4.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,359 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #17

Aug 022020

Beetle

  • 51,000 miles
Phone button doesn't work, no response. Bluetooth isn't discoverable. I am calling his a safety issue because I can't use my phone hands free as I thought I would be able to. Not sure if the function is broken or disconnected. It was like this when I bought it.

- Boiling Springs, PA, USA

problem #16

May 282020

Beetle

  • 15,000 miles
Have had issue with backup camera for 3 years. Have told VW about this for 3 years when turning in car for maintenance and they keep telling me nothing is wrong. Finally it quit working completely. Took it in and they told me it will take 4 to 5 months to get parts. They say it's not their problem but the supplier. Keep checking back with status after turning it in and found out parts weren't even on order till 2 weeks after turning car in for problem. It's been 2 1/2 months and no status as of yet for parts. They say they checked around the country for parts and theres none. I found a system on the internet that can be purchased to fix the problem..they will not go that way.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #15

Mar 112020

Beetle

  • 35,600 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the window regulator for the driver's side window was inoperable. The contact was unable roll the window up or down. The contact also stated that the door failed to unlock on several occasions. The contact stated that the passenger's side window regulator was previously replaced. The vehicle was taken to Volkswagen of huntington located at (838 E jericho tpke, huntington, NY 11746). The contact was informed that the window regulator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,600.

- Bay Shore, ND, USA

problem #14

Oct 112018

Beetle

  • miles
Both doors windows machine have failed in 3 years

- Guaynabo, PR, USA

problem #13

Sep 282019

Beetle

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. While the contact's daughter was driving 35 mph, multiple warning indicators illuminated and the brakes failed. The driver was able to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,000. The VIN was not available.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #12

Sep 202019

Beetle

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and the vehicle could not be turned off for approximately six months. The failure was intermittent initially, but then began occurring every day. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing; however, an appointment was scheduled with flow Volkswagen of charlottesville (1313 richmond rd, charlottesville, va 22911) for September 23, 2019. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 190723803. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Troy, VA, USA

problem #11

Feb 152019

Beetle

  • 65 miles
My key will not turn the engine off. It is stuck and will not come out. I have to disconnect the battery and the alternater to stop the engine.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #10

Sep 012018

Beetle

  • 73,000 miles
The ignition key will not turn off the car and is stuck in the ignition. It will not turn back as you normally would to turn off the car and remove the key. The only way to shut the car off is to pull the fuel pump relay/fuse. The car can be locked manually using the other key in the exterior door handle. Than the battery must be disconnected in order to prevent drain from the accessories.

- Cecilton, MD, USA

problem #9

Jan 012018

Beetle

  • 27,000 miles
Bluetooth speakerphone does not work. In our state handsfree calling is required. At this point it is a safety risk. We have had it in the dealership at least 30 days over different times. It was escalated to VW, but all they could do was say it is a known defect, and offer 14% to buy another VW. Seems strange they would not do more while under mfg warranty.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #8

Aug 012018

Beetle

  • 33,000 miles
Randomly you cannot turn off the car. You try and turn the key and it is stuck in the on position. You can turn toward start, but not off. You may have to put it in gear and drive around for a few minutes for it to turn off. Have tried to put in gear, and back out without any luck, have also tried to force, but do not want to break the key. I guess it is the same as the jetta issue, which they have confirmed, and are resolving. If you had to shut off in emergency you would not be able to do this. Now happening a couple times a week.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #7

Jul 132018

Beetle

  • 65,000 miles
Volkswagen Beetle ignition switch the key gets stuck in the ignition and can not take the key out because of the ignition switch going bad. A lot of people have filed a complaint and this seems to be a manufacturer defect. This happened to me when I was parked outside a grocery store and spent 20-30 minutes just to take the key out. This happens frequently and using this car now is a pain as I don't know if I will be able to turn the ignition off.

- Mclean, VA, USA

problem #6

Aug 052017

Beetle

  • 60,000 miles
Key is stuck in the ignition and the car will not power off, not even after taking out the battery. VW told me they had no idea how to help me and had never seen this happen before. When I look it up online, this is a common problem with Beetles and jettas.

- Platte City, MO, USA

problem #5

May 092017

Beetle

  • 37,423 miles
Key got stuck in the ignition and would not turn for it to power off. No release in the car to get the key out therefore the car would not shut off even with the battery disconnected.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #4

May 292016

Beetle

  • 13,000 miles
Esp light will come on and critical error will flash when first starting vehicle. Vehicle will sutter and will not start. When vehicle is taken to have the error message read no record is found in the car's computer. This has happened several times. Most recently an error message flashed on the screen and the whole car went dead.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #3

Apr 012015

Beetle

  • 10 miles
The backup camera on the vehicle is so dark to be almost unusable. It is supposed to be a safety device, but you cannot identify what is in your path. It has been back to the dealer for this and they cannot find a fault or a way to adjust the image. They contacted Volkswagen tech support who offered no solution and do not seem to be interested. I have asked to contact Volkswagen directly, but they have no way for the consumer to do that. This car has the "premium 8" radio and no navigation. It appears to be an odd combination as I have not been able to locate one for comparison within a 50 mile radius. Again, this is a safety issue that should be addressed before someone backs over a child or something else.

- Northampton, PA, USA

problem #2

Apr 012015

Beetle

  • 1,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the "ignition key was not in range warning" appeared across the message board. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ignition key battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #1

Jan 022015

Beetle

  • 1,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact indicated that the vehicle experienced multiple electrical malfunctions that included the vehicle shutting completely off, occasionally not being able to start, along with doors and windows occasionally not operating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the cause of the failures were due to the computer not recognizing the key fob. No additional information was available. The contact indicated that the vehicle eventually suffered a catastrophic computer failure, which completely disabled the vehicle. The vehicle was replaced by the manufacturer with an identical vehicle. The contact continued to have the electrical failures with the second vehicle. The failure mileage was 1,000.

- Alexandria, VA, USA