Model year guide

2014 Volkswagen Beetle

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 60 on record.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2014 Volkswagen Beetle at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints54
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$13,198

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

2014 Volkswagen Beetle recalls 6

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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines NHTSA Campaign #14V182000 · 15/04/2014

Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.

Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly NHTSA Campaign #14V658000 · 20/10/2014

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Beetle vehicles manufactured June 13, 2013, to July 3, 2014. The glass sunroofs in the affected vehicles may break when the vehicles are operated over a hard road surface or strike a pothole.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60B9.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail NHTSA Campaign #15V028000 · 23/01/2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A seali…

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall…

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.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 54 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.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
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.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,556

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

What's a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle worth?

Low
$10,500
Typical price
$13,198
High
$18,200

From 60 comparable 2014 Volkswagen Beetle listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,780
Fuel only$12,780
Per mile$0.17

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.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle trims & engines on record

Trims
2.5L PZEV · 1.8T · R-Line PZEV · 2.5L · 2.0L TDI · 4c 1.8t · R-Line · 2.5, TDI
Engines
2.5L 5-cyl 170 hp · 1.8L 4-cyl 170 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 210 hp · 1.9L 4-cyl 210 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 140 hp

2014 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Beetle model years

2014 Volkswagen Beetle — frequently asked questions

Does the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2014 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 2014 Volkswagen Beetle?

Based on 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, service brakes, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle at about 27 mpg combined (24 city / 33 highway).

How much is a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle worth?

Comparable 2014 Volkswagen Beetle listings run roughly $10,500–$18,200, typically around $13,198 (from 60 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.