Model year guide

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 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Volkswagen Beetle at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints65
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined25 mpg
Typical price$12,006

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle recalls 7

Unknown Or Other NHTSA Campaign #19V679000 · 25/09/2019

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.

Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module NHTSA Campaign #19V615000 · 22/08/2019

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.

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #14V656000 · 20/10/2014

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…

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #12V540000 · 15/11/2012

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.

Tires NHTSA Campaign #12V331000 · 16/07/2012

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.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #20V785000 · 16/12/2020

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder NHTSA Campaign #20E064000 · 23/09/2020

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.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

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

Combined25 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,775

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle worth?

Low
$8,998
Typical price
$12,006
High
$14,875

From 192 comparable 2012 Volkswagen Beetle listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,875
Fuel only$13,875
Per mile$0.19

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

Trims
2.5L PZEV · 2.0T White Turbo Launch Edition PZEV · 2.5L · 2.0T White Turbo Launch Edition · 2.0T Turbo PZEV · Beetle, Beetle Black Turbo, Beetle WhiteTurbo · Base · 2.0T Turbo
Engines
2.5L 5-cyl 170 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 200 hp

2012 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles on record

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.