Reliable Auto DB

2014 Volkswagen Beetle reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle over 13 years — 5 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Beetle years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Frontal, Brake master cylinder, and Control module.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle
Photo by Palauenc05, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

54

Per year

5

Recalls

6

Years on the road

13

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (17 of 54), then Electrical system (13) and Engine (6). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Next to 2013 and 2015

The 2013 Beetle has 101 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2015 has 99 complaints, 7 per year. The 2014 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013. The 2014 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (6)

Recall air bags, frontal 2020-12-16 · NHTSA campaign 20V785000
Summary 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.
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 Brake master cylinder 2020-09-23 · NHTSA campaign 20E064000
Summary 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.
Remedy Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Recall electrical system, ignition, anti-theft, control module 2019-08-22 · NHTSA campaign 19V615000
Summary 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."
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 gasoline fuel system, fuel injection, fuel rail 2015-01-23 · NHTSA campaign 15V028000
Summary 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.
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 visibility, sunroof 2014-10-20 · NHTSA campaign 14V658000
Summary 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.
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 powertrain, automatic transmission, cooling unit and lines 2014-04-15 · NHTSA campaign 14V182000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (54 total)

Air bags
17
Electrical system
13
Engine
6
Structure
6
Visibility and wipers
4
Exterior lighting
3
Powertrain
3
Service brakes
3
Speed control
3
Steering
3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Hydraulic brakes
2
Diesel fuel system
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Seats
1
Tires
1
Visibility
1
Show 11 more Show less
Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

3

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

8201432015520162201742018620194202010202142022420233202412025
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Structure · filed 2025-05-10
  • "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…"
    Air bags, Service brakes · filed 2024-12-06
  • "The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact stated that after his wife had driven the vehicle, upon restarting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the traction…"
    Air bags, Hydraulic brakes · filed 2024-10-29
  • "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…"
    Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2024-04-12
  • "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…"
    Air bags · filed 2023-09-09

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Beetle 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S6) Front-wheel drive 24 30 26 MPG $3050
Beetle 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 27 39 30 MPG $3150
Beetle 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 23 31 26 MPG $3050
Beetle 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S6) Front-wheel drive 28 40 32 MPG $2950
Beetle 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 32 27 MPG $2400
Beetle 2.5L, 5-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 22 31 25 MPG $2600
Beetle 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 24 32 27 MPG $2400
Beetle 2.5L, 5-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 22 29 25 MPG $2600
Beetle convertible 2.5L, 5-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 21 27 23 MPG $2800
Beetle convertible 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 32 27 MPG $2400
Beetle convertible 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 27 39 30 MPG $3150
Beetle convertible 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S6) Front-wheel drive 27 38 31 MPG $3050
Beetle convertible 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 23 31 26 MPG $3050
Beetle convertible 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S6) Front-wheel drive 23 29 25 MPG $3200

Specs and fitment

A5 generation (New Beetle successor), 2012–2019
Body styles Coupe, Convertible
Oil 0W-20 , 4.5 qt capacity
Tire size 215/55R17, 235/45R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 24V-834 covers certain 2017-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles among other VW models: the driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and high temperatures. Dealers replace the driver front air bag module. Recall 19V-094 covers certain 2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles: the instrument cluster may not provide a visual warning when a brake system failure is detected; dealers update instrument cluster software.

Compare

Previous year 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Next year 2015 Volkswagen Beetle See every Volkswagen Beetle model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?

Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle over 13 years — 5 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Beetle years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Frontal, Brake master cylinder, and Control module.

What are common problems with a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (17 of 54), then Electrical system (13) and Engine (6). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Beetle has 101 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2015 has 99 complaints, 7 per year. The 2014 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013. The 2014 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015.

Has the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle been recalled?

The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle has 6 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle?

Owners have filed 54 complaints about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle is 27.1 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Volkswagen Beetle take?

US A5 Beetles in this generation commonly use 0W-20 (about 4.5 qt with filter).

Does recall 24V-834 cover the Volkswagen Beetle?

It covers certain 2017-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles (among other VW models): the driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation.

What generation is the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle?

A5 generation for the US years this site tracks (2012-2019).