The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 862,851 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 71 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and…
Consequence
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809…
VISIBILITY14V6580002014-10-207,062 affected
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Beetle vehicles manufactured June 13, 2013, to July 3, 2014. The glass sunroofs in the affected vehicles may break when the vehicles are operated over a hard road surface or strike a pothole.
Consequence
Vehicle occupants could be injured by falling glass. A sunroof break during vehicle operation also increases the risk of driver distraction and a resulting vehicle crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60B9.
POWER TRAIN14V1820002014-04-1526,452 affected
Defect
Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
Consequence
The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
15
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
ENGINE
6
1crashes1fires2injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY
5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
1crashes1fires
VISIBILITY/WIPER
4
SERVICE BRAKES
3
STEERING
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2
Total complaints71
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“This complaint involves the failure of the abs control module. Upon starting the car, audible warnings as well as dash warning lights indicate urgent brake failure, abs failure, airbag failure and stability control failure. In my particular case, the rear brake calipers do not activate fully when…”
“This complaint involves the failure of the abs control module. Upon starting the car, audible warnings as well as dash warning lights indicate urgent brake failure, abs failure, airbag failure and stability control failure. In my particular case, the rear brake calipers do not activate fully when…”
“The contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel…”
“The timing chain on my 2014 r-line turbo volkswagen beetle with only 45,000 miles failed and subsequently destroyed the engine. Apparently this is a known issue with vw and audi's manufactured between 2009 - 2014. There was a class action lawsuit against vw that does not apply to our situation as…”
“Roof has cracked from sunroof to the pillar in multiple locations it is avaliable for inspection. It’s a common issues with beetles with sun roofs my concern is if it cracks enough a large piece may come off and potentially strike another vehicle especially at freeway speeds dealer has denied…”
“On my dashboard, my passenger seat airbag started going off. I brought my vw beetle in for its 100,000-mile maintenance check and asked about the airbag. My mechanic informed me that the passenger seat airbag was failing, and if I were driving with someone and crashed, their airbag would not…”
“The contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the high-beam headlights, the lever failed to operate as designed. The contact stated who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the multifunction lever switch failed to…”
“The contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated the ignition failed to turn off and the gear shifter did not recognize the park gear. The contact stated the key would not unlatch and was eventually fractured. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact received…”
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 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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