Model year 2016 · Volkswagen

2016 Volkswagen Beetle recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The most recent was reported on December 21, 2022. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: BEETLE, BEETLE CONVERTIBLE.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle, newest first
NHTSA number	Reported	Component
22V945000	December 21, 2022	Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module
19V615000	August 22, 2019	Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control Module
15V705000	October 26, 2015	Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine

Systems involved: Air Bags (1) · Electrical System (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1) · Steering (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 22V945000Manufacturer no. 69EM

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

Report received by NHTSA: December 21, 2022
Owner notification: October 26, 2023
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 37,558 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: BEETLE, BEETLE CONVERTIBLE

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 22V945000, filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 19V615000Manufacturer no. 37M2

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control Module

Report received by NHTSA: August 22, 2019
Owner notification: November 19, 2019
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 679,027 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle: June 10, 2011 – July 29, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record: BEETLE, BEETLE CONVERTIBLE

Components: Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control Module; Steering › Column Locking › Anti-Theft Device

Defect summary

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 shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Safety risk

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 19V615000, filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 15V705000Manufacturer no. 23R1

Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine

Report received by NHTSA: October 26, 2015
Owner notification: March 9, 2016
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 91,867 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle: November 14, 2014 – August 18, 2015
Model names in the NHTSA record: BEETLE

Components: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine; Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 15V705000, filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: December 21, 2022.