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2016 Volkswagen Beetle problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle is airbags. It has fewer complaints than a typical Beetle model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
80/100
Owner complaints
48
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
699
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
26-28mpg

The worst 2016 Volkswagen Beetle problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    35
  • Electrical
    6
  • Suspension
    3
  • Wheels
    3
  • Acceleration
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    35
  • Electrical
    6
  • Suspension
    3
  • Wheels
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 3

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported December 21, 2022 · 37,558 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Beetle and Beetle Convertibles 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
Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69EM.

Recall number 22V945000 · 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

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported October 26, 2015 · 91,867 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Risk
If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑822‑8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

Recall number 15V705000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle 699

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

See all 699 bulletins for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle

2016 Volkswagen Beetle fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.8L 4‑cylFWD24-2531-3327-28
2.0L 4‑cylFWD23-2430-3126

What 2016 Volkswagen Beetle owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Airbags · 30,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an air bag failure shortly after the recall repair. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a driver’s side air bag failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · FL

ABS module is defective. This results in numerous warning lights, including abs, traction control, airbags, tire pressure warning, check engine light, epc light, and speed control usability. I have no working abs, seat belt, or traction control, which is a safety issue. There was a previous safety recall for VW with defective abs control modules, 45F2. The problem has been confirmed through an authorized VW repair shop. The part will be made available.

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · IN

On October 21st I had a recall performed at Evansville D- Patrick for a 37M2 shift lever micro switch. Today Nov 5th I was leaving work, pulling out of the drive onto highway and once I got on the road the car lost motion and just rolled. Barely made it across the highway. I got across the street into another lot. Turned car off and back on. You can hear the throttle but tires would not move. It would not go into any gear. It wouldn’t even go into park. It would roll no matter what the gear shifter was in. The work they did was in the gear shifter. So whatever work they performed was not done right. The sensor was bad they installed possibly or they didn’t connect the linkage or cables of some sort back I’m thinking. To have that recall done then have an issue with it that has to do with going into park is very odd. Especially to have an issue like that after having the appointment so close. I plan to have it towed to dealership but they are already trying to say it’s not something they did. Everything I’ve looked at with the recall correlates with the gear shifter which is what I had issues with today. The car can not move and I barely made it across the road before a semi came. They should definitely be held accountable for covering the cost of repairs or fixing the recall correctly.

Filed Sep 4, 2025 · Airbags · NY

I purchased a 2016 VW Beetle, used, in March of 2025. Over the past few weeks, I have received multiple urgent messages from Volkswagon that I need to have the airbag fixed. The communications say there is a high risk of death or serious injury and urge me to my have the repair done ASAP. They have sent multiple mailings to me and made several phone calls to my home. I am doing everything in my power to get this fixed. I have called all the local dealerships within a 50 mile radius, but they do not have the appropriate parts in stock, and have no idea when parts will be available. I am told that the car is safe to drive (which is the exact opposite of what the mailings say) and they tell me to simply "call back in a month". I have also tried calling customer service at Volkswagon HQ, as well as the 800 numbers on my mailings. No luck. This is not acceptable. With such a dangerous issue, how can this be allowed? These cars need to be fixed.....many Volkswagon owners are TRYING to get them fixed....but Volkswagon is just shrugging their shoulders and saying there is nothing they can do. I'm attaching a copy of the message I received in the mail just this week. You can see how urgent they have indicated this is. They mailed it out KNOWING they do not have the parts available to do my repairs. They scare us that we'll be killed if we don't get the repair done immediately, yet when I call to schedule my repair, all I get is "sorry, we can't help you."

Filed Feb 29, 2024 · Airbags · MA

See attached document for complaint

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Airbags · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Oct 19, 2023 · Airbags · NY

We have been attempting to have the car in for this recall - however both the dealership and regional office have said the 'repair is not available' How long does a mfg have to start making repairs under a recall (69EM) We have been patiently waiting over a year. Please advise.

Filed Oct 9, 2023 · Airbags · NH

Have not heard anything since February 2023 regarding repair of driver's side air bag inflator. 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 resulting in serious injury or death.

Filed Oct 2, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · TX

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT HAS YET TO BE FIXED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS SENT TO DEALERS. Manufacturer Recall Number69EM the federal safety agency Recall Number22V945 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary The driver's side airbag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Safety Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Filed Sep 26, 2023 · Airbags · PA

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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Questions about the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?

Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle, fewer than a typical Beetle model year.

What is the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle year score?

The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle scores 80 out of 100 (good). 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 2016 Volkswagen Beetle?

Airbags, with 35 complaints. Next is electrical (6).

How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle have?

3 recalls, covering air bags, electrical system and engine and engine cooling.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 22V945000. 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 2016 Volkswagen Beetle get?

Official estimates for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle range from 26 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 24-25 city and 31-33 highway.

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