Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train (24.2% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Power Train complaints here are 4.0× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 30 · 24.2% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 12 · 9.7% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 11 · 8.9% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 · 7.3% | Recalled | Recall 07V063000 |
| Air Bags | 9 · 7.3% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 7 · 5.6% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 124 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 10V621000 · 2010 · reported 12/10/2010
IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06V043000 · 2006 · reported 02/09/2006
A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO FITMENT OF IMPROPERLY SIZED REPLACEMENT TIRES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07V063000 · 2007 · reported 02/20/2007
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E023000 · 2007 · reported 03/29/2007
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR…”NHTSA complaint 11018840 — filed 08/22/2017 · POWER TRAIN
“HARD SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND, AND SECOND TO THIRD AND WHEN CAR DOWNSHIFTS THRU 1-2 2-3 JUST HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACED BY DEALER. JUST…”NHTSA complaint 11005377 — filed 07/14/2017 · POWER TRAIN
“MY 2006 VW BEETLE ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT, HAS RECEIVED REGULAR MAINTENANCE, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THIS MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN IS PREMATURE FOR…”NHTSA complaint 11002911 — filed 07/03/2017 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 30 of 124 NHTSA complaints (24.2%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (12), electrical system (11), exterior lighting (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
124 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10V621000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
