Trim Report

Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T SEL2012

Includes:BEETLE|1.8T SEL
$6,700
Starting From
13
Active Listings
Avg Mileage

Sourced from 13 dealer listings in the latest market snapshot as of

Min $6,700
Max $28,500
From $6,700
Fresh

2012 Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T SEL Pricing

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Where to Find Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T SEL

Location data for all 2012 Volkswagen Beetle trims combined

37States

The biggest cluster of inventory is in California (9%), but the remaining listings are spread across 36 other states nationwide.

Volkswagen Beetle Safety & Reliability

Safety data for all 2012 Volkswagen Beetle trims

Moderate

With 3 recalls and 65 complaints, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle rates as moderate on the safety concern scale. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup tool before signing.

3
Recalls
65
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
Recall Findings
12V5400002012-15-11
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. If the right front passenger seat gets wet, the occupant control module may not properly detect the presence of a child restraint installed in the seat.

If the control module does not detect a child seat installed, the airbag will not turn off. If the airbag does not turn off, in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment, a child secured in the child seat may be at an increased risk for serious injury.

View at NHTSA
12V3310002012-16-07
TIRES

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BEETLE VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES."

DUE TO AN ERROR AT THE FACTORY, THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SUMMER TIRES THAT ARE POSSIBLY NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS 110 "TIRE SELECTION & RIMS" AND 139 "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES." IN ADDITION, CUSTOMERS MAY BE UNAWARE THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES. SUMMER TIRES HAVE DIFFERENT GRIP AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS. THESE ISSUES MAY LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH.

View at NHTSA
20V7850002020-16-12
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle's biggest weak point? AIR BAGS. It leads 65 total complaints spanning 1 years. Budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially in that area.

01Air Bags12
02Visibility/wiper7
03Unknown Or Other5
04Electrical System,visibility5
05Engine4
65 total across 1 model years (2012–2012)Full data at NHTSA.gov
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Volkswagen Beetle Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy data for all 2012 Volkswagen Beetle trims

24–25mpg combined
·
21-22city
·
29-31hwy
·
$2,700-$3,400/yr

Fuel economy for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle ranges from 24 to 25 MPG combined across 4 setups. The table below breaks it down by trim so you know exactly what you're signing up for.

By Trim
Beetle - Automatic (S6)
25mpg
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
22 city30 hwy~$3,250/yr-1/10 Poor
Beetle - Automatic (S6)
25mpg
2.5L 5-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
22 city29 hwy~$2,700/yr-1/10 Poor
Beetle - Manual 5-spd
25mpg
2.5L 5-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
22 city31 hwy~$2,700/yr-1/10 Poor
Beetle - Manual 6-spd
24mpg
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
21 city30 hwy~$3,400/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Is the 1.8T SEL Worth It?

Common questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T SEL

How does the 1.8T SEL compare to other Volkswagen Beetle trims?

with 13 listings tracked, the 1.8T SEL sits in a specific spot in the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle lineup. Compare pricing across all trims on the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle page.

What should I know about maintaining the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T SEL?

The 1.8T SEL shares its core mechanicals with other Volkswagen Beetle trims, so major service intervals are similar. Watch for air bags issues, the most commonly reported problem area. There are 3 recalls to verify before purchase. The 2012 model page has the details.

What are the best years for the Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T SEL?

The best model year for the Volkswagen Beetle 1.8T SEL comes down to the price-to-mileage ratio. Compare all years on the Volkswagen Beetle overview.

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