2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE Complaints and Recall Information
The 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has 0 complaints and 8 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to safety recalls affecting various components including tires, airbags, suspension, and brakes.
There are eight recalls affecting several key systems on the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. These recalls involve safety-critical components such as tires, airbags, suspension, ignition systems, and braking components.
Recalls- Tires. NHTSA recall 12V331000 affected 83 vehicles. Some 2012 Beetles were equipped with summer tires that fail to comply with federal safety standards, which increases crash risk. Volkswagen will replace the noncompliant tires free of charge.
- Passenger airbag control module. Recall 12V540000 involved 2,471 vehicles with leather sport seats. Wetting the right front passenger seat can cause the occupant control module to fail to detect a child restraint, preventing the airbag from turning off and increasing injury risk. Volkswagen will replace the control modules at no cost.
- Rear suspension trailing arms. Recall 14V656000 affected 442,066 vehicles. Previously deformed rear trailing arms may fracture suddenly, resulting in loss of control and crash risk. Dealers will install a sheet metal inlay to reinforce the trailing arms free of charge.
- Regulatory compliance issues. Recall 19V679000 covered 113 vehicles where internal modifications might cause noncompliance with regulatory requirements, raising crash or injury risk. Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase affected vehicles.
- Ignition anti-theft control module. Recall 19V615000 included 679,027 vehicles. Silicate buildup on the shift lever micro switch contacts can allow key removal without the vehicle in "Park," risking unintended rollaway and injury. Dealers will add a switch and circuit board to prevent key removal.
- Steering column anti-theft lock. Part of 19V615000 recall involving the same 679,027 vehicles. The defect and fix match the ignition control module issue regarding unintended rollaway risk.
- Brake master cylinder. Recall 20E064000 involved 38 vehicles with aftermarket or replacement master cylinders that may leak brake fluid or come apart, reducing braking ability and increasing crash risk. Affected parts will be exchanged free of charge.
- Driver frontal airbag inflator. Recall 20V785000 affected 105,652 vehicles. Propellant degradation may cause the airbag inflator to explode, projecting metal fragments and causing serious injury or death. Dealers will replace the driver airbag inflator at no cost.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs related to safety defects or unresolved recall issues may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting an attorney familiar with these laws can help determine potential remedies.
2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE Summary
2012
Model Year
0
Total Complaints
7
Total Recalls
1229450
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
38 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Risk: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
105652 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
679027 vehicles affected
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
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.
2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
113 vehicles affected
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
442066 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
2471 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
2012 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
83 vehicles affected
TIRES
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.
Complaints
No complaints found.