10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 1
Average Mileage:
104,819 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #15

Mar 052022

Beetle

  • miles
Cranked the car to move it and the drivers side airbag deployed with a massive amount of force. Did not move the car. As soon as in cranked I heard and felt the explosion of the airbag. Sent pieces of plastic and airbag towards me and shoved me into the door. I have a bruised wrist and my ears are ringing. This a concern from now on. I no longer want to cranked the car as more airbags may be faulty.

- Garner, NC, USA

problem #14

Feb 022021

Beetle

  • miles
On airbags driver light for airbag is on won't go off.on transmission it jerks the when it's in 6 it runs fine.. I have not been in any accidents with this car.thank you

- Oh - Washington Court House, OH, USA

problem #13

Jul 242020

Beetle

  • 48,658 miles
Air bag warning light stays on after start. Constantly on even when driver and passenger seat belts are engaged. Extremely dangerous! recall now. I see the issue has been reported numerous times over a decade!

- Helendale, CA, USA

problem #12

Mar 262019

Beetle

  • 1,000,460 miles
The drivers side front seat belt air bag sensor went bad. The VW dealership said the parts have been discontinued. This is a major safety hazard! there have been many complaints about this same issue I have seen, I can't believe that VW hasn't issued a recall on this by now! the air bags will not work in the event of an accident, this could lead to death! again there needs to be action taken and a recall issued before anyone gets seriously injured or killed! my seatbelt air bag light came on while I was driving causing me to pull over thinking that maybe the belt wasn't fastened all the way. The light wouldn't go out so I drove it to a garage where it sat until today still not fixed due to part being discontinued! again safety hazard as the air bags are non functional!

- Hancock, MD, USA

problem #11

Apr 022018

Beetle

  • 65,000 miles
"takata recall" (?) SRS warning light stays on after starting vehicle. 65000 miles on vehicle. Code (00591) indicates fault in driver's side seat/safety belt.

- Chatham, VA, USA

problem #10

Jan 262018

Beetle

  • 39,595 miles
Driver's seat belt buckle not reading that seat belt is buckled causing yellow seat belt /air bag light to remain on and making air bags inoperable I'm guessing. Dearler recommends new driver's side seat belt assembly.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #9

Feb 102018

Beetle

  • 82,000 miles
Takata recall, air bag light

- Pisgah Forest, NC, USA

problem #8

Feb 102017

Beetle

  • 90,000 miles
For years, Volkswagen has had a design flaw in their seat belt wiring harness. My "check engine" light came on as is the "air bag" light so I took it to a VW mechanic. He said it was a common problem with VW and Audi. He cleared the fault using a diagnostics tool. Soon the lights came back on. And they stay on...! will my air bag work with this problem" what happens if I get an engine problem such as oil pump or timing belt? my vehicle could shut down without my knowledge. That could cause an accident. And again, will my air bag work" we have looked online...this seat belt wiring design flaw has been going on for years. Yet, Volkswagen has not fixed this issue. The mechanic we used says the seat belt wiring harness is too short...therefore, when the seat is moved forward it breaks wiring in the harness. The dealer wants $600 to fix this. I do not have that kind of money! I am on ssdi.

- Charlo, MT, USA

problem #7

Dec 152015

Beetle

  • 54,000 miles
I have a 2007 VW new Beetle. I am experiencing a malfunctioning airbag issue. From my understanding the 2007 new Beetle was not initially included in the 2007 recall but I am asking for a reconsideration in this matter. This has been an ongoing issue since 12/2015. No matter what is done to rectify the situation, the warning light continues to emit. Dealership has been unwilling to clarify if my vehicle is equipped with the faulty airbags. Due to possible severity of this situation, no vehicle should be erroneously omitted with the possibility of danger existing. I appreciate your assistance in this matter.

- Smithfield, NC, USA

problem #6

May 112016

Beetle 5-cyl

  • miles
I own a 2013 passat and my airbag light came on after my warranty expired a little over a year ago; only to be told by Volkswagen it would be my responsibility until I reached out to your office and my matter was investigated only to find that L as million other customers were also affected and a recall was initiated and my vehicle was included as a result. I received another email (enclosed) that informed me of another recall, but my 2007 new Beetle was not included although the airbag light is on as well. After speaking with VW; they were unable to confirm if my 2007 should be included because most of the complaints has been on either the 2007 jetta or the passat according to the VW rep.. there has been a complete cover-up by VW, and I believe all models has been affected and the takata airbag is in my 2007 as well and should be included as they are unable to definitively say that my car does not have that particular brand. I believe it does and should be a part of the current recall as well. The letter clearly says some 2007 models. I am very grateful that your office took such swift action with my first complaint which confirmed that my issue was not an isolated incident rather worldwide and a huge cover up on the part of ww. No one should ride around unsafe and I ask that you take my complaint into consideration by adding the new Beetle to the list as well. Enclosed is the letter sent from VW. Thank you :)

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #5

Apr 162015

Beetle 5-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Air bag warning light diagnosed at service by dealer (campbell/nelson VW) indicated that a sensor or switch located in the driver-side seatbelt latch was defective and even when the seatbelt was latched, the airbag would not deploy. This turned out to be a $400 repair and I believe it should be considered for a recall.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

problem #4

Jul 242014

Beetle 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,479 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the air bag indicator continuously illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer repaired the vehicle, but the specific repairs were unknown. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 38,479. Updated 10/6/2015

- Deerfield , IL, USA

problem #3

Mar 012012

Beetle 5-cyl

  • 3,500 miles
Air bag warning light came on. Was told by dealer main airbag control module was bad and more could be bad once that was repaired and rest of system could be checked.

- Ashland, KY, USA

problem #2

Apr 012013

Beetle 5-cyl

  • 47,000 miles
Air bag light illuminated for passenger seat (indicating that air bag not working and problem). Dealer states that the air bag module and seat belt buckle need to be replaced. The air bag module and seat belt buckle should not have to be replaced on a one owner vehicle with less than 50,000 miles.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #1

Feb 032012

Beetle 5-cyl

  • 3,600 miles
The air bag module failed. Dealer said since it had failed they couldn't tell if there were any more problems with the air bag system. Module needs replaced first at a cost of $1000 then they can test the rest of the system to see if there are any other problems. If there are additional problems it will cost extra to repair.

- Ashland, KY, USA