2012 Volkswagen Beetle Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 11%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,399miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, 11% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,399 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.
“While turning out of a driveway I heard a bang noise. It was night and at the time I did not see what went wrong until an inspection later removing the driver side front wheel. The top of the strut spring broke. The top of a mcpherson strut is a pivot for the steering. The car is a 2012 with 86,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11317900, filed 2020-03, 86,000 miles“Under certain daytime lighting conditions several of the dash panel instruments (speedometer, and tachometer) can not be read, since these are not illuminated unless the headlights are on. There are no options in the supplied controls to turn these dash lights on without turning on the headlights. Vw of america has been contacted with regard to this concern and has indicated there is not 'fix' for this condition. My wife and I are very concerned with this condition. We are pursuing an alternative lighting arrangement to solve this condition.”
NHTSA complaint #10481270, filed 2012-10, 400 miles“While the car was in motion the steering locked up, preventing any kind of turning of the steering wheel, causing a catosrophic crash injuring the driver on a city street.”
NHTSA complaint #11350776, filed 2020-08, 100,000 miles“There is a high pitch whistling noise in the steering system. It is present when the vehicle is sitting still and while the vehicle is traveling. The noise only increases when the steering wheel is moved back and forth. It is an intermittent sound. The dealership has replaced the power steering pump twice and the sound did not go away. They drove a brand new bug and told us that all the bugs have the same noise. The sound is like when a window is slightly open while traveling at a high rate of speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10532044, filed 2013-07, 100 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 26,399. Updated 04/29/16”
NHTSA complaint #10840219, filed 2016-03, 26,399 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 7% |
| 2016 | 2 | 4% |
| 2015 | 3 | 4% |
| 2014 | 3 | 6% |
| 2013 | 6 | 6% |
| 2012 | 7 | 11% |
| 2010 | 3 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 3% |
| 1998 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
21 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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