Small car

2016 Volkswagen Beetle: problems, recalls and fuel economy

Not rated yet

Owners have filed 75 complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle with NHTSA, and it has 3 recalls. We don't rate it yet: a rating needs sales figures to turn complaints into rates.

Compare it with another car Find one for sale

Owner complaints

filed with NHTSA

Recalls

on record

Fuel economy

28 mpg

best version, EPA combined

Fuel, 5 years

$7,286

12,000 mi a year, $3.40/gal

What owners complain about most

Airbags & seat belts46

Electrical system6

Wheels & tires5

Suspension3

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Drive	Combined
Automatic (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L	Front-Wheel Drive	28 mpg
Automatic (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L	Front-Wheel Drive	28 mpg
Manual 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L	Front-Wheel Drive	28 mpg
Automatic (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L	Front-Wheel Drive	27 mpg
Automatic (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L	Front-Wheel Drive	27 mpg
Manual 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	26 mpg
Manual 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	26 mpg
Automatic (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	26 mpg
Automatic (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	26 mpg

Recalls

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator ModuleDec 21, 2022 · campaign 22V945000
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 System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control ModuleAug 22, 2019 · campaign 19V615000
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
Engine And Engine Cooling › EngineOct 26, 2015 · campaign 15V705000
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.

Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Before you buy

Get a vehicle history report →Check for accidents, title problems and odometer rollbacks before you buy.Compare insurance quotes →Insurance is a big part of the cost to own, and it varies a lot by car.Check used-car loan rates →Get pre-approved before visiting a dealer so you can compare their offer.

These links go to independent sites. We don't earn anything from them.

Other years of the Volkswagen Beetle

Year	Reliability
2019	Not rated yet
2018	Not rated yet
2017	Not rated yet
2016	Not rated yet
2015	Not rated yet

Questions people ask

What problems does the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle have?

Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA: airbags & seat belts (46), electrical system (6), wheels & tires (5). We don't rate it yet, so this count isn't a reliability score: popular cars get more complaints.

How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle have?

3 recalls on record with NHTSA.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle get?

Up to 28 mpg combined (EPA), depending on the engine.