2009 Volkswagen Beetle
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2009 Volkswagen Beetle. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle. Newest first.
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.…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If chafing occurs, there IS the potential for a fuel leak to develop. fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the underhood fuel line. additionally, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or inspect the position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the correct position. this service will be performed free of charge. the safety recall IS expected to begin on or before january 31, 2011. owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Owner complaints
33 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seats
Heated seat is so hot it burned holes in the seat and my pants.
- Exterior lighting
Headlamps do not stay illuminated regardless of speed. This issue occurs each time the car is used. This is a hazard when driving in low light conditions as others cannot see the vehicle and lack of lighting impairs ones ability to see the road. This issue has not been investigated by a service…
Headlamps do not stay illuminated regardless of speed. This issue occurs each time the car is used. This is a hazard when driving in low light conditions as others cannot see the vehicle and lack of lighting impairs ones ability to see the road. This issue has not been investigated by a service center. There are no warning indicators that the lights are not functioning. The issue was present when the used vehicle was purchased in 2020.
- Air bags
The airbag warning light is constantly lit up on the dashboard. It has been determined that it is a malfunction of the airbag control module and can’t be reset. There has been a recall on previous models of the car, and it should be extended to this model’s year. It poses a risk to safety as if…
The airbag warning light is constantly lit up on the dashboard. It has been determined that it is a malfunction of the airbag control module and can’t be reset. There has been a recall on previous models of the car, and it should be extended to this model’s year. It poses a risk to safety as if there were to be an issue with the airbags where the light would warn me, I wouldn’t know because the light is already on and it would be impossible to determine if there was a problem. If there is an airbag issue, in case of an accident it would be a huge safety risk. Since this part has already been recalled previously, there is no reason the recall shouldn’t be extended.
- Exterior lighting
headlamp connecters fail to connect at this time passenger side headlamp is not working, headlamp assy, fall out of their buckets in fenders.
- Unknown or other
At ~50K miles the front driver's side window regulator stopped working. Determined it was the cable starting to shed strands that would bind the motor. Replaced cables and trimmed out regulator which took me a weekend to complete the job. Now at ~63K miles the driver side rear window regulator IS…
At ~50K miles the front driver's side window regulator stopped working. Determined it was the cable starting to shed strands that would bind the motor. Replaced cables and trimmed out regulator which took me a weekend to complete the job. Now at ~63K miles the driver side rear window regulator IS stuck half way closed and assuming it's the same issue with a poor designed cable system that routinely fails. Very annoying with cable systems not only used for the window regulators but for the retractable convertible top and door latches. Needs to be recalled immediately.
- Exterior lighting
Just purchase a used 2009 VW convertible beetle for our 16 year old daughter. This IS her dream car and so excited. The driver's side headlight fell out while driving on the highway on our way home from the car lot. The entire housing unit just gone. We purchased the car as IS, so we ordered 2…
Just purchase a used 2009 VW convertible beetle for our 16 year old daughter. This IS her dream car and so excited. The driver's side headlight fell out while driving on the highway on our way home from the car lot. The entire housing unit just gone. We purchased the car as IS, so we ordered 2 new headlights housing units and had them installed yesterday. Today, the first time driving since getting back from shop, the passenger head light housing fell out while driving on a major thoroughfare only 3 miles from leaving our house crashing all over the road behind us where other vehicles had to swerve out of the way. we did not even hit a bump. This IS a major safety problem for anyone and especially a new teen driver. It IS not safe! Our mechanic told us it was a known problem. Researching several threads have concurred his statement of lights falling out or connections frequently coming loose so the lights go out at the slightest bump while driving. VW beetle lights are garbage. So very disappointing VW has not issued a recall on the headlight issues for the more safety concern as well as the continuous expense owners incur having to replace entire units, or bulbs, or connections and the labor costs that go along with it. this IS ridiculous, we've had the car a week and have already spent $500 replacing lights and the labor and then the dang thing falls out again. I certainly don't feel my daughter IS safe if the headlights fall out every time she drives it. *tr
- Exterior lighting
The headlights are frequently out. They become disconnected easily and then don't work. I have gone in multiple times to get them fixed and I am always told it IS a problem with the model. My headlight even fell out when I was driving once! The bulbs seem to dies quickly as a result and I have spent a lot of time and money trying to fix them.
- Exterior lighting
The exterior headlights will quit working after hitting bumps in the road. The headlight (driver and passenger have this issue) will loosen from the pin mechanism inside the car. I replaced bulbs 3 times before realizing the bulbs were fine and it was a design flaw. The "hook" that turns and holds…
The exterior headlights will quit working after hitting bumps in the road. The headlight (driver and passenger have this issue) will loosen from the pin mechanism inside the car. I replaced bulbs 3 times before realizing the bulbs were fine and it was a design flaw. The "hook" that turns and holds the headlight tight will jar and come loose when the car hits a bump in the road. Driving home last week and my passenger side light goes out while driving down the interstate. Every morning I have to push the headlights back into turn the nut to secure the light. By the time I get to work at least one of the headlights have gone out again. This IS dangerous. This has been happening for over 2 years.
- Air bags
Air bag light came on last spring took it dealership next day and they charged me 110 to tell me my air bag light was on 900 to have faulty air bag control module replaced.. I am waiting on a recall but wanted to report the issue. I started the vehicle and that's when the light came on
- Unknown or other
The windows on this model of vm beetle IS defective I researched it and found many complaints that are documented as an issue with the vehicle.
- Steering
The steering column locks and the key will not turn in the ignition to start the vehicle sometimes. After a cursory google search and speaking with the dealership mechanic, it appears this IS a common problem for VW beetles and jettas. It IS highly unsafe to have a car with an unreliable ignition…
The steering column locks and the key will not turn in the ignition to start the vehicle sometimes. After a cursory google search and speaking with the dealership mechanic, it appears this IS a common problem for VW beetles and jettas. It IS highly unsafe to have a car with an unreliable ignition, particularly when traveling alone at night. VW has placed an extended warranty and acknowledged a faulty design for the 2012-2013 beetles, but nothing has been done to address the design flaw in earlier models to my knowledge.
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Engine · Fuel/propulsion system
Engine stallig usually when turning, after a stop, when going slow... We have tried to fix this issue by taking the car to mechanics and they can't rule out a solution because it happens randomly and it seems to be when the car has been warmed up. No check engine light. Very scary because there's…
Engine stallig usually when turning, after a stop, when going slow... We have tried to fix this issue by taking the car to mechanics and they can't rule out a solution because it happens randomly and it seems to be when the car has been warmed up. No check engine light. Very scary because there's loss of steering wheel power and it happens intermittently. We have changed numerous things and it keeps giving us this issue. Sometimes it idles rough. Sometimes the needle where the rpms are drops but comes back up. We have exhausted our options and we can't find a solution
- Electrical system
A year ago I had the drivers side window fixed, and since then, the window has been faulty. I own a convertible, so the windows are supposed to go down half an inch and mine does not. Most times when I close the door, the window IS over the top of the car, leaving a crack between the window and my…
A year ago I had the drivers side window fixed, and since then, the window has been faulty. I own a convertible, so the windows are supposed to go down half an inch and mine does not. Most times when I close the door, the window IS over the top of the car, leaving a crack between the window and my car door. Last night, july 30TH of 2017, I had rolled down my back window while idle and heard something compareable to a fork in a garbage disposal. I immediately stopped rolling the window down because I knew it would not come back up, seeing as I had just fixed this problem less than a year ago with the front window when I was driving and the same exact thing happened and my car was in the shop for a week and a half. I proceeded to look online to look for a recall with no luck. Although I did find that I am not the only one who has had this issue. Not only IS this fix quite costly, but it's a safety hazard. Not to mention that it's not due to the carelessness of the owner, but simply fault of the manufacturer. I proceeded to call VW with no luck but to be directed here to you. I'm asking for a recall to be put into action. Thank you.
- Unknown or other
Three out of four windows will not work. this IS a convertible.
- Electrical system
My 2009 volkswagen beetle windows stopped working. First IS was on the two back passenger window. Several months later the driver window failed to work. A few months later, the front passenger window stopped working. Each time the dealership reported that it was the regulator that needed replacing. I believe this IS a manufacturer defect and that VW should pay for these repairs. Each window cost 500 to 600 dollars.
- Structure › Body
All 4 widow regulators and/or cables have failed, requiring replacement. without fixing, the windows will not go up and down. The cost will exceed $1000.
- Engine · Fuel/propulsion system
After a business trip into austin my vehicle started jerking when I would brake or accelerate. At first I thought it was nothing just my car acting different because the the immediate change in speed going from 85 to about 40 to exit off the interstate. On the way to houston there was no trouble…
After a business trip into austin my vehicle started jerking when I would brake or accelerate. At first I thought it was nothing just my car acting different because the the immediate change in speed going from 85 to about 40 to exit off the interstate. On the way to houston there was no trouble until the next day. The following evening being my first time driving it all day, I was pulling out of my neighborhood and when trying to stop at a stop sign my vehicle jerked 4 or 5 times then stopped when the wheel locked up and the battery and engine light came on as I was at a stop sign. I turned off my car then turned it back on and the wheel was unlocked and the battery light was off, but the engine light was still on. I proceeded to drive it because I wanted to see if it would do it again and it didn't, but I still refuse to drive it until I know what's wrong.
- Seat belts
Driver and passanger seat belt catches and later releases resulting in a loose seatbelt. On the lower portion of the seat belt where it attatches to the vehicle itself IS allowed to slide back and forth according to the seats adjustments. However, on the back side of the of the sliding bar…
Driver and passanger seat belt catches and later releases resulting in a loose seatbelt. On the lower portion of the seat belt where it attatches to the vehicle itself IS allowed to slide back and forth according to the seats adjustments. However, on the back side of the of the sliding bar responsible to hold the belt has a 90 degree notch where the bar attaches to the frame. When the user uses restrains themself more often then not the belt catches in this notch area. Not allowing the belt to properly slide forward into the users currents position. Thus during some point of driving the vehicle the belt frees itselfs from the back 90 degree portions of the bar sliding forward. This results in a lose belt.
- Air bags · Vehicle speed control
While slowly approaching a parking space in a shopping center my 2009 VW beetle suddenly accelerated, jumping over the curb and sidewalk, and crashing into the side of the building. it then rebounded about 6-8 feet. the passenger side airbag deployed but the driver side airbag didn't.
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the air bag light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the passeger side air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 28,792.
- Fuel/propulsion system
Vehicle has gas fume odor accumulating while inside garage and inside vehicle for over one year. took to dealer on february 2015 who did a 27 point inspection of the vehicle but still has gas odor. *tr
- Exterior lighting
VW has known issues with their headlights. They easily disconnect from the wiring harness (plugs do not have a safety measure to keep them attached to each other). I was driving down the highway last night and all of my lights went out. if it had not been for other cars coming I would have been unable to pull to the side of the road due to no lighting. *tr
- Visibility
TL* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the drivers side window failed to operate and close the window. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred on three occasions. The vehicle was taken to a diagnostic testing, who replaced the motor regulator. However, the remedy repair failed. the manufacturer was notified of this failure. the approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
- Power train · Steering
While driving around a corner the battery indicator light came on, power steering went out and no acceleration. It did not appear that the engine stalled. The light went out and the power steering and acceleration came right back without touching the ignition key. My daughter almost lost control of the vehicle. No other dash warning lights came on other than the battery indicator. This car IS a deathtrap! *tr
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the air bag sensors needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11010024Lack of paint under roof
- 11010022Engine Oil Standards
- 11010021Additional reporting
- 11010011Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available
- 11008861Fluid requirements
- 11008858A list of engine oil that meet Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
- 11008857How to perform the engine oil consumption measurement
- 11008856Checking Engine Oil and correctly reading dip stick
- 11008853How to manage software versions using VW diagnostic Tool
- 11008852Recommended Gasoline Quality
- 11008851Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 11008850Fuel additive to help with misfire faults
- 11008846Wind & Water Leak Checking
- 11007398Battery testing
- 11007393Engine Oil Standards
- 11005825Engine oil quality standards
- 11005820Engine Assembly Tip
- 11005819Engine Replacement Tip
- 11002875Engine oil quality standards
- 11001508Engine oil quality standards
- 10253483Engine Exhaust Flap Limited Warranty Extension
- 10253439Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Program ? Gasoline Engines (Except Routan) - REVISED
- 10253262VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10253215Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253214Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253213Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253205Wiper Blade Inspection for Proper Warranty Coding
- 10253204Customer States Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear
- 10253203Wiper Blade Inspection for Proper Warranty Coding
- 10253180Antenna Diagnosis Overview
- 10253177Satellite Radio Overview
- 10252942Damage to Data Link Connector (DLC) from Aftermarket Devices (Cannot Communicate with Vehicle OBD System)
- 10252937Vehicles equipped with Immobilizer 4 (Download) ? Adapting Keys after Vehicle Lock Set Replacement
- 10252900GPS Antenna Concerns
- 10252225Vehicles Equipped with Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone ? Pairing of Android Phones
- 10252220All Vehicles with Bluetooth Phone Kit Installed ? Streaming Audio from Phone to Radio
- 10252202New Beetle-Pollen Filter Removal
- 10250798VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10250695Carefree Maintenance Coverage for Interim Oil Changes for Certain 2009 ? 2015 MY Volkswagen TDI Clean Diesel Engine Vehicles Registered in the State of Minnesota Only (US Dealers
- 10249418VW Engine oil quality standards
Every Volkswagen Beetle model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.