The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 784,679 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V7850002020-12-16105,652 affected
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.
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
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.
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…
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
2
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1
SEATS
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact stated that after his wife had driven the vehicle, upon restarting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the traction control and abs warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the local dealer…”
“The contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact stated that after his wife had driven the vehicle, upon restarting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the traction control and abs warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the local dealer…”
“The contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact stated that after his wife had driven the vehicle, upon restarting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the traction control and abs warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the local dealer…”
“The contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat would no longer slide backwards. The contact was concerned that the front passenger was too close to the air bag system due to the seat malfunction. Additionally, the trunk door handle…”
“The contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat would no longer slide backwards. The contact was concerned that the front passenger was too close to the air bag system due to the seat malfunction. Additionally, the trunk door handle…”
“The contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat would no longer slide backwards. The contact was concerned that the front passenger was too close to the air bag system due to the seat malfunction. Additionally, the trunk door handle…”
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 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 contact stated that gunther volkswagen daytona beach located at 1270 n…”
“Received letter for recall, instructed to call for appointment, letter .did not state what the problem was. Checked your website, showed no recall for this vehicle. Concerned if this is a rip off, since the letter stated it was a "manufacturer's recall"? Letter was from: autonation volkswagen, las…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.