Reliability
Volkswagen

Beetle (2010)

2010 · Compact · 1 engine
29 NHTSA Complaints
3 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
0 Crash Reports
View all 3 generations of the Volkswagen Beetle → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

Not rated

NHTSA's production counts do not cover this model well enough to compare it with similar vehicles. NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on file for it, listed below.

Complaints by Engine Code

EA855 BGP/BGQ

2.5L 5-cyl / 150 hp
20 complaints 20.0 per year Gasoline
View details
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Volkswagen Beetle Unidentified Engine

7 complaints 7.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
1
transmission
1
steering
1
electrical
1
brakes
1

1.9-I4-Diesel

1.9L 4-cyl / 90 hp
1 complaint 1.0 per year Diesel
View details

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Volkswagen Beetle, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical System: 5 owner complaints
Brakes: 5 owner complaints

Recalls (3)

19V679000Sep 25, 2019serious
Unknown Or Other

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 period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

11V031000Jan 21, 2011cosmetic
Seats

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NEW BEETLE AND NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE BARRIER TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2010.

10V621000Dec 10, 2010serious
Fuel System

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

Alternatives in Compact

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2010-2010 Volkswagen Beetle complaints?

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010-2010 Volkswagen Beetle. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the brakes and the transmission.

Is the 2010-2010 Volkswagen Beetle a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010-2010 Volkswagen Beetle. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010-2010 Volkswagen Beetle have?

NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on file for the 2010-2010 Volkswagen Beetle as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2010-2010 Volkswagen Beetle?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2010-2010 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen Beetle?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the brakes and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Beetle have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2010 Volkswagen Beetle. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 29 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: low. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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