The 2015 Volkswagen Beetle has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 860,172 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 108 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15V7050002015-10-2691,867 affected
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence
If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
42
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
13
ENGINE
7
SERVICE BRAKES
7
1crashes
POWER TRAIN
6
STEERING
3
STRUCTURE:BODY
3
1crashes
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2
Total complaints108
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Unable to turn off car. Ignition switch is locked and key is unmovable.”
“The contact owns a 2015 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…”
“My car is subject to the takata air bag recall. Due to the age of the vehicle, and the hot climate where I live (california), I am in fear for my safety especially with summer around the corner. "the old farmer's almanac forecasts a "scorcher" with hotter-than-normal temperatures across most of…”
“I have been trying to get the recall fixed since I purchased my vehicle in july 2023. For nearly two years, I have received repeated letters from volkswagen urging me to have the recall addressed. However, despite calling every two months to schedule an appointment, I am always told that the part…”
“We have a big ign. Key that at times won't turn. Was informed by the dealer the mechanism is broke and it's a backordered item due to it being a common item . Failures of this part can cause the steering wheel to lock I have read”
“Ignition key gets stuck, dealer stated mechanism that holds the switch is broken. This can cause issues starting, removing the key and cause the steering wheel not to turn . I've been informed it's among the top 10 requested broken parts for vw beetles with no manufacturer making this part currently”
“The 2015 volkswagen beetle was in a minor accident that was rear-ended by another vehicle. No one was injured. The other party claimed responsibility and the vehicle was repaired and the other party paid for the repairs. The problem is with volkswagen not having the oem safety equipment available…”
“The 2015 volkswagen beetle was in a minor accident that was rear-ended by another vehicle. No one was injured. The other party claimed responsibility and the vehicle was repaired and the other party paid for the repairs. The problem is with volkswagen not having the oem safety equipment available…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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