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2015 Volkswagen Beetle Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle, most often about the air bags (51% of complaints). It is 9th of 19 Beetle model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2015 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Air bags
42 complaints · 51%The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving 35 MPH, a freight truck crashed into the rear passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact felt pain in the right arm and neck, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a…
Electrical
16 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. While the contact's daughter was driving 35 MPH, multiple warning indicators illuminated and the brakes failed. The driver was able to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but they were unable to duplicate the failure.…
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the window regulator for the driver's side window was inoperable. The contact was unable roll the window up or down. The contact also stated that the door failed to unlock on several occasions. The contact stated that the passenger's side window…
Other or unspecified
13 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 0 miles.
While driving 60 MPH on route 84-mass pike(which is a freshly paved road) I noticed something go wrong with the back tires causing the vehicle to spin out of control. Luckily, after doing a full 360 I was able to gain control of the car and pulled over. I had to the car towed to a service center in which they told me…
Brakes
7 complaints · 8%Esp light will come on and critical error will flash when first starting vehicle. Vehicle will sutter and will not start. When vehicle is taken to have the error message read no record is found in the car's computer. This has happened several times. Most recently an error message flashed on the screen and the whole…
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. While the contact's daughter was driving 35 MPH, multiple warning indicators illuminated and the brakes failed. The driver was able to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but they were unable to duplicate the failure.…
Engine
7 complaints · 8%Volkswagen has defects vie camshaft so which they know of and have a recall for but they are not fixing the problem. Their only concern is to move the failure out of warranty so their customers get stuck with the bill. It is afailure which is directly related to safety of the drivers. Camshaft fails and cause loss of…
Transmission
6 complaints · 7%Key got stuck in the ignition and would not turn for it to power off. No release in the car to get the key out therefore the car would not shut off even with the battery disconnected.
Key is stuck in the ignition and the car will not power off, not even after taking out the battery. Vw told me they had no idea how to help me and had never seen this happen before. When I look it up online, this is a common problem with beetles and jettas.
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the sun roof exploded. The contact was uninjured and continued driving to his destination. The vehicle was taken to team Volkswagen (3990 w lincoln hwy, merrilville, in 45410) where it was determined that the VIN was not included in NHTSA…
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the window regulator for the driver's side window was inoperable. The contact was unable roll the window up or down. The contact also stated that the door failed to unlock on several occasions. The contact stated that the passenger's side window…
Steering
3 complaints · 4%While driving 60 MPH on route 84-mass pike(which is a freshly paved road) I noticed something go wrong with the back tires causing the vehicle to spin out of control. Luckily, after doing a full 360 I was able to gain control of the car and pulled over. I had to the car towed to a service center in which they told me…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 Volkswagen Beetle recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full 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.
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."
Engine
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.
Fix: 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.
Full 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.
Fuel system: fuel rail
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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 (volkswagen recall number 24bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
Full defect summary
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 2014-2015 beetle and beetle convertible vehicles manufactured march 31, 2014, to november 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
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.
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 2015 Volkswagen Beetle
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (42 complaints); electrical (16 complaints, typically around 36,500 miles); other or unspecified (13 complaints, typically around 0 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 21, 2022 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the Volkswagen Beetle?
- It is 9th of 19 Beetle model years by number of complaints, with 83 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.