2016 Volkswagen Beetle Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Beetle years
- Fewer complaints than other years 16th of 21 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. That ranks 16th out of 21 Beetle model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (35 complaints, 73%), typically at around 42,000 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 48owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 2complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 35 | 73% | 42,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 6 | 13% | 8 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 5 | 10% | 21,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 3 | 6% | 20,620 | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 6% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 4% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 4% | 40,704 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 4% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 2% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 2% | 8 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 Volkswagen Beetle recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69EM.
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module; steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Problem: 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 entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum; engine and engine cooling:engine
Problem: 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 loss of brake assist.
Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an air bag failure shortly after the recall repair. The…
ABS module is defective. This results in numerous warning lights, including abs, traction control, airbags, tire pressure warning, check engine light, epc light, and speed control usability. I have no working abs, seat belt, or traction control, which is a safety issue. There was a previous safety…
On October 21st I had a recall performed at Evansville D- Patrick for a 37M2 shift lever micro switch. Today Nov 5th I was leaving work, pulling out of the drive onto highway and once I got on the road the car lost motion and just rolled. Barely made it across the highway. I got across the street…
I purchased a 2016 VW Beetle, used, in March of 2025. Over the past few weeks, I have received multiple urgent messages from Volkswagon that I need to have the airbag fixed. The communications say there is a high risk of death or serious injury and urge me to my have the repair done ASAP. They have…
See attached document for complaint
Other Volkswagen Beetle years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Beetle | 14 | 3 |
| 2018 Beetle | 17 | 3 |
| 2017 Beetle | 15 | 3 |
| 2016 | 48 | 3 |
| 2015 Beetle | 83 | 5 |
| 2014 Beetle | 50 | 5 |
| 2013 Beetle | 93 | 6 |
| 2012 Beetle | 65 | 6 |
| 2010 Beetle | 30 | 3 |
| 2009 Beetle | 33 | 2 |
| 2008 Beetle | 60 | 3 |
| 2007 Beetle | 56 | 2 |
| 2006 Beetle | 124 | 3 |
| 2005 Beetle | 261 | 3 |
| 2004 Beetle | 349 | 3 |
| 2003 Beetle | 314 | 2 |
| 2002 Beetle | 165 | 2 |
| 2001 Beetle | 203 | 2 |
| 2000 Beetle | 263 | 1 |
| 1999 Beetle | 174 | 1 |
| 1998 Beetle | 171 | 2 |
See all Volkswagen Beetle problems by year, every Volkswagen model, or the Volkswagen VIN decoder.
Similar Volkswagen models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle?
Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, unknown or other problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 35 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Beetle model years, the 2016 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.