3.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,214 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Comments

problem #16

Mar 122021

Beetle

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission control module communication errors (P0864) caused vehicle to shut down at high speed (55mph) killing power steering and ABS system on a curvy country road.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #15

Jul 072020

Beetle

  • 77,782 miles
The air conditioner compressor stop working

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #14

Jul 302020

Beetle

  • 77,782 miles
The tail light connector rotted while L was driving on the street

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #13

Jul 082019

Beetle

  • 69,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Around 7/8/19 my key started getting stuck in the on position car running. I to be after reading complaints and seen there was an extended warranty on the steering lock so they fixed that no problem. When I got the car back the key was already in ignition. I went to gas station took key out and opened door and it was chiming like the keys were still on the ignition I couldn't even use the key fob to lock doors. I took back to be on 8/2/19 told them I had no problems til they worked on it so they didn't charge me a diagnostic fee when they called to say that the tumbler was bad and that wasn't covered by the extended warranty. I said it didn't do it before you messed with it but they refuse to fix what they broke and said they have to order the part from Mexico.

- Soldotna, AK, USA

problem #12

Jul 212019

Beetle

  • 63,000 miles
Over time, the ignition will not turn whenever the key is inserted. This occurs especially often in warmer weather, which can become a danger as the driver sits and wrestles with the key trying to get it to turn in the ignition in an incredibly hot car. It most often happens when the car is stationary and already turned off, though it has happened a few times after parking, and being unable to turn the key back and turn the car off.

- Duncansville, PA, USA

problem #11

Feb 042019

Beetle

  • 145,000 miles
My 2013 Beetle was stationary with the engine running and the key locked in the ignition. I was unable to turn the key to turn off the car. I drove to the VW dealership and they stated they had to pull a fuse in order to stop the running engine and still could not remove the ignition key.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #10

Jun 192018

Beetle

  • 59,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have noticed my center driver-side headlight dim/turn off for some time thinking the headlight was bad. I had the headlight replaced in February but still had people tell me it was out and at times I could see this in the reflection of truck tailgates, etc. The surrounding daytime running light can make it hard to tell. However, in the last couple weeks, every two to three minutes, sometimes after noticing the initial dim of the driver-side head light, all light turn off leaving the car in motion in the dark. This has happened both on local roads and highway. Engaging the fog lights may extend the time between shut-offs by another minute or so. By turning the lights off and waiting a second, then turning them back on, all lights come back. Doing so too quickly does not always work. The dealership mechanic feels it is capacitor or similar electric issue in the J519 body control module that receives power for the lights and controls them from there. Being a safety issue, I have to wonder if creating such a weak-link to power all nighttime running lights is not recall worthy. He suggested full module replacement I do have video to share of this occurring.

- Pine Grove Mills, PA, USA

problem #9

Sep 132016

Beetle

  • 5 miles
Takata recall on 8/13/16 while driving this vehicle without warning, the engine shuts off. I was traveling about 45 mph on a city street and as I attempt to move over the engine shut off and I could not steer the vehicle. After coming to a complete stop I was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle did this several more times before I was to send it back to the car lot. I was told that the crank shaft was repaired on the vehicle. On 9/13/2016 (1month later) while traveling South on a busy city street at approximately 45 mph, in front of an 18 wheeler this car shut of and immediately restarted on its very own. I moved over to a slower lane to prevent any accidents. I proceeded to my destination and without any warning the vehicle engine shut off again, only this time I had to manually restart the vehicle. I parked the car at an area restaurant for at least 2 hours. I went out to start the car and there was no power at all. I called tripe aaa, they checked the battery and the car still would not start. Finally a tow truck was dispatched and arrived about 15 mins after the battery check and all lights were own. In about 10 mins I attempted to start the vehicle and it started without any hesitation. I have not driven the vehicle since because I absolutely fear for my safety.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #8

Aug 032016

Beetle

  • 9,000 miles
1. vehicle was stationary in my drive way (and on several occasions, parked in a lot), convertible roof stalls upon opening. You have to stop pressing button and try again. Eventually it starts again and opens. VW service unable to replicate. They grease the equipment involved hoping it corrects the problem. 2. when car was new, not windshield wiper problems were noted. After a year the drivers side squirts out in such a way that the wiper doesn't get wet enough to clean window, thus leaving blurry streaks that impedes driver's side vision. Passenger side ok. Took car in 2 times, they say they adjust spray. Problem still there even after replacing wipers with brand new (volkswagon brand) wipers. Just had the spray fixed again last week. Afraid to see if it is any better. Will write another report if problem persists. Had convertible top gears greased again last week. I wonder if hot weather is effecting the top to open?

- San Clemente, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 112016

Beetle

  • 37,000 miles
Trunk latch intermittently does not operate. Vehicle has electronic keyless locks and ignition.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

problem #6

Mar 102016

Beetle

  • 37,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The trunk latch does not work intermittently. The vehicle has keyless electronic locks. Brought to dealer but the latch works fine. When this occurs, the trunk is not accessible unless someone crawls not the the trunk via the back seat. Condition has been intermittent since purchase.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

problem #5

Sep 232015

Beetle

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the radio was not working properly. When activated, the radio prompted the contact for a code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 56,000.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 272015

Beetle

  • 23,000 miles
We were driving home in our 2013 Volkswagen Beetle convertible when the engine died causing a lack of steering control. This is actually the second time this has happened with this vehicle. My wife is pregnant and I have lost confidence in this car being able to move my family around safely. I have searched online and others have had similar issues. The dealers are not able to "duplicate" the issue so they send you away with an unsafe vehicle. Hopefully this does not wind up being a situation similar to GM where people have to lose their lives before the issues are corrected.

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #3

Mar 142014

Beetle 4-cyl

  • 4,113 miles
Car would stall and abruptly stop when operating and all engine and electrical functions and safety features would turn off and not work (e.g., engine, assisted brakes, air bags, horn, running lights, brake lights, hazard lights, entire dashboard would not work). About 10 minutes later, the car would power up again and run. The problem was intermittent (it happened again) and neither the manufacturer nor dealer could find the cause. The owner refused to drive it anymore unless they found the cause because the abrupt stopping could be catastrophic on the highway. The current position of the manufacturer and dealer is that it never happened. Another case is reported here where the same car abruptly stopped three times and the manufacturer and dealer could not find the cause.

- Westport, CT, USA

problem #2

Jun 262014

Beetle 5-cyl

  • 7,600 miles
Car stalls and looses power while driving. 3rd incident on car. Dealer and manufacture can't find any issue to repair.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #1

Jun 012013

Beetle

  • 150 miles
There is a delay between when the horn button is pressed and when it sounds. That's a hazard and makes no sense.

- Canton, CT, USA

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