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2016 Volkswagen Beetle

Gas
Compact Cars
9 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA59
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA28 mpg
2019201820172016

The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 9 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Beetle, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 59 complaints, most often about the air bags. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
BeetleGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo243328$2,250
BeetleGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo253328$2,250
Beetle ConvertibleGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo243328$2,250
Beetle DuneGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo243127$2,300
Beetle Dune ConvertibleGasFWD1.8L 4-cyl turbo243127$2,300
BeetleGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233126$2,400
BeetleGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243126$2,400
Beetle ConvertibleGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233126$2,400
Beetle ConvertibleGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233026$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36675, 36676, 36646, 37467, 38492, 36679, 36897, 36647, 36722.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Volkswagen Beetle is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

69EM
37,558 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V945000reported Dec 21, 2022Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Steering

37M2
679,027 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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."RiskRemoving 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.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V615000reported Aug 22, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

23R1
91,867 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskIf the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.FixVolkswagen 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V705000reported Oct 26, 2015Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
59complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 40 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Air Bags46
Electrical System6
Unspecified5
Wheels3
Suspension3
Steering2

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufactu…”Sep 15, 2023 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (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 t…”Sep 15, 2023 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of tim…”Aug 25, 2023 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Beetle model years

C

2019 Volkswagen Beetle

3 recalls · 15 complaints

D

2018 Volkswagen Beetle

3 recalls · 17 complaints

B

2017 Volkswagen Beetle

3 recalls · 17 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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