The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 808,452 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS22V9450002022-12-2137,558 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
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.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15V7050002015-10-2691,867 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
34
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
1crashes
SUSPENSION
3
1crashes
WHEELS
3
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
2
STEERING
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
ENGINE
1
Total complaints63
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“The contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the…”
“We have been attempting to have the car in for this recall - however both the dealership and regional office have said the 'repair is not available' how long does a mfg have to start making repairs under a recall (69em) we have been patiently waiting over a year. Please advise.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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