1974 Volkswagen Beetle recalls & complaints

4 owner complaints on file. Recall list must be checked by VIN (see below).

0recalls

0high risk

0stop-driving

4complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

Recalls: check by VIN

NHTSA files recalls for the Volkswagen Beetle under individual trim or body names rather than "Beetle", so we can't match them automatically. Enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the definitive list. The owner complaints below are matched correctly.

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

4complaints

1crashes

0fires

1injuries

1deaths

Most complained-about parts: Steering (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Unknown Or Other (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (4)

05/05/2014 · Steering
IN A SWEEPING LEFT TURN ON HWY 58, THE STEERING LOCK. I WENT ACROSS THE ON COMING LANE, INTO A BIG PULLOUT AND STOPPED ABOUT 3 FEET FROM A LARGE TREE. I CHECK WITH THE DEALER ABOUT GETTING A NEW SHAFT WITH NEW U JOINTS. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD A SUPER BUG THAT WAS IN A COLLISION THAT NEEDED THE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED, (BAD U JOINT). I WENT AND GOT ANOTH…

05/21/2004 · Seat belts · crash
FATALITY DUE TO HEAD ON COLLISION. *MR THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A 1997 FORD F150. THE BELT APPEARED TO BE OPERATIONAL PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE WEBBING WAS FRAYED AND SEPARATED 82 INCHES FROM THE ANCHOR END. *SC *JB

01/17/2001 · Suspension
HE WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN AND THE VEHICLE WAS HITTED AND THE BRAKES DIDN'T HOLD

02/16/1998 · Unknown Or Other
REQUESTING INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO OBTAINING LETTER OF CONFORMITY TO BRING 1974 VW BEETLE INTO US FROM GERMANY.