4.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,748 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Volkswagen Beetle Owner Comments

problem #10

Nov 082022

Beetle

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a diesel leak which Volkswagen did not repair (after I towed it there and told them about it in writing) and is not causing a light in the dash however, when plugging in an ODBEleven, several codes are generated and one is related to a low fuel pressure sensor. I also watched the fuel line dripping. VW claims that it is unreasonable to ask them to pay what I already paid to have the car fixed (diagnostics, rental, tow). It was reasonable for me to buy it and pay for all that though apparently. With a diesel leak, it's unsafe to drive so I currently have a piece of metal outside that I'm only halfway through paying on. This indeed is a TDI 2.0L they sold me 3 years ago.

- Duncan, OK, USA

problem #9

Jan 152022

Beetle

  • miles
While driving on the interstate my 2013 VW Beetle showed a stability malfunction warning then lost power and would not accelerate. I coasted to the shoulder and shut the vehicle off. It crank back up and I drove it home. Two months ago, I had the same issue with the vehicle losing power after the engine light illuminated several times before I could get the car into the VW dealership for repair. After a costly emmission valve and hose replacement the engine light didn-??t come back on and the care hasn-??t lost power until yesterday. My safety was at risk due to a lack of power and had not been able to coast to the shoulder safely, I could have been plowed into the rear of my car by a semi that was fast approaching. This is a vehicle that I purchased for my teenaged daughter and I shudder to think of an inexperienced driver in this situation. I have read lots of post from others who have had this problem with VW. Taking the car back to the dealership tomorrow and praying that I won-??t be told that the lose of power is a safety feature that VW has like I was told previously. Safety feature is suppose to prevent an accident not put drivers in a sitution that is potentially fatal.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #8

Nov 102021

Beetle

  • miles
Engine stalled and made jerking movements when coming to a stop and continued. Per mechanic, engine had metal contaminants and cannot be repaired. Needs new engine. Check engine light did not come on until after malfunction. Could have occurred on roadway which would have been hazard to driver and others. Second opinion from another mechanic obtained and confirmed. Not inspected by manufacturer. Oil was changed at VW dealership week before malfunction. No dealership available where malfunction occurred.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #7

Mar 122021

Beetle

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission control module communication errors (P0864) caused vehicle to shut down at high speed (55mph) killing power steering and ABS system on a curvy country road.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #6

Jun 142016

Beetle

  • miles
Engine smoking defective fuel filter O-ring gaskets causing fuel leaks--VW dealers not honoring warranty. Between April 2015 - July 2016, VW dealers have replaced this fuel gasket five times, repeatedly charging me for the defective part and unneeded filters. I saved one of the defective gaskets and have been to two different VW dealerships, graham in sioux falls South Dakota and jensen in sioux city Iowa. The engine smokes, I find the fuel leak, take it to the nearest dealer, who diagnose the problem before even opening the hood, because "the problem is so common." I contacted the VW regional service manager, tamar T., and VW customer care (reference # 160555387) and was advised that replacing a fuel gasket five times in just over a year is a regular "maintenance item". attached are a photo of the defective gasket, response from VW customer service and my maintenance receipts/log.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #5

Mar 162016

Beetle

  • 55,368 miles
April 2015 engine light came on. Secondary air injection hose was bad. March 2016 engine light came on again. Secondary air injection pump needed to be replaced. There was no issues as far as the performance of the car. Car was stationary when the engine light came on both times.

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #4

Jun 192015

Beetle

  • 49,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving 60 mph in rush hour 6/19/15 & suddenly eng lights go on & car stalled in middle of traffic! I was scared I was going to be rear ended & killed. Put flashers on called 911. Police parked behind me while I waited for tow truck. Officer asked to try & start to see if I could get to side of road. I was able to start it, but only drive a few feet before stuttered & died again. Had it towed to tynans VW, where it was purchased & reg maintained. Next day VW verified engine light was on when they started. However, they claim it went off when they drove a few miles. Code indicated issue related to fuel system, however they werent able to find anything wrong with car. They kept car a few days, drove it 90 miles w/ no issues. I contacted VW Corp & reported incident & explained dealer cant figure out whats wrong. I explained im not comfortable driving car until they can determine why my car stalled. They said it was likely debris in gas that couldve caused fuel not to flow properly - really" they wanted to know what brand of gas I used - conoco - brand name. This is serious! my car stalled for a reason, something failed. I realize cars breakdown, I have no problem, as long as the issue is identified & fixed. I do have a problem, however, w/VW handing car back to me not knowing why it happened. Told to bring it back if it happens again. If it happens again, I may not be so lucky. What if this happened on mountain pass? in the snow? or in middle of a busy intersection? research, you will find other fuel issues & stalling complaints, & recalls for other VW cars tiguan, passat etc. No recall for fuel/stalling issues on Beetle..yet.I do not want myself or anyone else to become a statistic before VW identifies the problem. GM failed to recall the Chevy cobalt. They knew about issue for 10 yrs before recalling, after 13 people died. Is that what youre waiting for VW"

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #3

Jun 272015

Beetle

  • 23,000 miles
We were driving home in our 2013 Volkswagen Beetle convertible when the engine died causing a lack of steering control. This is actually the second time this has happened with this vehicle. My wife is pregnant and I have lost confidence in this car being able to move my family around safely. I have searched online and others have had similar issues. The dealers are not able to "duplicate" the issue so they send you away with an unsafe vehicle. Hopefully this does not wind up being a situation similar to GM where people have to lose their lives before the issues are corrected.

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #2

Sep 032014

Beetle

  • 26,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle jerked and stalled without warning. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #1

Mar 142014

Beetle 4-cyl

  • 4,113 miles
Car would stall and abruptly stop when operating and all engine and electrical functions and safety features would turn off and not work (e.g., engine, assisted brakes, air bags, horn, running lights, brake lights, hazard lights, entire dashboard would not work). About 10 minutes later, the car would power up again and run. The problem was intermittent (it happened again) and neither the manufacturer nor dealer could find the cause. The owner refused to drive it anymore unless they found the cause because the abrupt stopping could be catastrophic on the highway. The current position of the manufacturer and dealer is that it never happened. Another case is reported here where the same car abruptly stopped three times and the manufacturer and dealer could not find the cause.

- Westport, CT, USA

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