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2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Beetle Convertible.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

Framed as a passenger car equipped with an S6 automatic transmission, the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible delivers an EPA-rated 28 combined mpg—split between 24 city and 33 highway—with an engine oil capacity of 5.8-6.0 utilizing 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 viscosity. While these mechanical specifications outline a straightforward open-air platform, this model year sits at a compromised point in the vehicle's reliability timeline. It carries 15 owner complaints predominantly targeting the air bags alongside four separate recalls, meaning researchers must weigh these concentrated safety-related reliability concerns when evaluating the platform.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.8-6.0OEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy24/33/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 06K115441D. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215/60R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06K115441D alt 06L115562B
Engine air filter	5C0129620
Fuel filter	1K0201051K
Spark plug	06K905601D
Battery	5K0915105E alt 000915089BC
Front wiper blades	5C1955425
Serpentine belt	06K260849A
Thermostat	06K121113G alt 06H121119E
Cabin air filter	1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	168.5 in
Overall width	71.3 in
Overall height	57.9 in
Wheelbase	100 in
Curb weight	3225 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	24 / 33 / 28 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.8-6.0 of 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Use Audi/VW part number G055540A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	11.0
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4-9.0
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	Use genuine VW G13 type coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity	8.5
Engine Oil	0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	103 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug	28.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	VW
Spark Plug Gap	0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque	22.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	VW
Spark Plug Gap	0.028-0.031 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.11-1.21 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	43 LINE PSI
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	58 LINE PSI
Residual Pressure	14.5: MINIMUM PRESSURE AFTER 10 MINUTES. psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	43 LINE PSI
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	58 LINE PSI
Residual Pressure	14.5: MINIMUM PRESSURE AFTER 10 MINUTES. psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 22; Rear: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 148; Rear: 66
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Stamped on rotor
Maximum Rotor Runout	0.002
Maximum Drum Diameter	9.114

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., 180

148 ft. lbs

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

132.0 ft. lbs., 90

132 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · M8 Bolts

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	90.0 degrees; M9 Bolts	90 degrees
1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0 degrees; Diesel engines	90 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	111.0 ft. lbs.	111 ft. lbs
2	+ 90 degrees. Replace with new bolt.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

1	30.0 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	Bolts 11	3 ft. lbs
5	90

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
3	90.0

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	48.0 ft. lbs.	48 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · Cap bolts

1	48.0 ft. lbs.	48 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees; Side bolts	90 degrees
1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 20,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Convertible Top (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 80,000 mi	Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2017 Beetle Convertible sits in a later phase of the model’s lifecycle, and the available federal record shows a clear contrast with the earlier 2008–2010 years, which had zero complaints but multiple recalls and a high volume of technical service bulletins (TSBs). For 2017, the data reports 6 air bag complaints as the leading issue, along with 3 unknown and 2 electrical complaints, but zero crash or fire incidents. This suggests that while the 2017 model has avoided the most serious safety events, it is not free of component concerns—though the complaint count is low overall. Without recall or TSB figures for 2017, the trend cannot be fully assessed, but the absence of crashes and fires is a positive sign. Given the limited but non-zero complaints and no major safety failures reported, the 2017 Beetle Convertible appears to be a reasonably safe used choice, though buyers should verify any open recalls and inspect the air bag system.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

547

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’08 ’09 ’10

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Air Bags6

Unknown Or Other3

Electrical System2

Unknown Or Other,Lane Departure,Back Over Prevention1

Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Steering,Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other1

Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V615000Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control ModuleReported 22/08/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen…

17V136000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 02/03/2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Beetle and Jetta GLI vehicles. The affected vehicles have incorrect information on the tire information label, possibly causing the operator to… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected tire information label, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 547 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
VOS-26-21	2026-03-27	Engine	This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Beetle Convertible. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 5.8-6.0 Engine oil filter 06K115441D Engine air filter 5C0129620 Fuel filter 1K0201051K Spark plug 06K905601D

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Beetle Convertible take?

5.8-6.0 of 0W-40, 5W-30 OR 5W-40 Meeting VW specification 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Beetle Convertible have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Beetle Convertible get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 33 highway / 28 combined mpg.