The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 716,585 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS22V9450002022-12-2137,558 affected
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.
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
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.
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
11
Total complaints11
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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 contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.