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Volkswagen Beetle: official NHTSA recalls, fault code help and maintenance guides.

Volkswagen BeetleLicensed photo · Photo credit
MakeVolkswagen
ClassSubcompact car, Compact car
Model years (US)2000–2010, 2012–2019
New registrations (EU)2000–2023, 2025
Recall dataNHTSA (United States)
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Generations and technical specifications

Volkswagen Type 1 "Beetle"2003
Volkswagen Type 1 "Beetle"
SpecificationValue
Production1938–2003
21,529,464 produced
Body styles2-door saloon
2-door convertible
LayoutRear-engine, rear-wheel-drive
EnginesPetrol
1131 cc H4
1192 cc H4
1285 cc H4
1493 cc H4
1584 cc H4
Transmissions4-speed manual transaxle
4-speed Saxomat semi-automatic
3-speed Autostick semi-automatic
Wheelbase2,400–2,420 mm
Length4,079–4,140 mm
Width1,539–1,585 mm
Height1,500 mm
Kerb weight730–930 kg
ClassSmall family car
AssemblyFull list
DesignerFerdinand Porsche

Engines and transmissions

Model yearsEngineTransmissionDriveFuel
2003–2005, 2018–20192.0 L, 4 cyl6-speed automaticFront-wheel drivePetrol (regular)
2014–20171.8 L, 4 cyl6-speed automaticFront-wheel drivePetrol (regular)
2016–20172.0 L, 4 cyl6-speed automated manualFront-wheel drivePetrol (regular)
2014–20161.8 L, 4 cyl5-speed manualFront-wheel drivePetrol (regular)
20162.0 L, 4 cyl6-speed manualFront-wheel drivePetrol (regular)
2013–20152.0 L, 4 cyl6-speed automated manualFront-wheel driveDiesel
2013–20152.0 L, 4 cyl6-speed automated manualFront-wheel drivePetrol (premium)
2013–20152.0 L, 4 cyl6-speed manualFront-wheel driveDiesel
2012–20152.0 L, 4 cyl6-speed manualFront-wheel drivePetrol (premium)
2006–2010, 2012–20142.5 L, 5 cyl5-speed manualFront-wheel drivePetrol (regular)
2006–2010, 2012–20142.5 L, 5 cyl6-speed automaticFront-wheel drivePetrol (regular)
20122.0 L, 4 cyl6-speed automaticFront-wheel drivePetrol (premium)
+9 more configurations

Fuel economy (EPA)

Model yearsConfigurationCombinedCityHighway
2003–2005, 2012, 2018–20192.0 L, 4 cyl · 6-speed automatic · Front-wheel drive8.1–10.7 L/100 km9.0–12.4 L/100 km6.9–9.0 L/100 km
2003–2005, 2014–20171.8 L, 4 cyl · 6-speed automatic · Front-wheel drive8.4–10.7 L/100 km9.4–12.4 L/100 km7.1–9.0 L/100 km
2013–20172.0 L, 4 cyl · 6-speed automated manual · Front-wheel drive6.9–9.8 L/100 km7.8–11.2 L/100 km5.9–8.4 L/100 km
2000–2005, 2014–20161.8 L, 4 cyl · 5-speed manual · Front-wheel drive8.4–9.8 L/100 km9.4–11.2 L/100 km7.1–8.4 L/100 km
2012–20162.0 L, 4 cyl · 6-speed manual · Front-wheel drive6.9–9.8 L/100 km7.8–11.2 L/100 km6.0–7.8 L/100 km
2006–2010, 2012–20142.5 L, 5 cyl · 5-speed manual · Front-wheel drive9.4–10.7 L/100 km10.7–12.4 L/100 km7.6–8.4 L/100 km
2006–2010, 2012–20142.5 L, 5 cyl · 6-speed automatic · Front-wheel drive9.4–10.7 L/100 km10.7–12.4 L/100 km8.1–8.7 L/100 km
2000–20061.9 L, 4 cyl · 5-speed manual · Front-wheel drive6.2–6.9 L/100 km6.7–7.6 L/100 km5.3–5.9 L/100 km
2004–20061.9 L, 4 cyl · 6-speed automatic · Front-wheel drive7.1 L/100 km7.8 L/100 km6.2 L/100 km
2000–20052.0 L, 4 cyl · 5-speed manual · Front-wheel drive9.8–10.2 L/100 km11.2 L/100 km8.1–8.4 L/100 km
2000–20041.8 L, 4 cyl · 4-speed automatic · Front-wheel drive10.2–10.7 L/100 km11.8–12.4 L/100 km8.7–9.4 L/100 km
2002–20041.8 L, 4 cyl · 6-speed manual · Front-wheel drive10.2 L/100 km11.8 L/100 km8.4 L/100 km
+2 more configurations

Values are the official EPA label figures for each model year, shown as the lowest and highest value for the configuration. Electric models show energy use per 100 km. Real-world consumption depends on driving style, weather and load. Luggage and passenger volumes follow the EPA measuring method and can differ from the VDA figures used in Europe.

EU type-approval data

YearsPowertrainEnginePowerMassCO₂
2012–2018Petrol1197 cm³77 kW (105 PS)1274–1409 kg125–170 g/km (WLTP)
2015–2018Petrol1395 cm³110 kW (150 PS)1347–1452 kg126–136 g/km (NEDC)
2015–2018Petrol1984 cm³162 kW (220 PS)1420–1528 kg152–160 g/km (NEDC)
2015–2018Diesel1968 cm³81 kW (110 PS)1380–1504 kg109–119 g/km (NEDC)
2015–2018Diesel1968 cm³110 kW (150 PS)1421–1529 kg118–130 g/km (NEDC)
2012–2015Petrol1390 cm³118 kW (160 PS)1359–1468 kg143–158 g/km (NEDC)
2013–2015Petrol1984 cm³155 kW (211 PS)1391–1505 kg169–180 g/km (NEDC)
2012–2015Diesel1598 cm³77 kW (105 PS)1361–1462 kg119–124 g/km (NEDC)
2012–2015Diesel1968 cm³103 kW (140 PS)1391–1505 kg129–145 g/km (NEDC)
2011–2014Petrol1984 cm³147 kW (200 PS)1439 kg179 g/km (NEDC)
2010–2011Petrol1595 cm³–1277–1375 kg180–185 g/km (NEDC)
2010–2011Diesel1896 cm³–1366–1426 kg143–145 g/km (NEDC)

Years are registration years. Each range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile of the values reported for new registrations; it is not an average. Mass is the mass in running order. For electric cars the power is the type-approval net power, which can be lower than the peak power in brochures.

Key specifications

Key specifications
SpecificationValue
EPA size classSubcompact car, Compact car, Minicompact car
Model years in EPA data2000–2010, 2012–2019
PowertrainsPetrol, Diesel
Engine displacement1.8–2.5 L
Cylinders4, 5
Transmission typesAutomatic, Automated manual, Manual
DriveFront-wheel drive
FuelPetrol (regular), Petrol (premium), Diesel
Configurations listed132
Forced inductionTurbocharged (on some versions)
Luggage volume (EPA)142–425 L
Passenger volume (EPA)2,209–2,407 L
Powertrains (EU)Petrol, Diesel
Engine displacement (EU)1,197–1,984 cm³
Power (EU)77–162 kW (105–220 PS)
Mass in running order (EU)1,274–1,529 kg
Wheelbase (EU)2,524–2,540 mm

Years and markets

Years and markets
SpecificationValue
Model years (US)2000–2010, 2012–2019
New registrations (EU)2000–2023, 2025

Owner complaints (NHTSA)

ComponentComplaintsMost reported model years
Airbags1862013, 2015, 2016
Electrical system892013, 2014, 2015
Visibility and wipers462009, 2012, 2013
Engine and cooling392012, 2013, 2015
Steering282012, 2013, 2015
Body and structure262012, 2013, 2014
Fuel and propulsion252012, 2013, 2014
Brakes252010, 2014, 2015
Transmission and drivetrain242010, 2013, 2015
Lights182009, 2013, 2014

Source: complaints filed by owners with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2009–2010, 2012–2019: 487 complaints, 17 with a crash and 2 with a fire. Complaints are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one component. More complaints can also mean more cars sold.

Recalls

Volkswagen Beetle recall: Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panelElectrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel · 2019-02-13Volkswagen Beetle recall: Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator ModuleAir Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module · 2022-12-21Volkswagen Beetle recall: Visibility:sun/moon Roof AssemblyVisibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly · 2014-10-20Volkswagen Beetle recall: Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactiveAir Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive · 2012-11-15Volkswagen Beetle recall: TiresTires · 2012-07-16Volkswagen Beetle recall: Air Bags:frontalAir Bags:frontal · 2020-12-16

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