Volkswagen

Beetle

Compact Cars · model years 2012 to 2019

Includes Beetle and Beetle Convertible as listed by the EPA.

See all 54 Beetle trims All Volkswagen cars

The verdict

Best year: 2017. complaints: 15, below this model's typical 24; recalls: 4, below this model's typical 5.

Worst year: 2012. complaints: 65, about 2x this model's typical 32; recalls: 7, above this model's typical 5.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Volkswagen Beetle
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
2012	4Gas	25	170	$2,800	7	65	VISIBILITY 15%, AIR BAGS 14%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%
complaints: 65, about 2x this model's typical 32 recalls: 7, above this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 28 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.4 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	11Diesel, Gas	25	155	$2,600	7	98	AIR BAGS 28%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9%
complaints: 98, above this model's typical 89 recalls: 7, above this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 57 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.6 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	14Diesel, Gas	26.5	170	$2,550	6	54	AIR BAGS 22%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, ENGINE 8%
complaints: 54, below this model's typical 113 recalls: 6, above this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.1 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	11Diesel, Gas	27	150	$2,350	6	99	AIR BAGS 44%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%
complaints: 99, above this model's typical 89 recalls: 6, above this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 62 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	7Gas	26	210	$2,400	4	57	AIR BAGS 62%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7%
complaints: 57, in line with this model's typical 57 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 5 Score: 72 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	3Gas	28	no data	$2,200	4	15	AIR BAGS 32%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 26%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 15, below this model's typical 24 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 5 Score: 78 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	2Gas	29	174	$2,150	4	16	AIR BAGS 33%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 19%
complaints: 16, in line with this model's typical 16 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 5 NHTSA advised parking the 2018 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 47 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	2Gas	29	174	$2,150	4	14	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%, ENGINE 13%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 13%
complaints: 14, below this model's typical 16 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 5 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2012: 25 to 2019: 29

Owner complaints2012: 65 to 2019: 14

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Volkswagen Beetle to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.