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ProblemsByVin Index / 2013-VOLKSWAGEN-BEETLE / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2013 Volkswagen Beetle owner complaints

101 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. 20 of them are reproduced below in full, most recent first, grouped by category.

airbags 6 complaints shown

37 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
11/24/2021 ODI #11441606.0

NHYSA: 20V785 Volkswagen RECALL 69BC - Driver Front Airbag

11/14/2023 ODI #11555173.0

Had the Takata Air Bag Recall completed at VW dealership in CC, Tx. Shortly after the Air Bag kept giving Errors and then it would include Low Air Pressure, ABS and Anti Skid Warnings.. Contacted the dealership, had the system check with no issues.. Had the system checked locally at repair shop with no issues.. went to leave and Air Bag Warning stated Error,, they rechecked and found no Issues.. Computer showed no Errors.. I was informed that apparently the only issue is "Possibly" the Air Bag needs to be replaced again but the dealership refuses to without a Recall Requests.

11/05/2025 ODI #11697723.0

I live on Hawaiʻi Island and my 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (VIN [XXX] ) has an open federal airbag safety recall. Volkswagen informed me there is no authorized VW dealer or recall facility on Hawaiʻi Island, and that I must ship my vehicle to Oʻahu at my own expense to complete this federally required safety repair. VW has only offered to reimburse 25% of the inter-island shipping cost, leaving me responsible for the majority of the expense. Because VW does not maintain an authorized recall facility within reasonable driving access, this places an unreasonable burden on me as the owner and effectively restricts my ability to obtain the free remedy required under federal law. I am requesting NHTSA’s assistance to verify whether Volkswagen is meeting its obligation under 49 U.S.C.

11/03/2025 ODI #11697116.0

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part had been on back order for 3 months. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

09/30/2025 ODI #11690604.0

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that the air bag needed for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called two other dealers, Volkswagen Jackson Service (5320 Interstate 55 North Frontage Rd), and Harper Volkswagen Parts & Service (9901 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922), who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

09/24/2026 ODI #11766785.0

Component Affected: AIRBAGS: FORE AND AFT INTERIOR OVERHEAD/OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM Description of Safety Defect: I own a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L (Build Date: April 2013). The vehicle is experiencing a permanent Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) failure, indicated by a persistent airbag warning light on the dashboard and an active passenger seatbelt warning chime. A diagnostic scan reveals active fault code B12251B (Passenger Seat Occupant Recognition Sensor Mat - Resistance Too High), pointing directly to a failure of the digital 3-pin LIN-Bus occupancy sensor module (OEM Part Number: 5C6959339B). This system failure suppresses the passenger-side airbag deployment mechanism entirely, leaving the front passenger completely unprotected in a collision. This vehicle was

engine 2 complaints shown

5 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
11/19/2021 ODI #11441099.0

Engine stalled and made jerking movements when coming to a stop and continued. Per mechanic, engine had metal contaminants and cannot be repaired. Needs new engine. Check engine light did not come on until after malfunction. Could have occurred on roadway which would have been hazard to driver and others. Second opinion from another mechanic obtained and confirmed. Not inspected by manufacturer. Oil was changed at VW dealership week before malfunction. No dealership available where malfunction occurred.

11/08/2022 ODI #11492768.0

I have a diesel leak which Volkswagen did not repair (after I towed it there and told them about it in writing) and is not causing a light in the dash however, when plugging in an ODBEleven, several codes are generated and one is related to a low fuel pressure sensor. I also watched the fuel line dripping. VW claims that it is unreasonable to ask them to pay what I already paid to have the car fixed (diagnostics, rental, tow). It was reasonable for me to buy it and pay for all that though apparently. With a diesel leak, it's unsafe to drive so I currently have a piece of metal outside that I'm only halfway through paying on. This indeed is a TDI 2.0L they sold me 3 years ago.

other 2 complaints shown

10/22/2022 Crash ODI #11490412.0

I got a bunch of calls and many notices regarding an airbag recall, but I was never made aware of the shift lever recall. I parked my vehicle on my street and it rolled away from me and crashed into my neighbors car. It was not until after I paid out of my own pocket to have it repaired that I was told it was a recall. Vw has failed in notifying me of this and someone could have been seriously injured or even killed.

09/13/2020 150,000 mi ODI #11354653.0

Diesel particulate filter failure after vw diesel fix

tires 2 complaints shown

4 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $150 · see tires cluster analysis →
10/01/2014 7,000 mi ODI #10640417.0

I had two blowouts in back to back weeks in april 2014 and thought it was bad luck. The tires were continental contipro and had less than 20k miles. I replaced 2 each time since the car is FWD. They came on my 2013 beetle tdi. At the end of august in rush hour traffic the tire warning light came on and within minutes the tire blew at 65mph. I made it to the side of the road. The outside of the tire blew completely off fussing about a 2" section to the rim. The inside had 2 major sidewall failures. I got home and googled continental contipro complaints and found hundreds of the same issues. I replaced the blown tire and parked the car. I ordered a set of michelins and had them installed this weekend. The continentals are in my basement until there is an admission or resolution th

09/10/2021 ODI #11432429.0

Continental passenger rear tire (215/60 R 16) blew out while I was driving on the freeway. There was a swerve then a pound rumbling noise. It was very dangerous. I was put at severe risk because it blew out on the freeway. There were no warning lamp last prior to this incident.

powertrain 2 complaints shown

5 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
09/24/2026 ODI #11766649.0

Upon pulling into my driveway, the vehicle would not shift into Park. It got stuck in neutral and allows me to turn the vehicle on and off, but will not shift from neutral into park or drive or anything. The shifter is completely stuck, and the manual override button does nothing.

09/14/2016 ODI #10906280.0

Takata recall on 8/13/16 while driving this vehicle without warning, the engine shuts off. I was traveling about 45 MPH on a city street and as I attempt to move over the engine shut off and I could not steer the vehicle. After coming to a complete stop I was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle did this several more times before I was to send it back to the car lot. I was told that the crank shaft was repaired on the vehicle. On 9/13/2016 (1month later) while traveling south on a busy city street at approximately 45 MPH, in front of an 18 wheeler this car shut of and immediately restarted on its very own. I moved over to a slower lane to prevent any accidents. I proceeded to my destination and without any warning the vehicle engine shut off again, only this time I had to manually rest

equipment 1 complaint shown

12/29/2014 32,000 mi ODI #10668742.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the air conditioner blew hot air. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 32,000.

visibility 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $350 · see visibility cluster analysis →
12/22/2014 19,800 mi ODI #10667565.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen beetle. While driving 60 MPH, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise. The contact discovered that the sunroof exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v658000 (visibility). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,800.

fuel system 1 complaint shown

12/01/2013 10,300 mi ODI #10554249.0

Low pressure diesel fuel tank fuel pump failure. No visible sign of contaminated fuel such as water or debris. This is second incident. Vehicle will suddenly slow to less than 2000 RPM and will not exceed 45 MPH. Dealer replaced pump under warranty the first failure and now is blaming failure on fuel. Both incidents restricted the vehicles ability to accelerate and almost resulted in accidents. *tr

body 1 complaint shown

11/13/2019 35,000 mi ODI #11279786.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the driver's side door did not close tightly. The vehicle was taken to heritage imports (410-363-8300, located at 9808 reisterstown rd, owings mills, md 21117) and was informed to take the vehicle to a body shop. The vehicle was not taken to a body shop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

electrical 1 complaint shown

16 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
10/02/2015 56,000 mi ODI #10779419.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the radio was not working properly. When activated, the radio prompted the contact for a code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 56,000.

suspension 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · severe · avg repair $900 · see suspension cluster analysis →
09/18/2020 ODI #11355722.0

Bought car one year and a half ago. Buy car used with 40,000 miles on it. Started having issues with the power steering and leaning at idle. Car skids very easily and rain, can easily cause crashes. Car airbags were recalled.

Showing 20 of 101 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Volkswagen/Beetle#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-09-27. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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