How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle have?

The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle has 4 recalls on record from Transport Canada and NHTSA.

What is the most recent recall for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle?

The most recent recall was issued on December 21, 2022 and relates to the air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module system.

Are there any high-risk recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle?

Yes, there are 2 high-risk recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle involving serious safety concerns.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle affected by any Canadian recalls?

Yes, there are 1 Transport Canada recall(s) for this vehicle.

2016 Volkswagen Beetle: Recalls & Crash Test Ratings

2016 Volkswagen Beetle

This page covers 4 recalls, 46 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle.

Fuel Economy (EPA Estimates)

26–28 mpg combined

8.4–9 L/100km

Compact Cars

City23–25 mpg(9.4–10.2 L/100km)

Highway31–33 mpg(7.1–7.6 L/100km)

Combined26–28 mpg(8.4–9 L/100km)

Est. Annual Fuel Cost$2,200–$2,400/yr

Tailpipe CO₂318–343 g/mi

EPA GHG Score6–7/10

Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.

2016 Volkswagen Beetle Crash Test Ratings

5/5 Overall

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

2016 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Complaints

The dominant pattern in 2016 Volkswagen Beetle complaints centers heavily on the airbag system, which accounts for the large majority of reports filed for this model year. Owners consistently describe being notified of a problem with the driver-side airbag inflator, specifically that the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward occupants. A recurring frustration across these reports is the repair backlog: many owners say they contacted dealers only to be told replacement parts were unavailable, sometimes after waiting months or years. Several owners describe receiving repeated urgent communications urging them to get the vehicle repaired immediately, yet being unable to complete the fix due to parts shortages. Complaints about wheels and steering each appear in only a handful of reports and don't show a clear pattern. The airbag parts availability issue is the consistent thread running through this complaint set.

Total Complaints

Crash-Related

By System

air bags
30
unknown or other
5
wheels
2
steering
2
electrical system

2016 Volkswagen Beetle Recalls

The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle has 4 recalls, the most serious being a driver's airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.

The engine carries two additional concerns worth attention. A camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump can shear off, stripping away the power assist that makes the brake pedal feel light and effective. Without that assist, stopping distances increase noticeably, particularly at highway speeds. Separately, the fuel rail can detach from the cylinder head while the engine is running, allowing raw fuel to spray into the engine compartment where hot surfaces or electrical sparks can ignite it. On the electrical side, vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake, and keyless entry have a vulnerability where the key can be removed while the transmission is not in Park. With no key present to trigger the steering lock and no automatic shift interlock engaged, the vehicle can roll away if the gear selector was left out of Park.

All 4 Recalls

Show:

NHTSA (USA)Critical

December 21, 2022

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

At a glance

What can fail

The driver's side air bag inflator may explode. Propellant inside degrades when exposed to high humidity, high heat, and repeated temperature changes over time.

What the fix does