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2014 Volkswagen Beetle problems

The most common problem on the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle is airbags, typically around 9,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Beetle model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
73/100
Owner complaints
50
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
1,333
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
23-32mpg

The worst 2014 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.

  • Airbags
    15
  • Electrical
    13
  • Body
    6
  • Engine
    6
  • Visibility
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Steering
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 5

Air bags: frontalReported December 16, 2020 · 105,652 vehicles affected
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

Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control moduleReported August 22, 2019 · 679,027 vehicles affected
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

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel railReported January 23, 2015 · 44,658 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Risk
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V‑809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.

Recall number 15V028000 · Recall details

Visibility: sun/moon roof assemblyReported October 20, 2014 · 7,062 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Beetle vehicles manufactured June 13, 2013, to July 3, 2014. The glass sunroofs in the affected vehicles may break when the vehicles are operated over a hard road surface or strike a pothole.
Risk
Vehicle occupants could be injured by falling glass. A sunroof break during vehicle operation also increases the risk of driver distraction and a resulting vehicle crash.
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.

Recall number 14V658000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and linesReported April 15, 2014 · 26,452 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
Risk
The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.

Recall number 14V182000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle

Technical service bulletins for the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle 1,333

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 1,333 bulletins for the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle

2014 Volkswagen Beetle fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cyl DieselFWD27-2838-4030-32
1.8L 4‑cylFWD24-253227
2.0L 4‑cylFWD23-2429-3125-26
2.5L 5‑cylFWD21-2227-3123-25

What 2014 Volkswagen Beetle owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 10, 2025 · Body · CA

Roof has cracked from sunroof to the pillar in multiple locations it is avaliable for inspection. It’s a common issues with beetles with sun roofs My concern is if it cracks enough a large piece may come off and potentially strike another vehicle especially at freeway speeds Dealer has denied the repair

Filed Dec 6, 2024 · Airbags, Brakes · FL

This complaint involves the failure of the ABS Control Module. Upon starting the car, audible warnings as well as dash warning lights indicate urgent brake failure, ABS failure, Airbag failure and stability control failure. In my particular case, the rear brake calipers do not activate fully when braking resulting in increased stopping distance. Vehicle was scanned at dealer on 11/16/24 indicating failure of ABS Control Module. Repair estimate, $5379. This is apparently a common issue when searching on-line VW forums. The ABS Module was the subject of a recall for 2009 and 2010 models but appears to still affect later model years. VW is forcing its customers to choose between an exorbitant repair bill or driving an unsafe vehicle knowing they have installed defective modules. Dealer states unable to predict future brake and other issues if not repaired. Evidence of how common this problem occurs is their own admission that the parts are back ordered.

Filed Apr 12, 2024 · Fuel system · 40,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel lines failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Sep 9, 2023 · Airbags · FL

On my dashboard, my passenger seat airbag started going off. I brought my VW Beetle in for its 100,000-mile maintenance check and asked about the airbag. My mechanic informed me that the passenger seat airbag was failing, and if I were driving with someone and crashed, their airbag would not deploy. They told me there was nothing I could've done to prevent this, it's just the piece itself has failed. Their advisory notes were: 'Airbag light on trouble code B12251B occupied recognition sensor mat. PART #5C5959337.' I researched if my car was eligible for a recall and it is not, however I saw that VW has a recall for Takata Driver Front Airbags.

Filed Sep 7, 2023 · Engine · NY

The timing chain on my 2014 r-line Turbo Volkswagen Beetle with only 45,000 miles failed and subsequently destroyed the engine. Apparently this is a known issue with VW and Audi's manufactured between 2009 - 2014. There was a class action lawsuit against VW that does not apply to our situation as the claim has passed. Why has there not been a RECALL placed on this? Now we are stuck with a $16,000 piece of junk. Please put a recall on these vehicles to protect consumers like us who are at the mercy of this unscrupulous business.

Filed Feb 2, 2023 · Visibility · 85,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the high-beam headlights, the lever failed to operate as designed. The contact stated who is an independent mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the multifunction lever switch failed to operate in the forward position as designed, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Nov 18, 2022 · Airbags · HI

Beginning in June 2021 and thereafter, my husband and I received notifications from Volkswagen of America of a life-threatening urgent airbag safety recall for our 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible - our only vehicle. The recall is referenced on your websiteManufacturer Recall Number 69BC; the federal safety agency Recall Number 20V785. In response to the notifications, we have spent the past nearly 16 months seeking an appointment to have this airbag defect repaired. Initially, we were advised that a qualified technician from Honolulu would come to the Island of Hawaii (where we reside) to make the necessary repairs, as we were informed that there are no qualified dealers or technicians on our island, which has a population of more than 200,000 people, boasts many VW repair shops, and is home to a plethora of other VW drivers. Until last week, my husband’s numerous calls over the past 16 months seeking a repair appointment were met with repeated assurances that someone from VW would contact us for an appointment locally or return our call for scheduling. Having still not heard from WV about scheduling an appointment, we called yet again two weeks ago and they said they no longer send a technician from Honolulu to our island and that we would need to ship our car to Honolulu by boat at our expense to receive the necessary airbag replacement. Aside from being contrary to the numerous statements in the written notifications that the repair, the repair appointment, and alternative transportation would be “free” to us, it appears contrary to public safety protocol that we, the consumers/drivers, would need to come out of pocket an estimated $2,000 to ship and insure the car and obtain alternative transportation while our car is unavailable. While we are concerned about our own well-being as respects driving the car, we are also concerned that there may be many other VW drivers in Hawaii who are similarly situated. A detailed timeline documenting the above is attached.

Filed Jun 6, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · 63,652 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated the ignition failed to turn off and the gear shifter did not recognize the PARK gear. The contact stated the key would not unlatch and was eventually fractured. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had the recall repairs completed. The contact stated shortly after the recall repairs, he continued to experience the failure. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,652.

Filed Apr 25, 2022 · Engine · AL

When I try to accelerate the car rattles and will not go. I was told my 2014 volkswagen beetle's engine was burning oil internally so they told me I needed an oil splicer/seperator I did that and it did not help. I dont undrestand but I have taken my car in to be serviced twice a year since I purchased ii in 2015. I am told I need a new engine.

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the horn worked intermittently before receiving notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V785000 (Air Bags). The contact took the vehicle to local dealer and the recall repair completed. The contact stated that the horn was still functioning intermittently after the recall repair. The dealer stated that the recall did not cover diagnostic testing or repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

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Questions about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?

Owners have filed 50 complaints about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle, fewer than a typical Beetle model year.

What is the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle year score?

The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle scores 73 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 2014 Volkswagen Beetle?

Airbags, with 15 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles. Next is electrical (13).

How many recalls does the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle have?

5 recalls, covering air bags, electrical system and fuel system, gasoline.

Was there a recall on the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 20V785000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Volkswagen Beetle have bad airbags?

The Volkswagen Beetle model years with the most airbags complaints are 2004 (73 complaints), 2000 (64 complaints) and 2003 (60 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle get?

Official estimates for the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle range from 23 to 32 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl diesel, FWD) gets 27-28 city and 38-40 highway.

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