Most common 2017 Volkswagen Beetle problems
Share of the 17 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Beetle complaints by model year
Best Beetle years: 2017, 2018, 2009. Years to avoid: 2004, 2005, 2003, 2000, 2001. Compare all years →
2017 Volkswagen Beetle recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to overload the vehicle.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
What 2017 Volkswagen Beetle owners say
Air bags
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was blinking. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called two other local dealers: KarMART Maui-Kahului (411 Huku Lii Pl, Kihei, HI 96753), and Tony Volkswagen (94-1299 Ka Uka Blvd, Waipahu, HI 96797). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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. The manufacturer offered to assist with shipping, but the shipper declined to ship the vehicle with a recall and the warning light being illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 43,800. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Weather conditions: rain. After relatively short drive garaged vehicle and turned engine off. Very noticeable burning odor appears to come from engine compartment. Loud motor noise coming from rear area (electrical motor noise not engine/fan noise) which continued for approximately thirty minutes. I am aware of the fuel pump running for a second or two when I first open the drivers door under normal conditions. This is a quiet hum, hardly noticeable, and not an issue. The noise addressed above is quite loud and abnormal ( almost like a bearing running dry). Week later ' same weather conditions ' rain. Ran vehicle on short shopping trip and, again, upon garaging: same symptoms. Took vehicle to authorized vw dealership. Their analysis: unable to find anything wrong. Vehicle was dry at the time and understand they could not fix anything that does not occur while they are checking. …
2017 Volkswagen Beetle engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 24 / 33 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 23 / 29 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle a good car?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Beetle rates better than average: 80% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Beetle at the same age. It is one of the best Beetle years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle?
The air bags — 8 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (3) and suspension (1).
How many recalls does the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle, the most recent from October 30, 2024 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Beetle?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2018 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004, 2005, 2003, 2000 and 2001. See the full Volkswagen Beetle years comparison.
At what mileage do 2017 Volkswagen Beetle problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 71% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.