2017 Volkswagen Beetle: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 15 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The rear view camera stopped working (black screen.) I have tried to soft reset the infotainment display unit as well as a hard reset by disconnecting car battery to no avail. The trunk lock mechanism is operational (the rear view camera unit is located in the same unit.)”Owner report · Lane Departure · May 2026
“My local dealers still do not have the parts for the recall 24V834. It has been a year since the recall. What am I supposed to do?”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2025
“The contact owns a 2017 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 repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2025
Show 6 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2017 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2025
“The safety recall with the driver's air bag still does not have a remedy available to fix the problem. My safety is at risk every time this vehicle is driven. Nothing has occurred, but this needs to be rectified immediately.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2025
“The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that upon attempting to open the trunk, the trunk failed to open. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The contact was informed that the emergency trunk release might be the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2025
“Tl* the contact owns a 2017 volkswagen beetle. While the vehicle was parked, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact had to turn the steering wheel several times in order to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to schumacher volkswagen of west palm beach (3001 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33409) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The service manager stated that the ignition needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2020
“Passenger window regulator went bad. Not covered under warranty now. Had driver side replaced last year and warranty covered it. 1500 miles over warranty now”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2017 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated several times but was off when a passenger was in the front passenger seat. The vehicle had not been inspected and diagnosed by a dealer yet to determine if they may be able to check the dtc to determine a remedy to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, had not issued any tsb and no recall campaigns for the air bag system and the contact was uncertain if the vehicle may be repaired with a permanent remedy. The approximate failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 01B9.
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."
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2017 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Beetle by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
NHTSA has 15 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.