MYRModel Year Report

2013 Volkswagen Beetle

● Typical for this model
2013 Volkswagen Beetle
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:57.983Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
93
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2013

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1998: 171 complaints 1998 1999: 174 complaints 2000: 263 complaints 2001: 203 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2006: 124 complaints 2007: 56 complaints 2007 2008: 60 complaints 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 30 complaints 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 93 complaints 2013 93 2014: 50 complaints 2015: 83 complaints 2016: 47 complaints 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 14 complaints
1998: 171 complaints 1998 1999: 174 complaints 2000: 263 complaints 2000 2001: 203 complaints 2002: 165 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2006: 124 complaints 2006 2007: 56 complaints 2008: 60 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 93 complaints 2013 93 2014: 50 complaints 2015: 83 complaints 2015 2016: 47 complaints 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 14 complaints 2019
1998: 171 complaints 1998 1999: 174 complaints 1999 2000: 263 complaints 2000 2001: 203 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2003 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2005 2006: 124 complaints 2006 2007: 56 complaints 2007 2008: 60 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 93 complaints 2013 93 2014: 50 complaints 2014 2015: 83 complaints 2015 2016: 47 complaints 2016 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2018 2019: 14 complaints 2019

2013: 93 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1998171
1999174
2000263
2001203
2002165
2003314
2004349
2005261
2006124
200756
200860
200933
201030
201265
201393
201450
201583
201647
201715
201817
201914

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

37% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was rear ended at a stop light. My car ended up rear ending the car in front of me from the accident, but my airbags did not go off. My car's warning light says my airbag has been deployed even though it did not.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-08

The airbags deployed on their own on 7-4-2023 in my daughter’s 2013 VW Beetle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-05-06

Also filed under Structure and suspension

Component Affected: AIRBAGS: FORE AND AFT INTERIOR OVERHEAD/OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM Description of Safety Defect: I own a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L (Build Date: April 2013).

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-24

Electrical system

20% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing wiring.

Engine

11% · 10 reports

Steering

6% · 6 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

After exiting the freeway and completing a curve to the right I was on a straight section of the off ramp going approx. 35 MPH. I applied the brakes and a moderate vibration was felt in the front end/brakes.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-08

Also filed under Service brakes and suspension

Fuel/propulsion system

6% · 6 reports

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2013-01-09Air bags12V540000 Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. If the right front passenger seat…

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the control modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2014-12-16Visibility14V658000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Beetle vehicles manufactured June 13, 2013, to July 3, 2014.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60B9.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2015-04-07Suspension14V656000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2019-11-06Unknown or other19V679000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2019-11-19Electrical system, steering19V615000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2020-10-30Service brakes, hydraulic20E064000 Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles.

    Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2021-03-19Air bags20V785000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2013 Volkswagen Beetle — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 34 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V540000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V658000 · Visibility
  • Recall 14V656000 · Suspension
  • Recall 19V679000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 19V615000 · Electrical system, steering
  • Recall 20E064000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 20V785000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.