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2013 Volkswagen Beetle recalls
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle, filed between November 15, 2012 and December 16, 2020. Each one is below with what is wrong and the free fix.
| Campaign | Filed | Part |
|---|---|---|
| 20V785000 | December 16, 2020 | Air bags: frontal |
| 20E064000 | September 23, 2020 | Service brakes, hydraulic: master cylinder |
| 19V679000 | September 25, 2019 | Unknown or other |
| 19V615000 | August 22, 2019 | Electrical system: control module |
| 14V658000 | October 20, 2014 | Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly |
| 14V656000 | October 20, 2014 | Suspension: rear |
| 12V540000 | November 15, 2012 | Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive |
Air bags: frontal (20V785000)
Filed December 16, 2020
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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: master cylinder (20E064000)
Filed September 23, 2020
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Unknown or other (19V679000)
Filed September 25, 2019
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The fix. 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.
Electrical system: control module (19V615000)
Filed August 22, 2019
What is wrong. 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 transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
What could happen. Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
The 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.
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly (14V658000)
Filed October 20, 2014
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. Vehicle occupants could be injured by falling glass. A sunroof break during vehicle operation also increases the risk of driver distraction and a resulting vehicle crash.
The 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.
Suspension: rear (14V656000)
Filed October 20, 2014
What is wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
What could happen. The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive (12V540000)
Filed November 15, 2012
What is wrong. Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. If the right front passenger seat gets wet, the occupant control module may not properly detect the presence of a child restraint installed in the seat.
What could happen. If the control module does not detect a child seat installed, the airbag will not turn off. If the airbag does not turn off, in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment, a child secured in the child seat may be at an increased risk for serious injury.
The fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the control modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Check that your car is on the list
Most campaigns cover only cars built in a certain date range or at a certain plant, so a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle may or may not be included. The VIN is the only sure test. It is 17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield and on the driver door jamb sticker. Look up your VIN.
How to confirm the repair is free
- Call any authorized Volkswagen dealer service desk and give them the VIN and the campaign number from the list above.
- Ask them to confirm the campaign is open for your car. If it is, the parts and labor are covered.
- If the dealer says the part is not in stock, ask for a written note with the date, and ask about a loaner if the notice says not to drive the car.
- Keep the repair order. It shows the campaign number and proves the work was done.
If you already paid for a repair that a recall later covered, Volkswagen may owe you a refund. Ask the dealer or Volkswagen customer service about reimbursement, and keep your receipts.
Other model years of the Beetle
More: all Volkswagen recalls, check-engine codes, car repair costs.
2013 Volkswagen Beetle recall questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. A campaign can cover only some cars of that model year, so check your VIN to see whether yours is included.
Is a recall repair on a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle free?
Yes. A safety recall repair is free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the car and no matter who owns it now.
How do I know if my 2013 Volkswagen Beetle was already fixed?
Enter the VIN on our recall page. If a campaign is still open, it shows as open. You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN, or look at the service history paperwork for the campaign number.
Source: NHTSA recalls API, checked 2026-10-28. Text is NHTSA's wording of each campaign. New campaigns are added over time. Not a repair shop, estimates only.