Model year
2006 Volkswagen Beetle
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 124 complaints for the 2006 Volkswagen Beetle (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (30), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (12), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 22–34 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,800–$3,050, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 263 complaints
- 2001 203 complaints
- 2002 165 complaints
- 2003 314 complaints
- 2004 349 complaints
- 2005 261 complaints
- 2006 124 complaints
- 2007 56 complaints
- 2008 60 complaints
- 2009 33 complaints
- 2010 30 complaints
- 2012 65 complaints
- 2013 93 complaints
- 2014 50 complaints
- 2015 83 complaints
- 2016 48 complaints
- 2017 15 complaints
- 2018 17 complaints
- 2019 14 complaints
Recalls
10V621000 · Dec 10, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB…
07V063000 · Feb 20, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
06V043000 · Feb 9, 2006
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17-INCH WHEELS AND A 2.5L ENGINE FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A TIRE INFORMATION LABEL THAT LISTS AN INCORRECT FRONT…
Complaints
124 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 7, fire flag on 1, injury field 9, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Beetle Convertible · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| New Beetle Convertible · 2.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| New Beetle · 1.9L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 31 | 40 | 34 | — | — | $2,800 |
| New Beetle · 1.9L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 30 | 38 | 33 | — | — | $2,900 |
| New Beetle · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| New Beetle · 2.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 29 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2006 Volkswagen Beetle at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.