2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (11)
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2022-12-21 · campaign 22V945000 · 37,558 vehicles
Defect: 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, 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: Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69EM.
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 (604)
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 604 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-09-15 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable …”
2023-09-15 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (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 manufact…”
2023-08-25 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. an unknown local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the m…”
2023-07-10 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was not contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall r…”
2023-07-03 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer was made aware of …”
2023-05-30 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of …”
2023-05-19 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the …”
2023-05-04 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was not made aware…”
2023-04-12 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (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 manuf…”
2023-03-31 · Air Bags“takata recall. the contact owns a 2016 volkswagen beetle convertible. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceed a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.