YearToAvoid

2014 Volkswagen Beetle Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 15 airbag complaints for the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle, 30% of the model year's 50 total complaints. One crash and one injury are linked to this area, and a related Takata airbag recall (campaign 20V785000) covers the driver frontal airbag inflator.

Airbags complaints
15
30% of 50 complaints
All complaints this year
50
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
9,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the driver side airbag deploying in a low-speed crash and causing injury, with median mileage at failure around 9,000 miles.
  • Multiple owners describe long delays getting the Takata driver airbag inflator recall (20V785000) repaired because replacement parts were unavailable at dealers for months.
  • One owner reports that after the recall airbag replacement, the steering wheel clock spring broke, disabling the horn, cruise control, and steering wheel entertainment controls.
  • Separate from airbags, some owners describe the steering column clock spring failing on nearly new vehicles, which knocked out ABS, airbag, ESC, and tire pressure monitoring systems together.
  • One owner reports the passenger seat airbag sensor failing at high mileage, meaning a passenger airbag would not deploy in a crash.

When 2014 Volkswagen Beetle airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 16, 2014, latest Dec 6, 2024.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle airbags complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2014Jan 2019Mar 2021Jun 2021Nov 2022Dec 2024
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2014 to Dec 2024; peak Jun 2014 (2).

Airbags recalls for the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle

  1. 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.

Airbags complaints by Beetle model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200531 (12%)
  2. 200610 (8%)
  3. 200715 (27%)
  4. 20087 (12%)
  5. 20095 (15%)
  6. 20100 (0%)
  7. 201212 (18%)
  8. 201334 (37%)
  9. 201415 (30%)
  10. 201542 (51%)
  11. 201635 (73%)
  12. 20176 (40%)
  13. 20187 (41%)
  14. 20190 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle have an airbag recall?
Yes. Campaign 20V785000, reported December 16, 2020, covers Beetle and Beetle Convertible models from 2012-2014 for a driver's side airbag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation. Volkswagen replaces the driver frontal airbag free of charge.
How common are airbag complaints for the 2014 Beetle?
NHTSA has logged 15 airbag complaints for the 2014 Beetle, which is 30% of the 50 total complaints filed for that model year.
Has the airbag problem caused any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data links this area to 1 crash and 1 injury, with median mileage at failure of about 9,000 miles.
Did the recall repair itself cause problems?
At least one owner reported that after the driver airbag was replaced under the recall, the steering wheel clock spring broke, disabling the horn, cruise control, and steering wheel entertainment controls.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.