YearToAvoid

2017 Volkswagen Beetle Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2017 Volkswagen Beetle ranks best among 14 model years of data, with a complaint index of 0 and only 15 complaints logged. Its top problem area is airbags, tied to an active recall (24V834000) with parts delays, but no crashes, fires, or injuries were reported.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
0/100
#14 of 14 Beetle years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
15
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
24 city / 31 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2017 Volkswagen Beetle problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags6 (40%)
  2. Other5 (33%)
  3. Electrical System2 (13%)
  4. Engine1 (7%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (7%)
  6. Lane Departure1 (7%)
  7. Steering1 (7%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (7%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)

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 light illuminates or blinks intermittently, sometimes even with a passenger in the front seat.
  • Owners under recall 24V834000 report the driver-side airbag module still lacks a repair part, leaving the warning light active.
  • A burning odor and unusual motor-like noise from the rear of the vehicle occurred after a short drive, persisting for about thirty minutes.
  • The ignition key became stuck and would not release until the steering wheel was turned repeatedly.
  • A front suspension strut spring broke and partially slid off the strut, producing a clanking noise from the wheel housing.
  • The trunk failed to open with no warning light illuminated, at 90,000 miles.
2017 Volkswagen Beetle complaints: complaints filed per month1Sep 2018Apr 2019Feb 2020Sep 2024Jan 2025Jun 2025Sep 2025May 2026
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2018 to May 2026; peak Sep 2018 (1).

2017 Volkswagen Beetle recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V834000Oct 30, 2024Airbags248,330 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal 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 front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 17V136000Mar 2, 2017Other797 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk: Overloading the vehicle may affect vehicle handling or result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B9.

2017 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.

2017 compared with other Beetle years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Avoid7783527
2016Good3848327
2017Best015327
2018Caution15173 !29
2019Best814329

All Volkswagen Beetle years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
NHTSA data ranks it Best among the 14 Beetle model years covered, with a complaint index of 0 and just 15 complaints on record, no crashes, fires, or injuries.
Does the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle have any recalls?
Yes, three recalls: a driver's side airbag inflator issue (24V834000), an electrical system recall for an additional switch and circuit board (19V615000), and a corrected tire information label recall (17V136000).
What is the top complaint for the 2017 Beetle?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 40% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 43,800 miles, largely tied to the ongoing driver airbag module recall.
How does the 2017 Beetle compare to other Beetle years?
It ranks 14th worst (meaning best) out of the years listed, well below higher-complaint years like 2005 (complaint index 100, Avoid) and 2013 (complaint index 85, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle?
EPA rates it at 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400.

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.