Problems · NHTSA complaints
2007 Volkswagen New Beetle problems
Owners filed 56 complaints about the 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle with NHTSA between Apr 2007 and Mar 2022. The most-cited component is air bags (15).
Complaints
56
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags15
- Power train12
- Seat belts9
- Structure6
- Electrical system6
- Visibility4
- Engine3
- Exterior lighting3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Seats2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Steering1
- Service brakes1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
0
2
5
4
2
6
8
7
5
2
7
2
2
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
15 reports
“Cranked the car to move it and the drivers side airbag deployed with a massive amount of force. Did not move the car. As soon as in cranked I heard and felt the explosion of the airbag. Sent pieces of plastic and airbag towards me and shoved me into the door. I have a bruised wrist and my ears are ringing. This a concern from now on. I no longer want to cranked the car as more airbags may be faulty.”
Power train
12 reports
“ON AIRBAGS DRIVER LIGHT FOR AIRBAG IS ON WON'T GO OFF.ON TRANSMISSION IT JERKS THE WHEN IT'S IN 6 IT RUNS FINE.. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS WITH THIS CAR.THANK YOU”
Seat belts
9 reports
“AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER START. CONSTANTLY ON EVEN WHEN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS ARE ENGAGED. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! RECALL NOW. I SEE THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER A DECADE!”
Structure
6 reports
“THE BACK GLASS WINDOW ON THE SOFT TOP CONVERTIBLE IS COMING LOOSE. IF I DRIVE THE GLASS WINDOW WILL DROP AND SHATTER. IF PARKED OUTSIDE, AND IT RAINS, THE ENTIRE BACK SEAT AND TRUNK WILL GET WET.”
Electrical system
6 reports
“MANY OWNERS OF VWS INCLUDING THE BEETLE AND OTHER MODELS HAVE REPORTED COLD SOLDER JOINT ON THE DOOR LOCK SENSORS. THESE COLD SOLDER JOINTS CAUSE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WHERE THE DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK, AND THE WINDOWS WILL ROLL DOWN AND BACK UP. THE WINDOWS FUNCTION IS RELATED TO THE CONVERTIBLE TOP, SO THAT THE WINDOW WILL ROLL DOWN A BIT WHEN THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED SO THAT IT WILL COME OUT FROM THE LIP OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.”
Visibility
4 reports
“FIRST THE BUTTON TO ROLL UP THE PASSENGER WINDOW BROKE, THEN THE BUTTON TO LOCK THE PASSENGER DOOR BROKE, THEN THE SEAT FELL APART FOR NOT REASON AND WOULD NOT CLIP DOWN, THEN THE PLASTIC PANELS INSIDE THE DOOR CRACK AND ARE FALLING OFF. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.