2016 Volkswagen Beetle Problems
Compared with other Volkswagen Beetle years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
17/100 0.5× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.5× that of a typical Volkswagen Beetle year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 3 of its 48 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported part: Air bags (35 complaints, median 42,000 mi).
- 3 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 48filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 26,298miles, 10 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 27 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 31 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The part named most often is air bags, with 35 complaints (73% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and other or unknown (5). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 70% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 26,298 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 692 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the control module and 150 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 7 Volkswagen Beetle model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 17 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags35 73%
- Electrical system6 13%
- Other or unknown5 10%
- Suspension3 6.3%
- Wheels3 6.3%
- Brakes2 4.2%
- Steering2 4.2%
- Tires2 4.2%
- Vehicle speed control2 4.2%
Also reported: Engine (1), Body and structure (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Started the car and had worming lights on. It did it before a couple days ago but went out. This time the lights won't go off and won't go over 20 MPH. The ABS light,stability light and air bag lights and tire pressure light are on. I had it towed to the dealership. I was just reading of someone with the same problem but no recall”
NHTSA complaint #11266507, filed 2019-10, 54,000 milesElectrical system: “The engine was running and kept running with key turned off, and the key could not be removed either. We had to pay vw to repair the problem and we found out that is not an isolated problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11444938, filed 2021-12Other or unknown: “I received a recall notice in november of 2019 on my 2016 vw Beetle involving a build up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch. I purchased the car from tony Volkswagen on oahu island in hawaii. I live on the island of kauai in hawaii, where there is no Volkswagen dealer and no certified Volkswagen repair technician. For a previous recall, the dealership had the car shipped back to oahu to take care of the recall issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11360954, filed 2020-09, 23,000 milesSuspension: “I heard a loud metal clang in the front of my car when I was backing up in my driveway. I took the car to the dealer and the tech performed inspection and found driver front spring broken and bearing dropped to middle of strut. Front springs, upper mounts, and bearings replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11279374, filed 2019-11, 20,620 milesMileage when problems were reported
70% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 51,811 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beetle · coupe FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.5% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Volkswagen Beetle version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beetle FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Beetle FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Beetle FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Beetle FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Beetle Dune FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Beetle Dune Convertible FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,500 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 22V945000Dec 21, 2022Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Volkswagen Beetle 2015–2016, Beetle Convertible 2015–2016
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…
- 19V615000Aug 22, 2019Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control moduleCovers: Volkswagen Beetle 2012–2019, Jetta 2011–2018, Beetle Convertible 2012–2019 +3 more
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…
- 15V705000Oct 26, 2015Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: Volkswagen Beetle 2015–2016, Passat 2015–2016, Jetta 2015–2016 +1 more
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…
Recall details for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 692 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Engine. Suggested fuel additive
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11036868Aug 6, 2026Other or unknown. Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
- 11036870Aug 4, 2026Other or unknown. Differences between a leak and seepage
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026Electrical system. This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019…
- 11035762Jul 9, 2026Engine. Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- 11034614Jun 18, 2026Engine. Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
- 11034613Jun 18, 2026Engine. Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Air bags. Inquiries
- 11034617Jun 4, 2026Engine. Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
Other model years of the Volkswagen Beetle
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 14 | 450 | 3 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 17 | 38,000 | 3 | — | 29 | — | Rising |
| 2017 | 15 | 31,900 | 3 | 5 | 27 | — | Rising |
| 2016 | 48 | 26,298 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 17 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2015 | 83 | 8,000 | 5 | 5 | 27 | 81 · More | Rising |
| 2014 | 50 | 31,254 | 5 | 5 | 26 | 59 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 93 | 45,500 | 6 | 5 | 25 | 68 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 65 | 20,000 | 6 | 4 | 25 | 92 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 30 | 53,574 | 3 | — | — | 14 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 33 | 61,000 | 2 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 60 | 46,000 | 3 | — | — | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 56 | 48,658 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 124 | 60,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 261 | 62,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 349 | 63,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 314 | 67,100 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 165 | 60,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 203 | 64,260 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 263 | 64,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 174 | 67,695 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 171 | 60,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Volkswagen Beetle model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle have?
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 35 complaints (73% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle (Beetle Dune, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 24 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle reported?
Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 26,298 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 51,811 miles; 70% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.