2016 Volkswagen Beetle Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle ranks 9th worst out of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 38 and a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 48 complaints, 3 recalls, 2 crashes, and no fires or injuries, with airbags making up 73% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 38/100
- #9 of 14 Beetle years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 48
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags35 (73%)
- Electrical System6 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (13%)
- Other5 (10%)
- Engine3 (6%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
- Steering2 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbag warning lights and ABS/stability lights illuminate together and limit speed to around 20 mph.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a multi-vehicle collision.
- Front tires have exploded or developed sidewall and tread cracking without prior damage.
- Electrical harness issues near the ABS system caused wiring to rub through and trigger multiple faults.
- A stuck ignition key prevented the vehicle from being turned off after parking.
- A front suspension spring broke, dropping the bearing into the strut and producing a loud clang while backing up.
2016 Volkswagen Beetle recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V945000Dec 21, 2022Airbags37,558 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Beetle and Beetle Convertibles 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: Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69EM.
- 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 15V705000Oct 26, 2015Engine91,867 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk: If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
2016 Volkswagen Beetle fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,400
- 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.
2016 compared with other Beetle years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Beetle has a complaint index of 38 and ranks 9th worst of 14 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Beetle years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 73% of the 48 complaints NHTSA received, followed by electrical system and suspension issues at 13% each.
- Does the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 Beetle covering the driver's airbag inflator, an electrical circuit board, and an engine control module software update. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Beetle compare to other Beetle years?
- The 2016 model's complaint index of 38 is well below higher-complaint years like 2005 (100) and 2006 (92), which are rated Avoid, placing 2016 among the better years for the Beetle.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle?
- The EPA rates the 2016 Beetle at 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400.