The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 784,792 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V7850002020-12-16105,652 affected
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible 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.
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BC.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER19V6790002019-09-25113 affected
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle,…
Consequence
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
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…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:HILL START ASSIST:SOFTWARE
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a…”
“The contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a stop sign and removing the foot from the brake pedal, the contact became aware that the hill holder hill assist feature, designed to make hill starts easier by preventing the vehicle from…”
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact had initially received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags). The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts remained unavailable despite having received a letter…”
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to volkswagen of palms springs (67909 e. Palm canyon dr,…”
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was…”
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet…”
“Purchased as a cpo vehicle in sept '17. Started stalling month later. Car stalled going 50 mph, stalled in a parking lot and stalled on highway! Very dangerous! Brought the car in to vw 3 times to be fixed - finally they replaced fuel pump and issue seemed to be resolved. Fast forward 18 months…”
“Incident 1 several months ago, I pulled up to a stop light. As the vehicle neared a complete stop, the engine stalled. I was unable to re-start the vehicle for 20 minutes. (the engine would crank but never start.) incidents 2 through 4 there were problems with the vehicle restarting on hot days,…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.