Model year
2012 Volkswagen Beetle
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 65 complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 3 recalls and 0 complaints under BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (12), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11), VISIBILITY/WIPER (10). NHTSA rated the 2 DR FWD 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,700–$3,400, 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
20V785000 · Dec 16, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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…
19V679000 · Sep 25, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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…
19V615000 · Aug 22, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE; STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
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…
14V656000 · Oct 20, 2014
SUSPENSION:REAR
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…
12V540000 · Nov 15, 2012
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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…
12V331000 · Jul 16, 2012
TIRES
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BEETLE VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES."
Complaints
65 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 4, fire flag on 0, injury field 3, 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.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| BEETLE CONVERTIBLE | 3 | 0 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.105 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beetle · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 22 | 30 | 25 | — | — | $3,300 |
| Beetle · 2.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 29 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Beetle · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 30 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| Beetle · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 31 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
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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 2012 Volkswagen Beetle at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.