Model year
2016 Volkswagen Beetle
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 48 complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 11 complaints under BEETLE CONVERTIBLE. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (35), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5). NHTSA rated the 2 DR FWD 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–28 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,400–$2,600, 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
22V945000 · Dec 21, 2022
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,…
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…
15V705000 · Oct 26, 2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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…
Complaints
48 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 2, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, 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 | 2 | 11 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.105 | NHTSA photo |
| C FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beetle Convertible · 1.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Beetle Convertible · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Beetle · 1.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Beetle · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Beetle · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Beetle Convertible · 2L · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Beetle · 2L · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Beetle Dune · 1.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 31 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Beetle Dune Convertible · 1.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 31 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
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 2016 Volkswagen Beetle at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.