2014 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 21% of complaints. Next are electrical system (18%) and engine (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 71 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 21% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 20,000 miles 46 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 21 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 11 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 46 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 20,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 4 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2014 ranks 14th most-complained-about out of 18 model years of the Volkswagen Beetle with enough data (44 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owned a 2014 volkswagen beetle. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact's vehicle rear ended the preceding vehicle. A police report was filed. After approximately 25 minutes, the vehicle became engulfed in flames and burned to the ground. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The ambulance had to transport the contact and a passenger to the hospital due to bruises from the air bag deployment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
Rear-ended a car in stop and go traffic on freeway - fender bender-no air bags went off. Both cars drove off the freeway to the side streets to exchange information. About 10 to 15 mins later whilst the car was parked and engine turned off - there were two pop pop noises and then car burst into flames.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 volkswagen beetle. While driving approximately 3 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front end of the contact's vehicle. The driver side air bag deployed. The contact sustained lacerations to the forehead and a fractured sternum that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.
Clockspring in steering broke causing failure of ABS, airbag, ESC and tire pressure monitoring system.car was brand new with 259 miles.
Driver side takeda air bag replaced under 20v785000 recall notice by classic volkswagen, gastonia, nc. Vehicle returned from repair with broken steering wheel clock spring. Horn, cruise control, steer wheel controls for entertainment system are all inoperative regardless of steering wheel position or if vehicle is stationary or in motion.