2012 Volkswagen Beetle recalls (7)

Every 2012 Volkswagen Beetle recall

Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.

• Air Bags · NHTSA 20V785000

  Dec 16, 2020Air Bags:Frontal

  Problem

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

  Risk

  An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  Fix

  Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BC.

  Full recall details for 20V785000 →

• Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 20E064000

  Sep 23, 2020Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder

  Problem

  Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

  Risk

  If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.

  Full recall details for 20E064000 →

• Unknown Or Other · NHTSA 19V679000

  Sep 25, 2019Unknown Or Other

  Problem

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

  Risk

  If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

  Fix

  Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

  Full recall details for 19V679000 →

• Electrical System · NHTSA 19V615000

  Aug 22, 2019Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module

  Problem

  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 handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

  Risk

  Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

  Fix

  Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

  Full recall details for 19V615000 →

• Suspension · NHTSA 14V656000

  Oct 20, 2014Suspension:Rear

  Problem

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.

  Risk

  The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

  Full recall details for 14V656000 →

• Air Bags · NHTSA 12V540000

  Nov 15, 2012Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

  Problem

  Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. If the right front passenger seat gets wet, the occupant control module may not properly detect the presence of a child restraint installed in the seat.

  Risk

  If the control module does not detect a child seat installed, the airbag will not turn off. If the airbag does not turn off, in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment, a child secured in the child seat may be at an increased risk for serious injury.

  Fix

  Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the control modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

  Full recall details for 12V540000 →

• Tires · NHTSA 12V331000

  Jul 16, 2012Tires

  Problem

  VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BEETLE VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES."

  Risk

  DUE TO AN ERROR AT THE FACTORY, THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT ARE POSSIBLY NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION & RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES." IN ADDITION, CUSTOMERS MAY BE UNAWARE THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES. SUMMER TIRES HAVE DIFFERENT GRIP AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS. THESE ISSUES MAY LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.

  Fix

  VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT TIRES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

  Full recall details for 12V331000 →

2012 Volkswagen Beetle complaints and service bulletins

Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, reporting 4 crashes, 3 injuries. Volkswagen has issued at least 1,078 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.

Most-reported components

• Visibility15
• Air Bags12
• Electrical System12
• Visibility/Wiper10
• Steering7
• Engine6

Service bulletins by component

• Equipment (626)
• Electrical System (377)
• Engine and Engine Cooling (327)
• Engine (167)
• Power Train (165)
• Visibility (97)

Read Volkswagen Beetle owner complaints and bulletins, every year

Other Volkswagen Beetle model years

← 2010 Volkswagen Beetle · 2013 Volkswagen Beetle →

• 2019 (4)
• 2018 (4)
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• 2015 (6)
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• 2013 (7)
• 2012 (7)
• 2010 (3)
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• 2007 (1)
• 2006 (1)
• 2005 (1)
• 2004 (1)
• 2003 (1)
• 2002 (1)
• 2001 (1)
• 2000 (1)
• 1999 (1)
• 1998 (1)

All Volkswagen Beetle recalls, every model year