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2016 Volkswagen Beetle Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle, most often about the air bags (73% of complaints). It is 14th of 19 Beetle model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2016 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Air bags
35 complaints · 73%Started the car and had worming lights on. It did it before a couple days ago but went out. This time the lights won't go off and won't go over 20 MPH. The ABS light,stability light and air bag lights and tire pressure light are on. I had it towed to the dealership. I was just reading of someone with the same problem…
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of the NHTSA campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags) however, parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded…
Electrical
6 complaints · 13%Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
The right front tire exploded while driving straight ahead at 40 MPH. Hankook tires. Nothing was struck and the tires had no previous damage. Smooth city street.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of the NHTSA campaign number: 22v945000 (air bags) however, parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 10%The right front tire exploded while driving straight ahead at 40 MPH. Hankook tires. Nothing was struck and the tires had no previous damage. Smooth city street.
Suspension
3 complaints · 6%The right front tire exploded while driving straight ahead at 40 MPH. Hankook tires. Nothing was struck and the tires had no previous damage. Smooth city street.
I heard a loud metal clang in the front of my car when I was backing up in my driveway. I took the car to the dealer and the tech performed inspection and found driver front spring broken and bearing dropped to middle of strut. Front springs, upper mounts, and bearings replaced.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 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.
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 2016 Volkswagen Beetle
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (35 complaints); electrical (6 complaints); wheels and tires (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle have?
- 3 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 2016 a bad year for the Volkswagen Beetle?
- It is 14th of 19 Beetle model years by number of complaints, with 48 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.