{"id":"2018_volkswagen_beetle","make":"Volkswagen","make_slug":"volkswagen","model":"Beetle","model_slug":"beetle","year":2018,"url":"/volkswagen/beetle/2018/","pts":["gas"],"configs":[{"id":38911,"model":"Beetle","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":26,"hwy":33,"comb":29,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Compact Cars","co2":308,"fe_score":6,"ghg_score":6,"fuel_cost":2150,"save_spend":500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"VGA","modified":"Mon Feb 12 00:00:00 EST 2018"},{"id":38905,"model":"Beetle Convertible","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":26,"hwy":33,"comb":29,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Subcompact Cars","co2":308,"fe_score":6,"ghg_score":6,"fuel_cost":2150,"save_spend":500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"VGA","modified":"Mon Feb 12 00:00:00 EST 2018"},{"id":38910,"model":"Beetle Dune","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":26,"hwy":34,"comb":29,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Compact Cars","co2":305,"fe_score":6,"ghg_score":6,"fuel_cost":2150,"save_spend":500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"VGA","modified":"Mon Feb 12 00:00:00 EST 2018"},{"id":38904,"model":"Beetle Dune Convertible","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S6)","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":26,"hwy":34,"comb":29,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Subcompact Cars","co2":305,"fe_score":6,"ghg_score":6,"fuel_cost":2150,"save_spend":500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"VGA","modified":"Mon Feb 12 00:00:00 EST 2018"}],"vclass":"Compact Cars","segment":"Compact car","recalls":[{"campaign":"24V834000","component":"AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE","mfr":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","reported":"2024-10-30","owner_notified":"2024-12-04","units":248330,"summary":"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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"69EG,69GQ,69E6","initiated_by":"ODI","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"19V615000","component":"STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE","mfr":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","reported":"2019-08-22","owner_notified":"2019-11-19","units":679027,"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.\"","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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"37M2","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"18V369000","component":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER","mfr":"Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.","reported":"2018-06-01","owner_notified":"2018-06-29","units":10225,"summary":"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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":true,"mfr_campaign":"47N8, 47N9, 47N6","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"critical"}],"recall_count":3,"critical_count":1,"park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":true,"score":69,"grade":"D","complaints":{"count":17,"crash":0,"fire":0,"injured":0,"deaths":0,"comps":[["Air Bags",7],["Electrical System",6],["Unspecified",4],["Engine",1],["Fuel/Propulsion System",1],["Forward Collision Avoidance",1]],"by_year":{"2018":1,"2019":1,"2020":1,"2021":4,"2022":1,"2024":2,"2025":6,"2026":1},"excerpts":[["2026-09-05","Structure","I am submitting a formal vehicle safety report regarding a hazardous mechanical reassembly failure involving my 2018 Volkswagen Beetle Coast. On August 14, 2026, the vehicle underwent service evaluation at Stohlman Volkswagen Tysons Corner. Immediately upon exiting the facility, a critical 'Brake Fluid Low' safety alar\u2026"],["2025-09-24","Air Bags","The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the front passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was notified of the failure.\u2026"],["2025-09-24","Air Bags","The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall r\u2026"]]},"investigations":[],"ncap":[{"desc":"2 DR FWD","overall":null,"frontal":4,"side":null,"rollover":4,"rollover_risk":0.105,"seats":4,"fcw":"No","ldw":"No","aeb":"No","esc":"","backup_cam":"","variant":null}],"popularity":999,"headline":{"range":null,"mpg":29,"ncap":null,"complaints":17},"presskit_trims":[],"generated_at":"2026-09-11 05:01 UTC","sources":["EPA fueleconomy.gov","NHTSA recalls","NHTSA complaints","NHTSA NCAP","NHTSA investigations"]}