Model year
2018 Volkswagen Beetle
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 17 complaints for the 2018 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. 1 recall marked do not drive. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (7), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4). NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 29 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,300, 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
24V834000 · Oct 30, 2024
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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…
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…
18V369000 · Jun 1, 2018
Do not driveSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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…
Complaints
17 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, 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 | 3 | 0 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR FWD | Not rated | 4 | Not Rated | Not Rated | 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 Dune Convertible · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 34 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Beetle Convertible · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 33 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Beetle Dune · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 34 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Beetle · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 33 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
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 2018 Volkswagen Beetle at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.