2009 Volkswagen Beetle Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 15%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,696miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle, 15% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,696 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Air bag light came on last spring took it dealership next day and they charged me 110 to tell me my air bag light was on 900 to have faulty air bag control module replaced.. I am waiting on a recall but wanted to report the issue. I started the vehicle and that's when the light came on”
NHTSA complaint #11176390, filed 2019-02, 51,393 miles“While slowly approaching a parking space in a shopping center my 2009 vw Beetle suddenly accelerated, jumping over the curb and sidewalk, and crashing into the side of the building. It then rebounded about 6-8 feet. The passenger side airbag deployed but the driver side airbag didn't.”
NHTSA complaint #10846319, filed 2016-03, 78,000 miles“The airbag warning light is constantly lit up on the dashboard. It has been determined that it is a malfunction of the airbag control module and can’t be reset. There has been a recall on previous models of the car, and it should be extended to this model’s year. It poses a risk to safety as if there were to be an issue with the airbags where the light would warn me, I wouldn’t know because the light is already on and it would be impossible to determine if there was a problem. If there is an airbag issue, in case of an accident it would be a huge safety risk. …”
NHTSA complaint #11444270, filed 2021-12“The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the air bag light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the passeger side air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 28,792.”
NHTSA complaint #10840386, filed 2016-03, 28,792 miles“The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the air bag sensors needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10583558, filed 2014-04, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Inquiries
- 10231584Feb 2, 2023VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
- 10205524Dec 15, 2021Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P053F in the ECM Customer states MIL-on with any combination of P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P1D74 and/or P1D75 in the ECM Customer states…
- 10205523Dec 13, 2021Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P053F in the ECM Customer states MIL-on with any combination of P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P1D74 and/or P1D75 in the ECM Customer states…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 | 41% |
| 2017 | 6 | 40% |
| 2016 | 35 | 73% |
| 2015 | 42 | 51% |
| 2014 | 15 | 30% |
| 2013 | 34 | 37% |
| 2012 | 12 | 18% |
| 2009 | 5 | 15% |
| 2008 | 7 | 12% |
| 2007 | 15 | 27% |
| 2006 | 10 | 8% |
| 2005 | 31 | 12% |
| 2004 | 73 | 21% |
| 2003 | 60 | 19% |
| 2002 | 43 | 26% |
| 2001 | 40 | 20% |
| 2000 | 64 | 24% |
| 1999 | 22 | 13% |
| 1998 | 14 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology