an open recall?
Used vehicles can be offered for sale with unrepaired recalls. Recall repairs are generally completed by an authorized dealer at no charge, but confirm eligibility and parts availability for the exact VIN.
Check the actual car
Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.
Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Volkswagen Beetle you are considering.