Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Volkswagen Beetle owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) and was repaired; however, approximately 2 years later the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the passenger seat air bag sensor failed to recognize when an occupant was seated in the seat. The dealer stated that the seat needed to be replaced because the air bag sensor was integrated into the seat cushion. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
This is a dangerous issue but VW is doing nothing but telling us, as required. So, what are we supposed to do? Drive an unsafe car or wait indefinitely for VW to get around to having a remedy? Neither seems reasonable nor acceptable. It's supposedly related to humidity and/or heat, and my car has lived most of its life in Hawaii and Arizona, so ... How can they just say, "Your car has a safety defect that may kill you, but we aren't prepared to do anything about it" and nothing else? Shouldn't they owe us all at least a rental until the car can be made safe? Furthermore, in the recall notice they sent today, dated February 2023, despite the recall actually being from 1/5/23, they say in the same paragraph, "Don't call the dealer, they can't help" and "As always, call the dealer for help." What? …
I have been trying to get the recall fixed since I purchased my vehicle in July 2023. For nearly two years, I have received repeated letters from Volkswagen urging me to have the recall addressed. However, despite calling every two months to schedule an appointment, I am always told that the part is unavailable and that they have no estimated date for its arrival. I'm continually advised to call back in another two months. Last month, after calling dealerships more than ten times since purchasing the vehicle, I contacted VW Customer Service directly. They referred me to the Macon dealership, assuring me that they would assist in booking an appointment. Unfortunately, after speaking with Macon, I was once again told to call back-this time in October-when they might receive the necessary part. …
My car is subject to the Takata Air Bag recall. Due to the age of the vehicle, and the hot climate where I live (California), I am in fear for my safety especially with summer around the corner. "The Old Farmer's Almanac forecasts a "scorcher" with hotter-than-normal temperatures across most of the U.S., including California." Originally, I had a service appointment for 2024 but there was a shortage of parts. I showed up for my next appointment 6/4/25 to have the service done and was told that the parts are on back order nationally until at least September. Due to the nature of my situation, my case was escalated to their RCM where I was told that nothing could be done. I asked about a loaner vehicle or a rental reimbursement until the parts arrive and they told me it was not possible. I find this to be extremely unreasonable given the severity of the recall. …
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer was not contacted regarding the recall remedy or to confirm parts availability per the recall letter received informing the contact not to notify a dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue as the number provided on the recall notice was unreachable. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that the contact had to pay for an additional repair that was preventing the dealer from completing the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and determined that the contact had to pay out of pocket for the original recall repair to be performed. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and was unable to confirm when parts would become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Beetle and Beetle Convertibles 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Airbag complaints in other Beetle years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the air bags of the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle, 55% of the model year's 99 complaints. The component named most often is passenger side frontal › cushion (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Volkswagen Beetle airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-945 (inflator module, Dec 21, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Volkswagen Beetle airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 4,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.