repaired · 2022 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2014 Volkswagen BeetleProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 50 owner complaints about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-615 the manufacturer reports only 47% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 10, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle has problems
50 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
15Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
13Electrical system
6Structure1 crash/fire/injury
6Engine1 crash/fire/injury
4Visibility/wiper
3Steering
3Vehicle speed control
3Power train
3Service brakes
118 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 15 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 13 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 1 |
| Engine | 6 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 11 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2014 Volkswagen Beetle recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Anti-theft: control module
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…
repaired · 2016 Q2
Fuel injection system: fuel rail
Risk. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. Vehicle occupants could be injured by falling glass.
Show 1 more recall
repaired · 2015 Q3
Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
Risk. The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.
Best & worst years
2014 vs. every other Beetle year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Beetle median. How we score
'68'69'70'71'73'74'77'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2014 Volkswagen Beetle safety ratings
2014 Volkswagen Beetle C FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Beetle owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are 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…
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…
Beginning in June 2021 and thereafter, my husband and I received notifications from Volkswagen of America of a life-threatening urgent airbag safety recall for our 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible - our only vehicle. The recall is referenced on your websiteManufacturer Recall Number 69BC; NHTSA…
Own a 2014 Beetle?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.