Worst 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
AIR BAGS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 12 | 2 | — | 18,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11 | — | — | 16,718 mi | |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 10 | — | — | 17,820 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 9 | — | — | 1,199 mi | |
| ENGINE | 6 | — | — | 50,008 mi | |
| STEERING | 6 | 1 | — | 47,917 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 | 1 | — | 59,968 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 5 | — | — | 34,299 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 | — | — | 77,161 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 3 | — | — | 58,000 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 3 | — | — | 13,083 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 | — | — | 24,362 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | — | — | 44,322 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 | — | — | 3,748 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 | — | — | 1,166 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT | 1 | — | — | 3,748 mi | |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT | 1 | — | — | 3,748 mi | |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK | 1 | — | — | 26,399 mi | |
| VISIBILITY | 1 | — | — | 13,695 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 | — | — | — | |
| VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,908,439 vehicles.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BEETLE VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES."
Other Volkswagen Beetle Years
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Beetle reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
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