2019 Volkswagen Beetle Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
8/100
#13 most-complained of 14 Beetle years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2019 Volkswagen Beetle has 14 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 8 out of 100 — #13 highest of 14 Beetle model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is electrical system (5 complaints, 36% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash.
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 33 hwy
Top 2019 Volkswagen Beetle problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System5 (36%)
- Brakes2 (14%)
- Engine2 (14%)
- Other2 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (7%)
2019 Volkswagen Beetle recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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 19V094000Feb 13, 2019Brakes4,064 vehicles
Service brakes
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The instrument cluster may not provide a visual warning when a brake system failure is detected. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems" and number 101, "Controls and displays."
Risk: If the driver is not alerted when there is a problem with brakes, the driver may lose control of the vehicle while attempting to brake, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90L8.
2019 Volkswagen Beetle fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 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.
2019 compared with other Beetle years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle ranks #13 of 14 among Beetle model years (Complaint Index 8/100, verdict: Best). It has 14 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), brakes (2 complaints), and engine (2 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 450 miles.
- Does the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle, most recently reported 2024, covering airbags, electrical system, and brakes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle?
- EPA rates the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.