Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen beetle. While driving various speeds, the vehicle experienced total electrical failure. The contact had to restart the vehicle to resume normal operation. There were no warning indicators illuminated; however, the contact heard a beeping sound prior to the failure. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle electrical problems
12 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 809.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 809
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Instrument cluster/panel1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Volkswagen Beetle electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
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
What 2012 Volkswagen Beetle owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Key gets constantly gets stuck in the ignition when turning the car off. The car is in park and the key stuck.
Key gets stuck in ignition when turning off the engine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen beetle. While coming to a complete stop and placing the vehicle into park, the ignition and steering wheel locked up. The contact also stated that it was difficult to start the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the ignition and steering tumbler lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
Driver side window would drop about 1.5 cm when exit the vehicle but would not go back up. Was allowing water and outside debris to enter the vehicle. When I notified the dealer and my salesperson they said they will take care of it and call vw on my behalf. It has been more than a month and I have heard nothing. Some reviews online said they were able to have vw take it back/ buy it back. Frankly this would be the best solution as in va the rain and cold winds is just unbearable in the winter with the window unable to operate as it was designed to.
I have three concerns about my new car. First and foremost is the window issue. I had the vx beetle for about two weeks when the automatic windows on both driver's and passenger's sides either do not go up or down all the way as they are supposed to. They stop intermittently and take several tries to either close or open. Safety issue. Dealer says vx knows and is working on fix. Vx says the same but I have had the car three months now and no fix (and no fix in sight it seems). Also, fuel gauge would not register as full. A part for this issue has been ordered and is in. It will be installed in a few days and hopefully addresses this problem although other consumers have posted that this doesn't always work. Lastly, my air conditioner blows warm air unless you turn the dial completely to max. Any adjustment backward feels like the heater is on. When I turn off the AC and put on the fan with vents open wanting to get fresh air (55 degrees out), air warmer than outside is blowing in. It's difficult to adjust the interior temperature when you have either ice cold or heat and are hesitant to mess with the windows!!!
The driver and passenger windows do not go up or down on command when the button has been pressed. Once the window does go down (usually on its own) it is very difficult to get the windows back up. I feel this is a safety issue as it allows the elements (ie moisture) to enter the vehicle while it is parked and could contribute to further malfunctions of the electrical components that control other aspects of the car (electronic transmission, push button start, traction control, etc). Vw has been unresponsive to owners complaints to this issue (check youtube, twitter, and forums). Thank you.
My driver's window won't go all the way up after parking. It is supposed to lower just a hair when opened and close again once the door is shut. This lets rain in. Also when rolling up the driver's window you must inch it up in increments instead of all at once. It goes up about half way then sends itself back down.
Recurring issues with door power windows. Takes approximately 6-7 attempts to secure or roll them up after opening; unsure if they will completely fail and eventually not roll up at all. Safety issue concerns: unable to roll up windows against adverse weather conditions and freeway debris, (rain and debris can damage electrical circuitry located next to door and debris can injure driver; rain/wind/debris can impair drivers visibility if window cannot be rolled up properly); in addition, in an emergency situation that would require sheltering in place in this vehicle; such as an assault, robbery etc. The inability for the consumer to roll up their windows presents a real life-safety threat. After having researched on-line and spoken to the dealership which I purchased my vehicle from, this serious problem has been known for approximately a year, and I was told (4 months ago) that I would be placed on a back-stock order list for the revised electrical modem that would resolved this problem. I have called for follow-up information and an eta on the part. They were unable to provided me with new information or an eta. This is clearly a problem that 1) they (manufacture and dealership) cannot fix 2) have not found a fix for (manufacturer) and have been lying to the consumer about (manufacturer/dealership) 3) have not elevated to the proper priority level to find a fix for (manufacturer).
Driver and passenger windows require multiple attempts to close completely. Several problems exist---first is that as the windows are raised, they travel upwards, stop, then retract several inches. On subsequent attempts to raise the window, they continue to bind within the door mechanism, requiring additional attempts to get the window to close. Additionally, there is an issue with opening/closing driver and passenger side doors. The window is designed to drop roughly one quarter to three eighth's of an inch while the door is being opened (or closed). Once the door is closed or locked, the window is designed to return to the closed position. The driver's side window does not close completely after locking the car, leaving the car open to the elements and vulnerable to break in. The same problem has appeared on the passenger side, although it only happens much less frequently. Local dealer and vwoa told me there is no fix for the 2012 beetle window problems, and that I will be called once there is a solution.
Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle electrical
Does the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the electrical of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2012 Volkswagen Beetle electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 809 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 19V615000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Beetle have the most electrical problems?
The Volkswagen Beetle model years with the most electrical complaints are 2000 (58 complaints), 1998 (53 complaints) and 2004 (47 complaints).
Other 2012 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Visibility 21Airbags 12Steering 7Engine 6Body 5Fuel system 4Suspension 3Acceleration 2Transmission 2Driver assistance 1Lights 1Seats 1
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