Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2013 Volkswagen Beetle recalls
Air bags: frontal
NHTSA campaign 20V785000 · reported December 16, 2020 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 105,652 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
Unknown or other
NHTSA campaign 19V679000 · reported September 25, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 113 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
- The fix
- 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.
Electrical system: ignition, anti-theft, control module · Steering: column locking, anti-theft device
NHTSA campaign 19V615000 · reported August 22, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 679,027 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Suspension: rear
NHTSA campaign 14V656000 · reported October 20, 2014 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 442,066 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
NHTSA campaign 14V658000 · reported October 20, 2014 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 7,062 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Vehicle occupants could be injured by falling glass. A sunroof break during vehicle operation also increases the risk of driver distraction and a resulting vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive
NHTSA campaign 12V540000 · reported November 15, 2012 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 2,471 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the control module does not detect a child seat installed, the airbag will not turn off. If the airbag does not turn off, in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment, a child secured in the child seat may be at an increased risk for serious injury.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Sep 24, 2026 · Power train
Upon pulling into my driveway, the vehicle would not shift into Park. It got stuck in neutral and allows me to turn the vehicle on and off, but will not shift from neutral into park or drive or anything. The shifter is completely stuck, and the manual override button does nothing.
Sep 24, 2026 · Air bags
Component Affected: AIRBAGS: FORE AND AFT INTERIOR OVERHEAD/OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM Description of Safety Defect: I own a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L (Build Date: April 2013). The vehicle is experiencing a permanent Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) failure, indicated by a persistent airbag warning…
Sep 8, 2026 · Air bags · crash reported
I was rear ended at a stop light. My car ended up rear ending the car in front of me from the accident, but my airbags did not go off. My car's warning light says my airbag has been deployed even though it did not.
Feb 14, 2026 · Air bags
There was a Recall on my Airbag that was replaced by the VW dealership in Corpus Christi but afterwards I keep getting an error and indicator for the Airbag. I've contacted the dealership multiple times and all they say is it's not covered even if the airbag they replaced is defective.. I originally submitted an issue…
Nov 5, 2025 · Air bags
I live on Hawaiʻi Island and my 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (VIN […] ) has an open federal airbag safety recall. Volkswagen informed me there is no authorized VW dealer or recall facility on Hawaiʻi Island, and that I must ship my vehicle to Oʻahu at my own expense to complete this federally required safety…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 24, 2026.