2014 Volkswagen Beetle Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle has 50 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 54, and 5 recalls, earning a Caution verdict and ranking 7th worst of 14 model years. Airbags and electrical issues are the top reported problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 54/100
- #7 of 14 Beetle years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 50
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 24 city / 31.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2014 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags15 (30%)
- Electrical System15 (30%)
- Engine9 (18%)
- Structure & Body6 (12%)
- Brakes5 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (10%)
- Fuel System4 (8%)
- Other4 (8%)
- Steering3 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver side airbags deployed in low-speed crashes, in one case causing facial lacerations and a fractured sternum at a reported median mileage of 9,000 miles.
- One vehicle reportedly caught fire and burned completely after a low-speed rear-end collision near 22,000 miles.
- Owners describe the steering column clockspring breaking, which knocked out ABS, airbag, ESC, and tire pressure monitoring systems, sometimes failing twice within weeks.
- Some drivers report the clutch disengaging unexpectedly while pulling away from a stop, cutting the engine and locking the steering wheel.
- Brake pedal pressure reportedly dropped at a stoplight, causing the pedal to pop up and the car to roll despite being stopped.
- Owners report the engine losing power and flashing a service light while attempting to accelerate on a highway off-ramp.
2014 Volkswagen Beetle recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V785000Dec 16, 2020Airbags105,652 vehicles
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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 19V615000Aug 22, 2019Electrical System679,027 vehicles
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."
Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: 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 15V028000Jan 23, 2015Fuel System44,658 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
2014 Volkswagen Beetle fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Beetle years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 50 complaints and a complaint index of 54 for the 2014 Beetle, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 7th worst among the 14 Beetle model years with data, so it sits in the middle of the pack.
- What are the main problems with the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle?
- Airbags and the electrical system each account for 30% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 18%. NHTSA also lists 5 recalls covering airbags, electrical wiring, fuel rails, sunroof glass, and transmission oil cooler seals.
- Does the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle have an airbag recall?
- Yes. Recall 20V785000 covers 2012-2014 Beetle and Beetle Convertible models because the driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation.
- What year Volkswagen Beetle should I avoid instead of 2014?
- Among Beetle years with data, 2005, 2006, 2013, and 2015 all carry an Avoid verdict with higher complaint indexes (100, 92, 85, and 77 respectively) than the 2014 model's 54.
- How many recalls does the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2014 Beetle, covering airbags, electrical wiring switches, fuel rails, sunroof glass, and transmission oil cooler O-ring seals.