2018 Volkswagen Beetle
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 7 of 17 complaints (41%) mention it.
Complaints filed held steady at 17 in both 2017 and 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2018 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,400 | 2,250–2,400 | 2,150 | 2,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–28 | 26–28 | 29 | 29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–25 / 30–33 | 23–24 / 29–33 | 26 / 33–34 | 26 / 33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 318–343 | 322–349 | 305–308 | 308 | |
| Complaints filed | 59 | 17 | 17 | 15 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle?
Airbags & Restraints: 7 of 17 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle get?
EPA rates it 29 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle?
EPA estimates $2,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 26 mpg | 34 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 305 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 26 mpg | 33 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 308 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 34 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 305 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 33 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 308 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 24V834000 · Nov 6, 2024
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: 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 front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 20E064000 · Sep 8, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 19V615000 · Aug 22, 2019
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · Campaign 18V369000 · Jun 7, 2018
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.