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2013 Volkswagen Beetle Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle, most often about the air bags (37% of complaints, typically around 47,500 miles). It is 8th of 19 Beetle model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2013 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Air bags
34 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Vw recall: 69bc, driver frontal airbag, NHTSA: 20v785 4/16/21: today I called local vw dealership, (southpoint Volkswagen, 13940 airline hwy., baton rouge, la 70817, [phone]) to schedule repair of this recall. Dealership service department informed me that they are only scheduling (1) recall repair per day and the…
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. While operating the vehicle, the air bag indicator remained illuminated, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to Volkswagen of murrieta (41300 date st., murrieta, ca) where it was diagnosed that the driver's side air bag was faulty and needed to be replaced. The…
Electrical
19 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the radio was not working properly. When activated, the radio prompted the contact for a code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 56,000.
I have noticed my center driver-side headlight dim/turn off for some time thinking the headlight was bad. I had the headlight replaced in february but still had people tell me it was out and at times I could see this in the reflection of truck tailgates, etc. The surrounding daytime running light can make it hard to…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles.
Vw Beetle (2013) would not turn off as the key was stuck in ignition while the car was running! Stopped at gas station to fill up and when I tried to remove key, would not come out. Had experience problem the day before but thought using a different key would help but it didn't--same problem. Have experienced frequent…
Door lock have quit working properly, what make me think this might be a bigger problem than the 600$ I have had to pay separately for each door is an experience I had last week...upon entering the vehicle and closing the door, my battery died, and I was unable to exit the vehicle, as the Beetle requires the window to…
Engine
10 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle jerked and stalled without warning. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure…
We were driving home in our 2013 Volkswagen Beetle convertible when the engine died causing a lack of steering control. This is actually the second time this has happened with this vehicle. My wife is pregnant and I have lost confidence in this car being able to move my family around safely. I have searched online and…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles.
When going over speed bumps or bumps in roads, the suspension is squeaky. In motion on city streets the gas cap became defective and the check engine light is on. Service department at vw states the gas cap needs replaced. There is now a noise on the back right panel behind the gas cap after turning off car.
First this is my 2nd complaint on this sme vehicle. I also posted last year on this site when this vehicle stalled in middle of freeway going 60 MPH. Now this car has trouble starting. Especially after sitting a few days. Was parked at airport parking for 4 days. Sputtered a few minutes before starting but finally…
Steering
6 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle jerked and stalled without warning. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure…
We were driving home in our 2013 Volkswagen Beetle convertible when the engine died causing a lack of steering control. This is actually the second time this has happened with this vehicle. My wife is pregnant and I have lost confidence in this car being able to move my family around safely. I have searched online and…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: body.
My daughter's 2013 vw Beetle does not have an emergency trunk release. The only way to release it is to lower the rear seats, crawl into the trunk and using your key, insert it into a slot in the dark, and slide it while pushing up on the trunk! Not very good for a child who would be locked in !
The trunk latch does not work intermittently. The vehicle has keyless electronic locks. Brought to dealer but the latch works fine. When this occurs, the trunk is not accessible unless someone crawls not the the trunk via the back seat. Condition has been intermittent since purchase.
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
Windshield randomly cracked while parked in my driveway in 80 degree weather, in the shade. Crack goes from roof, down behind rear-view mirror, then toward the passenger side. It appears to be a stress fracture, as there is not visible sign of rock damage. The top line of the windshield is clearly unlevel now. Appears…
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving 60 MPH, the contact heard a loud abnormal noise. The contact discovered that the sunroof exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v658000 (visibility). The manufacturer was notified of the failure.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Volkswagen Beetle recalls
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Other: unknown or other
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began november 6, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01d7. Note: this recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18v-329.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 volkswagen passat, 2018 tiguan lwb, 2007-2009 jetta sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 jetta, 2013 jetta hybrid, 2008-2009 jetta sportwagen, 2015 golf sportwagen, 2013 golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 beetle and beetle convertible, 2008-2010 beetle, and beetle convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Electrical: 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 injury or a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full 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."
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began april 7, 2015. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 jetta vehicles manufactured march 1, 2010, to november 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 beetle vehicles manufactured march 1, 2011, to july 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: If the control module does not detect a child seat installed, the airbag will not turn off. If the airbag does not turn off, in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment, a child secured in the child seat may be at an increased risk for serious injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the control modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during january 2013. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 beetle vehicles, manufactured from february 2012, through august 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. If the right front passenger seat gets wet, the occupant control module may not properly detect the presence of a child restraint installed in the seat.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (34 complaints, typically around 47,500 miles); electrical (19 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); other or unspecified (12 complaints, typically around 51,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 16, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Volkswagen Beetle?
- It is 8th of 19 Beetle model years by number of complaints, with 93 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.