Reliable Auto DB

2016 Volkswagen Beetle reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle has 59 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Beetle years here — under the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Inflator, Brake master cylinder, and Control module.

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

59

Per year

1

Recalls

4

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (46 of 59), then Electrical system (6) and Suspension (3). The most filings arrived in 2023 (40 of 59). Those filings include 2 that report a crash.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Beetle has 99 complaints, 7 per year, and the 2017 has 15 complaints, 1 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

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 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2022-12-21 · NHTSA campaign 22V945000
Summary 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.
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 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 Engine 2015-10-26 · NHTSA campaign 15V705000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (59 total)

Air bags
46
Electrical system
6
Suspension
3
Wheels
3
Service brakes
2
Speed control
2
Steering
2
Tires
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Engine
1
Powertrain
1
Structure
1
Show 4 more Show less
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120172201852019320202202112022402023120242202522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that the…"
    Air bags · filed 2026-09-03
  • "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…"
    Air bags, Speed control, Service brakes · filed 2026-06-25
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Speed control · filed 2025-11-05
  • "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…"
    Air bags · filed 2025-09-04
  • "See attached document for complaint"
    Air bags · filed 2024-02-29

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Beetle 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 33 28 MPG $2300
Beetle 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S6) Front-wheel drive 24 31 26 MPG $2500
Beetle 1.8L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 25 33 28 MPG $2300
Beetle 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 23 31 26 MPG $2500
Beetle convertible 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 33 28 MPG $2300
Beetle convertible 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S6) Front-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500
Beetle convertible 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 23 31 26 MPG $2500
Beetle Dune 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 31 27 MPG $2400
Beetle Dune convertible 1.8L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 24 31 27 MPG $2400

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 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Next year 2017 Volkswagen Beetle See every Volkswagen Beetle model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?

The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle has 59 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Beetle years here — under the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Inflator, Brake master cylinder, and Control module.

What are common problems with a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (46 of 59), then Electrical system (6) and Suspension (3). The most filings arrived in 2023 (40 of 59). Those filings include 2 that report a crash.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Beetle has 99 complaints, 7 per year, and the 2017 has 15 complaints, 1 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle been recalled?

The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle has 4 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 2016 Volkswagen Beetle?

Owners have filed 59 complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle is 26.9 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).