2015 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A FREIGHT TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT FELT PAIN IN THE RIGHT ARM AND NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,300.

3/15/2016

MY KEY WILL NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF. IT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT COME OUT. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATER TO STOP THE ENGINE.

4/29/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS THAT INCLUDED THE VEHICLE SHUTTING COMPLETELY OFF, OCCASIONALLY NOT BEING ABLE TO START, ALONG WITH DOORS AND WINDOWS OCCASIONALLY NOT OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE COMPUTER NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY FOB. NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC COMPUTER FAILURE, WHICH COMPLETELY DISABLED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER WITH AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE SECOND VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

6/2/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE "IGNITION KEY WAS NOT IN RANGE WARNING" APPEARED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION KEY BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

6/2/2015

THE BACKUP CAMERA ON THE VEHICLE IS SO DARK TO BE ALMOST UNUSABLE. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY DEVICE, BUT YOU CANNOT IDENTIFY WHAT IS IN YOUR PATH. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THIS AND THEY CANNOT FIND A FAULT OR A WAY TO ADJUST THE IMAGE. THEY CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN TECH SUPPORT WHO OFFERED NO SOLUTION AND DO NOT SEEM TO BE INTERESTED. I HAVE ASKED TO CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY, BUT THEY HAVE NO WAY FOR THE CONSUMER TO DO THAT. THIS CAR HAS THE "PREMIUM 8" RADIO AND NO NAVIGATION. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ODD COMBINATION AS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE ONE FOR COMPARISON WITHIN A 50 MILE RADIUS. AGAIN, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE BACKS OVER A CHILD OR SOMETHING ELSE.

5/16/2015

THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THE BACKUP CAMERA ON THE VEHICLE IS VERY DARK AND NOT SAFELY USABLE. EVEN ON SUNNY DAYS THE IMAGE IS VERY DARK AND OBJECTS CANNOT BE SEEN WELL ENOUGH TO MAKE BACKING UP SAFE. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON THE SAME DAY OF PURCHASE FOR REPAIR. WAS INFORMED THAT A SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE BUT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE DONE AND THAT MY VW CAMERA WAS COMPARED TO OTHER BEETLES IN THEIR LOT AND THEY WERE ALL THE SAME WITH LOW IMAGE. THE ADJUSTMENT MADE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE CAMERA IMAGE. IT IS STILL DARK AND NOT SAFE TO USE. I HAVE REGISTERED MY COMPLAINT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER AND WITH VW, INC. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

5/28/2015

SAFETY RECALL 23R1 WAS RECEIVED YET VW AND LOCAL DEALERSHIP WILL NOT MAKE REPAIRS STATING THAT THEIR NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION AND/OR I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL I HAVE ISSUES. THE NOTICE STATES THAT IT CAN "LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING". HOWEVER, THEY INSIST THAT I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY CAR THEY HAVE DETERMINED TO BE UNSAFE. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL AND VW REFUSES TO SEND PARTS TO MY LOCAL SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED STATING AGAIN THAT I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL I HAVE AN ISSUE. WE HAVE SPENT HOURS ON THE PHONE TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED AND VW CONTINUES TO BRUSH US OFF AND TELLING US THEY WILL RESOLVE IT TOMORROW. I DRIVE 200-500 MILES A DAY FOR WORK AROUND THE STATE AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR THAT COULD UNKNOWINGLY CRASH AT ANY MOMENT. IF THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN, VW WOULD NOT HAVE ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL. PER THEIR DOCUMENTS SENT TO NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: THE CAMSHAFT LOBE THAT CAN BREAK OFF DRIVES THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, AND IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS DRIVERS WOULD LOSE POWER ASSISTANCE AND SUFFER REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE.

12/29/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICES BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRM PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

2/9/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICES BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRM PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

2/9/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. 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. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

2/22/2016

SAFETY RECALL 23R1 WAS RECEIVED YET VW AND LOCAL DEALERSHIP WILL NOT MAKE REPAIRS STATING THAT THEIR NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION AND/OR I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL I HAVE ISSUES. THE NOTICE STATES THAT IT CAN "LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING". HOWEVER, THEY INSIST THAT I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY CAR THEY HAVE DETERMINED TO BE UNSAFE. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL AND VW REFUSES TO SEND PARTS TO MY LOCAL SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED STATING AGAIN THAT I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL I HAVE AN ISSUE. WE HAVE SPENT HOURS ON THE PHONE TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED AND VW CONTINUES TO BRUSH US OFF AND TELLING US THEY WILL RESOLVE IT TOMORROW. I DRIVE 200-500 MILES A DAY FOR WORK AROUND THE STATE AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR THAT COULD UNKNOWINGLY CRASH AT ANY MOMENT. IF THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN, VW WOULD NOT HAVE ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL. PER THEIR DOCUMENTS SENT TO NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: THE CAMSHAFT LOBE THAT CAN BREAK OFF DRIVES THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, AND IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS DRIVERS WOULD LOSE POWER ASSISTANCE AND SUFFER REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE.

12/29/2015

KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT TURN FOR IT TO POWER OFF. NO RELEASE IN THE CAR TO GET THE KEY OUT THEREFORE THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WITH THE BATTERY DISCONNECTED.

5/11/2017

THE BACKUP CAMERA ON THE BEETLE DOES NOT WORK. THE IMAGE ON THE SCREEN IS TOO DARK TO SEE ANYTHING. THE ONLY TIME YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE BACKUP CAMERA IS IN FULL SUN, AND THEN IT IS STILL DISTORTED AND UNABLE TO USE. I KNOW THAT 2018 THAT ALL CARS ARE SUPPOSE TO HAVE A BACK UP CAMERA, BUT IF A CAR ALREADY HAS THE SAFETY FEATURE SHOULD IT NOT WORK PROPERLY? MY THEORY IS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO TEST THE SYSTEM TO SEE HOW MUCH THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH. TO HAVE THE CAMERA IN PLACE, BUT ONLY MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF THE LAW. BUT THIS IS NOT USABLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE BEETLE INTO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS VISIBLE COMPARISON WITH OTHER BEETLES. THEY SAY THAT IT MEETS ALL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS, AND THERE IS NO FIX. *TR

3/24/2015

THE BACKUP CAMERA ON MY VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE IS SO DARK THAT IS IS VIRTUALLY USELESS. WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE MANAGER AGREED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. HE REPLACED THE CAMERA AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEN THE MANAGER LEFT AND ANOTHER ONE CAME ON BOARD WE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO VW AND THEY SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER ONSITE. HE TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS OK BECAUSE ALL OF THE CAMERAS WERE LIKE THAT. WE HAVE OWNED CARS PREVIOUSLY WITH BACK UP CAMERAS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. THE CAMERAS WITH GPS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALER TOLD ME I COULD PAY FOR A UNIT WITH GPS. I HAVE A HAND HELD GPS SO HAVE NO DESIRE TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO IT. I PAID EXTRA FOR THE BACKUP CAMERA AND DID NOT GET MY MONEY'S WORTH. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE BACK WINDOW IN THE CONVERTIBLE ALLOWS FOR ONLY LIMITED SIGHT.

9/28/2015

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON ROUTE 84-MASS PIKE(WHICH IS A FRESHLY PAVED ROAD) I NOTICED SOMETHING GO WRONG WITH THE BACK TIRES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. LUCKILY, AFTER DOING A FULL 360 I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND PULLED OVER. I HAD TO THE CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER IN WHICH THEY TOLD ME I HAD BROKE THE TIE ROD WHEN I WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE REASON I WENT OUT OF CONTROL IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY TIE ROD THAT HAD BROKEN FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. THE WEATHER THAT DAY WAS 50 DEGREES AND HAD BEEN 57 THE DAY BEFORE MEANING ABSOLUTELY NO BLACK ICE. THE ROADS WERE FRESHLY PAVED SO THERE WERE NO POT HOLES. I WAS CHARGED $875.00 TO FIX THE CAR IN ORDER TO GET IT HOME TO MY FATHER WHOM THE CAR BELONGS TO. I AM CONCERNED FOR ANYONE IF THE FUTURE THAT MAY EXPERIENCE THIS AND HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. I FEEL THAT THIS IS GROUNDS TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION. UNTIL THEN I WOULD LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT ON THIS FAIRLY NEW CAR.

2/3/2018

We have a big ign. Key that at times won't turn. Was informed by the dealer the mechanism is broke and it's a backordered item due to it being a common item . Failures of this part can cause the steering wheel to lock I have read

4/30/2025

BOTH DOORS WINDOWS MACHINE HAVE FAILED IN 3 YEARS

11/14/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE ROLL THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF HUNTINGTON LOCATED AT (838 E JERICHO TPKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11746). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,600.

3/11/2020

ESP LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CRITICAL ERROR WILL FLASH WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL SUTTER AND WILL NOT START. WHEN VEHICLE IS TAKEN TO HAVE THE ERROR MESSAGE READ NO RECORD IS FOUND IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. MOST RECENTLY AN ERROR MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE SCREEN AND THE WHOLE CAR WENT DEAD.

7/4/2016

MY KEY WILL NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF. IT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT COME OUT. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATER TO STOP THE ENGINE.

4/29/2019

THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THE BACKUP CAMERA ON THE VEHICLE IS VERY DARK AND NOT SAFELY USABLE. EVEN ON SUNNY DAYS THE IMAGE IS VERY DARK AND OBJECTS CANNOT BE SEEN WELL ENOUGH TO MAKE BACKING UP SAFE. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON THE SAME DAY OF PURCHASE FOR REPAIR. WAS INFORMED THAT A SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE BUT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE DONE AND THAT MY VW CAMERA WAS COMPARED TO OTHER BEETLES IN THEIR LOT AND THEY WERE ALL THE SAME WITH LOW IMAGE. THE ADJUSTMENT MADE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE CAMERA IMAGE. IT IS STILL DARK AND NOT SAFE TO USE. I HAVE REGISTERED MY COMPLAINT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER AND WITH VW, INC. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

5/28/2015

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON ROUTE 84-MASS PIKE(WHICH IS A FRESHLY PAVED ROAD) I NOTICED SOMETHING GO WRONG WITH THE BACK TIRES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. LUCKILY, AFTER DOING A FULL 360 I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND PULLED OVER. I HAD TO THE CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER IN WHICH THEY TOLD ME I HAD BROKE THE TIE ROD WHEN I WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE REASON I WENT OUT OF CONTROL IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY TIE ROD THAT HAD BROKEN FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. THE WEATHER THAT DAY WAS 50 DEGREES AND HAD BEEN 57 THE DAY BEFORE MEANING ABSOLUTELY NO BLACK ICE. THE ROADS WERE FRESHLY PAVED SO THERE WERE NO POT HOLES. I WAS CHARGED $875.00 TO FIX THE CAR IN ORDER TO GET IT HOME TO MY FATHER WHOM THE CAR BELONGS TO. I AM CONCERNED FOR ANYONE IF THE FUTURE THAT MAY EXPERIENCE THIS AND HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. I FEEL THAT THIS IS GROUNDS TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION. UNTIL THEN I WOULD LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT ON THIS FAIRLY NEW CAR.

2/3/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED AND CONTINUED DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEAM VOLKSWAGEN (3990 W LINCOLN HWY, MERRILVILLE, IN 45410) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V658000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,130.

11/14/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE ROLL THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF HUNTINGTON LOCATED AT (838 E JERICHO TPKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11746). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,600.

3/11/2020

Speedometer stops working. My 16 year old daughter can’t tell how fast she is going when the speedometer stops working. And the screen freezes. Cruise control does not work.

9/18/2023

The 2015 Volkswagen Beetle was in a minor accident that was rear-ended by another vehicle. No one was injured. The other party claimed responsibility and the vehicle was repaired and the other party paid for the repairs. The problem is with Volkswagen not having the OEM safety equipment available to complete the repairs. The specific part is a spoiler attached to the rear trunk lid that increases the visibility of the brake light built into the rear trunk lid. In traffic this vehicle has only two brake lights within the rear fenders lower to the ground. The spoiler attached above the brake light that is attached at the top of the rear trunk lid, sits above the tail lights and the brake light can be seen by the driver in the vehicle behind the VW. VW claims that this part is on backorder. It is not available within the United States. I believe Volkswagen is refusing to manufacture this critical safety part for repairs of their vehicle. I have been told by several dealers that this part is not available and is on back order. I have tried to locate this part from VW dealers in Texas and out of state also. They all tell me the same thing. Its on back order. I understand this vehicle model is out of production but is being reintroduced again in 2025. Volkswagen should be responsible for providing original parts, especially critical safety parts. Hopefully the NTSA can bring this problem to Volkswagens attention and they will make the responsible safety decision and provide a critical safety component of this vehicle to the customers of their company. Thank you.

3/27/2025