2012 Volkswagen Beetle
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 194 on record.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle at a glance
Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle recalls 7
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation…
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
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 transmis…
Fix: 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1…
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. If the right front passenger seat gets wet, the occupant control module may not properly detect the presence of a child restraint installed in the seat.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the control modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BEETLE VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES."
Fix: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT TIRES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible 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.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BC.
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.
Fix: 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…
Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle common problems
The most-reported problem areas from 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.
What's a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle worth?
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
2012 Volkswagen Beetle trims & engines on record
2012 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles on record
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0T White Turbo Launch Edition PZEV3VWVA7AT3CM642151
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT1CM632490
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT2CM611082
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT4CM613514
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0T White Turbo Launch Edition PZEV3VWVA7AT0CM609186
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT1CM650746
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L3VWJX7AT5CM612193
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT6CM602966
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Base3VWAX7AT6CM663248
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0T White Turbo Launch Edition PZEV3VWVA7AT1CM626000
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L3VWHX7AT8CM632971
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0T Turbo3VW467AT2CM623832
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT7CM611725
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT2CM611793
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT6CM615314
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT0CM617740
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L3VWJX7AT5CM607799
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L3VWJX7AT5CM609956
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7ATXCM616854
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT1CM615110
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT1CM630223
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0T White Turbo Launch Edition3VWV87AT8CM625907
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7ATXCM603750
2012 Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L PZEV3VWJP7AT4CM665628
Other Volkswagen Beetle model years
2012 Volkswagen Beetle — frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle have any safety recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle?
Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine, vehicle speed control.
What is the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle safety rating?
NHTSA gives the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle at about 25 mpg combined (22 city / 30 highway).
How much is a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle worth?
Comparable 2012 Volkswagen Beetle listings run roughly $8,998–$14,875, typically around $12,006 (from 192 vehicles).
Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.