Volkswagen · Beetle · 2013
2013 Volkswagen Beetle
7
Recalls
98
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle has 7 recalls and 98 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: air bags (32 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 32 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle currently shows 7 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 98 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are air bags (32), electrical system (9), unknown or other (9).
- Vehicle
- 2013 Volkswagen Beetle
- Recalls
- 7
- Complaints
- 98
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 20V785000December 16, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BC.
NHTSA ID: 20E064000September 23, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Remedy Status
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
NHTSA ID: 19V679000September 25, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
NHTSA ID: 19V615000August 22, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
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."
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
NHTSA ID: 14V656000October 20, 2014
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
NHTSA ID: 14V658000October 20, 2014
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Beetle vehicles manufactured June 13, 2013, to July 3, 2014. The glass sunroofs in the affected vehicles may break when the vehicles are operated over a hard road surface or strike a pothole.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60B9.
NHTSA ID: 12V540000November 15, 2012
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
Remedy Status
Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the control modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Owner Complaints
98 totalAIR BAGS
Aug 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that the air bag needed for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called two other dealer...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 10, 2025
Key is getting stuck in the vechile. Wont let me shut the vechile off and took it to the vechile and the said it was the steering lock mechanism
AIR BAGS
May 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had e...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
May 1, 2025
I live on Hawaiʻi Island and my 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible (VIN [XXX] ) has an open federal airbag safety recall. Volkswagen informed me there is no authorized VW dealer or recall facility on Hawaiʻi Island, and that I must ship my vehicle to Oʻahu at my own expense to co...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
Apr 3, 2025
I’m filing this complaint regarding the Takata airbag recall on my 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. I took my vehicle to the dealership, but they informed me that the replacement part is on national backorder with no clear timeframe for availability. I called Volkswagen Customer CARE on ...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 1, 2024
My car will randomly die after sitting at a light or pulling onto the highway or just pulling out of my garage. The car starts up and sounds fine, when I put it in reverse to pull out of the garage, it will die while moving backwards. Sitting at a red light, the car if running ...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a stop sign and removing the foot from the brake pedal, the contact became aware that the hill holder hill assist feature, designed to make hill starts easier by preventing the...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 25, 2024
Driving 60miles an hour the entire car shot down. No lights, no control, the car was completely off it was a very scary situation The car still not turning on
SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
CRASH2 injuriesJul 4, 2023
The airbags deployed on their own on 7-4-2023 in my daughter’s 2013 VW Beetle. My daughter and her friend were both injured (physically/mentally) as a result of both front airbags (steering wheel and dashboard airbags) deploying on their own causing over $10,000 USD damage to th...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Apr 3, 2023
Noticed an fuel smell coming from the engine bay. After a few times of looking for the source I came across the fuel rail covered in gunk. Wiped off rail and cycled the engine. Noticed the fuel rail is leaking from what looks like the fuel rail mounting bolt.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 98 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2013 Volkswagen models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Volkswagen Beetle Years
2014 Volkswagen BeetleCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.6r54c2012 Volkswagen BeetleCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.7r65c2015 Volkswagen BeetleCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.6r99c2016 Volkswagen BeetleCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.4r57c2010 Volkswagen BeetleCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.3r30c2017 Volkswagen BeetleCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.4r14c
More 2013 Volkswagen Models
2013 Volkswagen PassatAnother 2013 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.9r746c2013 Volkswagen JettaAnother 2013 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.6r514c2013 Volkswagen CCAnother 2013 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.5r148c2013 Volkswagen TiguanAnother 2013 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.3r138c2013 Volkswagen GolfAnother 2013 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.5r43c2013 Volkswagen GTIAnother 2013 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.2r34c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle have?
The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle has 7 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle?
NHTSA has received 98 owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle?
The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle are air bags (32 reports), electrical system (9 reports), unknown or other (9 reports).
Does the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 7 recalls on record for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.