Recall 12V331 affects 83 2012 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles with noncompliant summer tires. Tire replacement is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 83 2012 Beetle vehicles because a factory error installed summer performance tires that do not meet federal tire and rim standards. Those tires have different grip and performance characteristics, and an unaware owner faces increased crash risk; the Volkswagen dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The tires on a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle carry the vehicle, grip the road, and help the suspension and brakes do their jobs. Summer tires are built for warm-weather traction, with tread and rubber designed for that use. On a Beetle, the tire also has to match the rim and meet the federal rules for light-vehicle tires.
In this recall, certain Beetles were equipped with summer tires that do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 110 and 139. Those standards cover tire selection, rim fit, and new pneumatic tires for light vehicles. The issue is a compliance problem with the tire equipment, so the tire cannot be treated as meeting the required federal standard for that vehicle.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to see a dashboard light, hear a noise, or feel a clear change that confirms the tire is noncompliant before the problem matters.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Volkswagen Beetle | tire |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 83 |
Not every 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Summer performance tires have different grip and handling characteristics, and this tire compliance issue increases the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously until the tires are replaced, and confirm that the dealer installs compliant replacement tires. Repair will be free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask whether the free tire replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 12V331 when you call, and ask whether Volkswagen has an owner notice tied to your VIN.
- Schedule the free tire replacement that removes the noncompliant summer tires.
- Drive with extra caution until the tires are replaced, especially in cold or wet conditions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician checks whether the Beetle has the summer tires covered by recall 12V331 and replaces any noncompliant tires. Volkswagen's filing says the safety recall began on September 12, 2012. The dealer repair is free once available, with replacement tires and labor covered under the recall. Use the campaign number when you call the Volkswagen service desk.
Timeline
| July 16, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 12, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V331?
Recall 12V331 covers 83 2012 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles equipped with summer tires that do not comply with federal tire and rim safety standards. The tires have different grip and performance characteristics, which can increase crash risk. Volkswagen will replace the affected tires for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Beetle is included in recall 12V331. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the tire replacement. Reference recall number 12V331 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recall defects at no cost, and Volkswagen will replace the noncompliant tires free of charge at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Is it safe to drive my 2012 Volkswagen Beetle?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety issue is that the vehicle was built with summer performance tires that have different grip and performance characteristics, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free tire replacement with a Volkswagen dealer.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Beetle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Beetle is included, then contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall number 12V331.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V331000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-822-8987 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V331 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V331000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →