2013 Volkswagen Beetle Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 37%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,700miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle, 37% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,700 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We got a letter saying the air bags could go off at any time and it is a life threatening situation and we can't get it fixed for weeks. I can't drive my care under this kind of warning. What is the agency doing about this? Are they giving rentals out?”
NHTSA complaint #11396636, filed 2021-02, 130,000 miles“A recall has been identified for an issue on the frontal airbags, which may result in an explosion sending metal fragments into the driver and passengers, resulting in serious injury or death. While the remedy has been described as a replacement of the airbags, Volkswagen has yet to offer a solution to the recall, and a substantial amount of time has passed since the issue was identified. This is problematic as it is endangering to many people, including myself as I live in a hot climate, which has been identified as posing a higher risk for this airbag issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11405234, filed 2021-03, 22,000 miles“I have been trying to get the airbag recalled fixed for over a year now, and the dealer im bought the car from told me to try another dealer, and neither one seems to want to fix my car. It’s been over a year I’ve been on a waiting list and I haven’t heard anything. The dealers act like they don’t even want to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #11446692, filed 2022-01“I was rear ended at a stop light. My car ended up rear ending the car in front of me from the accident, but my airbags did not go off. My car's warning light says my airbag has been deployed even though it did not.”
NHTSA complaint #11762698, filed 2026-09“I was notified by Volkswagen in February 2021 that the airbags in my vehicle were recalled and to expect the parts to be in by March. When I called the dealership I was told there was a delay in obtaining the parts and I was also instructed by the service department that my car was not safe to drive. I have been without a vehicle since February of 2021. I do not believe this is being taken care of in a timely manner”
NHTSA complaint #11417920, filed 2021-05Related recalls
- 20V785000Dec 16, 2020Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The driver's side air bag…Covers: Volkswagen Beetle 2012–2014, Beetle Convertible 2012–2014
- 12V540000Nov 15, 2012Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport…Covers: Volkswagen Beetle 2012–2013
Related service bulletins
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Inquiries
- 11030826Mar 2, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used…
- 11014943Feb 17, 2025This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 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 2013 Volkswagen Beetle
19 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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