2017 Volkswagen Beetle Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 31,900miles, 6 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 2017 Volkswagen Beetle (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle. The part named most often is air bags, with 6 complaints (40% of the total), followed by other or unknown (5) and electrical system (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 83% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 31,900 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 552 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 34 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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 bags6 40%
- Other or unknown5 33%
- Electrical system2 13%
- Lane departure1 6.7%
- Steering1 6.7%
- Suspension1 6.7%
- Vehicle speed control1 6.7%
Example complaints
Air bags: “The safety recall with the driver’s air bag still does not have a remedy available to fix the problem. My safety is at risk every time this vehicle is driven. Nothing has occurred, but this needs to be rectified immediately.”
NHTSA complaint #11666777, filed 2025-06Other or unknown: “Nhtsa: 19v615 november 11, 2019, I made an appointment to get this recall 37m2-micro switch on my 2017 vw Beetle, when I arrived, I was told they did not have the parts to fix this recall. I am trying to sell my car and it is not prudent to try to sell a vehicle with an open recall on it. I was first notified of this recall in august 2019 and we are now in november 2019 and according to what I am told there is still no fix for this recall. My question is 'what is the hold up'? …”
NHTSA complaint #11279476, filed 2019-11, 9,000 milesElectrical system: “Weather conditions: rain. After relatively short drive garaged vehicle and turned engine off. Very noticeable burning odor appears to come from engine compartment. Loud motor noise coming from rear area (electrical motor noise not engine/fan noise) which continued for approximately thirty minutes. I am aware of the fuel pump running for a second or two when I first open the drivers door under normal conditions. This is a quiet hum, hardly noticeable, and not an issue. The noise addressed above is quite loud and abnormal ( almost like a bearing running dry). …”
NHTSA complaint #11129857, filed 2018-09, 4,500 milesBack-over prevention (rear camera): “The rear view camera stopped working (black screen.) I have tried to soft reset the infotainment display unit as well as a hard reset by disconnecting car battery to no avail. The trunk lock mechanism is operational (the rear view camera unit is located in the same unit.)”
NHTSA complaint #11737477, filed 2026-05Mileage when problems were reported
83% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,000 and 43,800 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 2017 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: 2016: 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 2017 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 | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 23 | 29 | 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
- 24V834000Oct 30, 2024Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Volkswagen Beetle 2017–2019, Passat 2006–2007, 2012–2014, 2017, Beetle Convertible 2017–2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant…
- 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…
- 17V136000Mar 2, 2017Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Volkswagen Beetle 2017, Jetta 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these…
Recall details for the 2017 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. 552 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Engine. Suggested fuel additive
- 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
- 11030847Mar 27, 2026Engine. 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 error message…
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 2017 Volkswagen Beetle have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 6 complaints (40% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 5.
Has the 2017 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 2017 Volkswagen Beetle do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 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 2017 Volkswagen Beetle get?
The EPA rates the 2017 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 2017 Volkswagen Beetle reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 31,900 miles and the middle half falls between 9,000 and 43,800 miles; 83% 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.