Skip to main content
CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

5

5 current

Combined

9.7L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$3,007

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2021017 · manufacturer campaign 69BC

21 January 2021

Transport Canada lists: Beetle 2012–2014

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.

Why it matters

If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the driver-front airbag . Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

6,464 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2019423 · manufacturer campaign 37M2

22 August 2019

Transport Canada lists: Beetle 2012–2018 · Golf 2015–2019 · Gti 2015–2019 · Jetta 2011–2017

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, a build-up of silicate on the shift lever switch could cause the transmission to detect that it is in the Park position when it isn't. This could allow the ignition key to be removed when the transmission is not in the Park position. If the parking brake is not applied, this could allow the car to roll away.

Why it matters

If the transmission position is not displayed correctly, a user may not know that the vehicle is not in the PARK position. If the parking brake is not applied, this could create a risk of a vehicle roll-away and increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have a new shift lever micro switch and control unit installed.

117,306 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Suspension

Transport Canada recall 2014464 · manufacturer campaign 42G8

20 October 2014

Transport Canada lists: Beetle 2012–2013 · Jetta 2011–2013

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, if the rear axle trailing arms are damaged in a rear or side-rear impact crash and a repair facility does not correctly diagnose or replace damaged rear axle components, rear trailing arm durability could be reduced, which could result in a sudden fracture of the trailing arm. This could lead to a loss of vehicle control, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on both rear axle trailing arms. The inlay is designed to help prevent the sudden loss of vehicle control should a rear axle trailing arm fracture occur if undiagnosed/unrepaired damage exists from a previous rear or side-rear impact/crash.

87,887 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2012389

15 November 2012

Transport Canada lists: Beetle 2012–2013

What is wrong

Certain vehicles with leather sport seats may be equipped with an incorrectly coded Passenger Occupant Detection System Control Module in the front passenger location. If the seat gets wet, the control module may not properly detect a child car seat secured on the front passenger seat, and the front passenger airbag will not be deactivated as expected. In this case, the airbag light will remain off indicating that the passenger airbag is active. If, despite safety warnings and provincial regulations, a child was placed in a child car seat secured in the passenger front position, the active airbag could deploy in a crash causing potential injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the affected modules.

320 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety TC

Tires

Transport Canada recall 2012222 · manufacturer campaign 44K8/W4

20 July 2012

Transport Canada lists: Beetle 2012

What is wrong

Certain vehicles were equipped with summer tires that fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 109 - Passenger Car Tires, and CMVSS 110 – Tire Selection and Rims. Improper tires may unwittingly be overloaded and/or under-inflated, which could increase the risk of a vehicle crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the tires.

34 vehicles affected in CanadaCarCompliance Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Subcompact
In its class
More efficient than 77% of 103 2012 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
223 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2012 Volkswagen Beetle and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

Only when a new recall lands. Unsubscribe in one click.

Common questions

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 5 recalls on record for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle get?
NRCan rates the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle at 9.7 L/100 km combined, emitting 223 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 4 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $3,007 in fuel, producing roughly 4,481 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.