2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (5) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2) · Electrical System:adas:hill Start Assist:software (1)
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal 2020-12-16 · campaign 20V785000 · 105,652 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Unknown Or Other 2019-09-25 · campaign 19V679000 · 113 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:control Module 2019-08-22 · campaign 19V615000 · 679,027 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (1,037)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-17 · V0116152014815_20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suggested fuel additive
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-06 · TT 00-13-04_7 · Other
permission to change daily order upgraded to red order
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-04 · V0026012081638_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
differences between a leak and seepage
Electrical System 2026-07-15 · VOS-26-42 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 - hotfix 12-v battery test(s) – no battery diagnosis - inconclusive test result.
Engine 2026-07-09 · V1718062017813_24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
oil consumption measurement and electronic oil consumption measurement
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,037 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-05-06 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufac…”
2024-05-22 · Electrical System:adas:hill Start Assist:software · 35,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact stated that while the vehicle was at a stop sign and removing the foot from the brake pedal, the contact became aware that the hill holder hill assist feature, designed to make hill starts easier by preventing the vehicle from rolling backward was taking longer to release the brakes…”
2022-01-06 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. the manufacture…”
2021-09-02 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact had initially received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags). the dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts remained unavailable despite having received a letter stating otherwise. the contact called back the same deal…”
2021-08-06 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had excee…”
2021-03-11 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the vehicle was taken to volkswagen of palms springs (67909 e. palm canyon dr, cathedral city, ca 92234, (706)760-1100) where it was con…”
2019-05-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 72,000 mi“purchased as a cpo vehicle in sept '17. started stalling month later. car stalled going 50 mph, stalled in a parking lot and stalled on highway! very dangerous! brought the car in to vw 3 times to be fixed - finally they replaced fuel pump and issue seemed to be resolved. fast forward 18 months and it is happening again! first in a parking lo…”
2018-02-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 50,000 mi“incident 1 several months ago, i pulled up to a stop light. as the vehicle neared a complete stop, the engine stalled. i was unable to re-start the vehicle for 20 minutes. (the engine would crank but never start.) incidents 2 through 4 there were problems with the vehicle restarting on hot days, but i don't have detailed information because i …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.