CarBrief

NHTSA lists 65 owner complaints for the 2012 Beetle[1], and NHTSA lists 65 owner complaints for the 2012 Beetle[1]. In the samples we read, owners describe power window and windshield trouble[2][3]. The car also has 6 recalls on file[4], so check each one before you buy or keep it.. The car also has 6 recalls on file[4], so check each one before you buy or keep it.

65owner complaints[1]
6recalls[4]
24–25MPG combined (EPA)[5]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 65 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Beetle[1]. Four mention a crash, 3 mention injuries, and none mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

The largest component groups are:

Component group Complaints
Visibility[2] 13
Electrical system[7] 12
Air bags[8] 12
Visibility/wiper[3] 10
Steering[9] 7
Engine[10] 6

Windows and glass. In the sample of visibility complaints we read, owners describe a driver window that will not close properly or lets rain in[2]. Some of these texts repeat, so they do not all come from different owners. In the visibility/wiper sample, owners describe windshields that cracked with no impact they could point to, and driver windows that would not close or moved on their own[3].

Electrical. In the electrical sample, owners describe power windows that stop, reverse or need several tries to close. A few describe a key that sticks in the ignition[7]. The median mileage at failure for electrical complaints is 809 miles[7].

Air bags. Air bag complaints carry 2 crashes and 2 injuries[8]. In the sample we read, owners describe getting the inflator recall notice but being told the replacement part was not yet available. A smaller number describe air bags that did not deploy in a rear end crash[8].

Steering has 7 complaints with 1 crash and 1 injury[9]. Engine has 6 complaints and no crashes or injuries[10]. These counts are small, so we do not call either a common problem.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this car[4]. Newest first[4]:

Ask a dealer to confirm each recall repair was done. Several of these recalls cover other models and years too.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists four versions of the 2012 Beetle. All are front-wheel drive.

Engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium[5] 22 / 30 / 25 $3,300
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium[17] 21 / 30 / 24 $3,400
2.5L 5-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular[18] 22 / 29 / 25 $2,700
2.5L 5-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular[19] 22 / 31 / 25 $2,700

The EPA fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new. Combined MPG is 24 or 25 for all four[5][18][17][19].

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 2-door front-wheel drive Beetle 4 stars overall[6]. Frontal crash is 4 stars, side crash is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[6]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 10.5%[6].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 2.0L 4-cylinder at 200 hp[20] and the 2.5L 5-cylinder at 170 hp[21].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Comfortline/Highline/Premiere Sportline
Length[22][23] 169 in 169 in
Width[22][23] 71 in 71 in
Height[22][23] 59 in 59 in
Wheelbase[22][23] 100 in 100 in
Curb weight[22][23] 2,939 lb 3,042 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

1998: 201 complaints, 3 recalls19981999: 208 complaints, 2 recalls2000: 303 complaints, 3 recalls20002001: 242 complaints, 5 recalls2002: 180 complaints, 3 recalls20022003: 334 complaints, 2 recalls2004: 361 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 261 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 125 complaints, 3 recalls20062007: 56 complaints, 2 recalls2008: 60 complaints, 3 recalls20082009: 33 complaints, 2 recalls2010: 30 complaints, 3 recalls20102012: 65 complaints, 6 recalls6520122013: 101 complaints, 6 recalls20132014: 54 complaints, 5 recalls2015: 99 complaints, 5 recalls20152016: 59 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 17 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 17 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 15 complaints, 3 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Beetle model year. The 2012 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19982013
19992082
20003033
20012425
20021803
20033342
20043615
20052613
20061253
2007562
2008603
2009332
2010303
2012656
20131016
2014545
2015995
2016593
2017173
2018173
2019153

The 2012 Beetle has 65 complaints and 6 recalls[4]. Among the years NHTSA lists, only 2013 also has 6 recalls, and 2013 has more complaints at 101[4]. The 2015 model year has 99 complaints and 5 recalls[4].

Some years have fewer complaints. 2014 has 54[4], 2016 has 59[4], and 2017, 2018 and 2019 have 17, 17 and 15[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat this as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2012 Beetle?

The complaint count is 65[1]., and In the samples we read, owners describe window and windshield trouble[2][3]. Engine has 6 complaints[10].. The bigger task is the recall list. There are 6 recalls[4], and the driver air bag inflator recall may involve a wait for parts according to some owners[8][11]. Before buying, run the VIN and ask for proof that each recall repair was done. NHTSA rates it 4 stars overall[6]. Fuel economy is 24 to 25 combined MPG across the versions listed[5][18][17][19].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle?
NHTSA has 65 complaints[1]. The groups with the most are visibility at 13[2], electrical system at 12[7], air bags at 12[8] and visibility/wiper at 10[3]. In the samples we read, owners describe power windows and windshields.
How many recalls does the 2012 Beetle have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls, covering air bag inflators, regulatory compliance, key removal outside Park, rear trailing arms, child seat detection and summer tires[4][11][12][13][14][15][16].
What is the gas mileage of a 2012 Beetle?
The EPA lists 24 to 25 combined MPG[5][18][17][19]. The 2.0L turbo automatic is 22 city and 30 highway[5] and the 2.5L automatic is 22 city and 29 highway[18].
How safe is the 2012 Beetle?
NHTSA gives the 2-door front-wheel drive Beetle 4 stars overall and 5 stars for side crash[6].
Which Beetle year has fewer complaints than 2012?
Among listed years, 2014 has 54 complaints[4], 2016 has 59[4] and 2017 has 17[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 13 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,278). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 10 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Beetle model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Beetle, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 12 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 809). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 12 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 7 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,399). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,322). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 20V785, filed December 16, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 19V679, filed September 25, 2019: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 19V615, filed August 22, 2019: Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 14V656, filed October 20, 2014: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 12V540, filed November 15, 2012: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 12V331, filed July 16, 2012: Tires. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Beetle, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Beetle, 2.5L 5-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Beetle, 2.5L 5-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Volkswagen Beetle with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 200 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Volkswagen Beetle with 2.5L 5-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, BEETLE COMFORTLINE/HIGHLINE/PREMIERE/PREMIERE: length 169 in, width 71 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,939 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, BEETLE SPORTLINE: length 169 in, width 71 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 3,042 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.