What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The accelerator pedal snapped/broke while driving the vehicle. Yes, it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was not able to control the speed of the vehicle while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, not yet. I am trying to get it scheduled for VW service. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. The gas pedal (accelerator) snapped while I was driving my 2012 VW Beetle today. I was not able to control the speed of the vehicle.
The worst 2012 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Visibility21
- Airbags12
- Electrical12
- Steering7
- Engine6
- Body5
- Fuel system4
- Suspension3
- Acceleration2
- Transmission2
- Driver assistance1
- Lights1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
Recalls 6
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 20V785000 · Recall details
Unknown or other
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
- Risk
- If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
- 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. Note: This recall is an expansion of the federal safety agency recall number 18V‑329.
Recall number 19V679000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 19V615000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
- Risk
- The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298.
Recall number 14V656000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- 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 gets wet, the occupant control module may not properly detect the presence of a child restraint installed in the seat.
- Risk
- If the control module does not detect a child seat installed, the airbag will not turn off. If the airbag does not turn off, in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment, a child secured in the child seat may be at an increased risk for serious injury.
- 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.
Recall number 12V540000 · Recall details
Tires
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012 beetle vehicles. Some vehicles may be equipped with summer tires that fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards 110 "tire selection and rims" and 139 "new pneumatic tires for light vehicles."
- Risk
- Due to an error at the factory, the affected vehicles were produced with summer tires that are possibly not in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards 110 "tire selection & rims" and 139 "new pneumatic tires for light vehicles." in addition, customers may be unaware that their vehicle is equipped with summer performance tires. Summer tires have different grip and performance characteristics. These issues may lead to an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the noncompliant tires, free of charge. The safety recall began on september 12, 2012. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 12V331000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle 1,083
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement
- Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.
- Reprogramming Control Module process
- Engine missfire diagnostic aid
- Identifying and Mixing Volkswagen Engine Coolants
- Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
- Suggested fuel additive
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
- Differences between a leak and seepage
2012 Volkswagen Beetle fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-22 | 30 | 24-25 |
| 2.5L 5‑cyl | FWD | 22 | 29-31 | 25 |
What 2012 Volkswagen Beetle owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
After getting in my car and turning on the ignition, I put my foot on the brake. After pulling the gear shift out of park and as I am taking my foot off the brake pedal, sometimes the car would jump a little as if has a glitch in the shifting from park to the next gear.
Volkswagen water pumps keeps failing. I had the first water pump fail at 61902 miles replaced on 22 Mar 2017. I then had to have another Volkswagen water pump put in my car replaced by a Volkswagen dealership at 82,229 miles on 4 Jan 2019. I am now back at the Volkswagen dealer for yet another new water pump for my car at 108000. These Volkswagen water pumps should not be failing like they are and unfortunately I have found no 3rd party water pump to install in my make and model of car to try to avoid these numerous breakdowns. Not only are the numerous water pump failures expensive to replace, I am afraid the failure of these Volkswagen water pumps may lead to a catastrophic engine failure. Unfortunately, the failure of these Volkswagen water pumps are posted all over the internet.
Purchased this vehicle on 05/19/ 2022 no prior issues all service requirments completed from prior corporate owned company. Since my purchase both headlights have sporadically fallen out of their brackets while I'm driving leading to loss of visibilty during the daytime and nightime. First incident occuring on 05/20/2022 and the second incident occuring 07/05/2022. Major safety issue and concern. No safety warnings or lights came on once these incidents took place.this has lead to the headlights being damaged and dents placed on the exterior over my beetle when there was no prior damage.
Airbag replacement not available through Volkswagen after several months.
I received a recall notification dated Dec. 16, 2020 for my 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The notification was for a replacement of the driver's side airbag which could explode due to high temperature or humidity. These condition exist on the Big Island of Hawaii where the car is located, but there are no VW dealerships on the Island of Hawaii. There are VW agencies on the islands of Oahu and Maui. I have been in contact with VW Customer Service. I receive regular call backs from a representative named Patrick. He has informed me that VW is still working to solve the problem. He once mentioned that perhaps the parts could be shipped to a another make of car dealership, but no action has been taken. I believe that my wait for a resolution to this recall has exceeded a reasonable amount of time. I am in fear of injury while driving my car.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20V785000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received a notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified about the recall however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 volkswagen beetle. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v785000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
The plastic part on the top around the moon roof has completely cracked on all 4 corners, not just hairline cracks, but completely cracked apart edge to edge, enough to fit a credit card in. This car has always been garage kept, rarely driven except on nice days, I don't even drive it on rainy days & rarely at all in the winter. (now I would be afraid to drive in the rain because it might start leaking) I noticed it had a hairline crack last yr on 2 corners but previously when washing it I realized all 4 sides are now completely cracked apart. I bought it 6 yrs ago & it had 21,000 miles on it & I have only put 19,000 miles on it in 6 years. It is in immaculate condition except now it has 4 big cracks on all 4 corners of moon roof.
Compare the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
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Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
Owners have filed 65 complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, close to a typical Beetle model year.
What is the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle year score?
The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle scores 70 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Beetle: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle?
Windows, wipers and visibility, with 21 complaints, typically around 4,500 miles. Next is airbags (12).
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle have?
6 recalls, covering air bags, unknown or other and electrical system.
What year does the Volkswagen Beetle have the most visibility problems?
The Volkswagen Beetle model years with the most visibility complaints are 2004 (65 complaints), 2005 (62 complaints) and 2003 (56 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle get?
Official estimates for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle range from 24 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-22 city and 30 highway.
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