Small car

2018 Volkswagen Beetle: problems, recalls and fuel economy

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Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2018 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.

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Owner complaints

filed with NHTSA

Recalls

on record

Fuel economy

29 mpg

best version, EPA combined

Fuel, 5 years

$7,034

12,000 mi a year, $3.40/gal

What owners complain about most

Airbags & seat belts7

Electrical system6

Body, glass & interior2

Engine & cooling1

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Drive	Combined
Automatic (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	29 mpg
Automatic (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	29 mpg
Automatic (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	29 mpg
Automatic (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	29 mpg

Recalls

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator ModuleOct 30, 2024 · campaign 24V834000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal 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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › CaliperJun 1, 2018 · campaign 18V369000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

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.

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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 2018 Volkswagen Beetle have?

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA: airbags & seat belts (7), electrical system (6), body, glass & interior (2). We don't rate it yet, so this count isn't a reliability score: popular cars get more complaints.

How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle have?

3 recalls on record with NHTSA.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle get?

Up to 29 mpg combined (EPA), depending on the engine.