Model year guide

2015 Volkswagen Beetle

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 6 on record.

2015 Volkswagen Beetle — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2015 Volkswagen Beetle at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints99
Combined29 mpg
Typical price$9,880

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

2015 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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #15V705000 · 26/10/2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.

Fix: Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

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…

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.

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…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #22V945000 · 21/12/2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Beetle and Beetle Convertibles 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: Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69EM.

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.

2015 Volkswagen Beetle common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 99 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.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
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.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2015 Volkswagen Beetle MPG & running costs

Combined29 mpg
City26 mpg
Highway34 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,517

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

What's a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle worth?

Low
$7,988
Typical price
$9,880
High
$14,500

From 6 comparable 2015 Volkswagen Beetle listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,585
Fuel only$12,585
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.

2015 Volkswagen Beetle trims & engines on record

Trims
1.8T Classic
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl 170 hp

2015 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Beetle model years

2015 Volkswagen Beetle — frequently asked questions

Does the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2015 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 2015 Volkswagen Beetle?

Based on 99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, steering, exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle at about 29 mpg combined (26 city / 34 highway).

How much is a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle worth?

Comparable 2015 Volkswagen Beetle listings run roughly $7,988–$14,500, typically around $9,880 (from 6 vehicles).

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