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1974 Volkswagen Beetle Super 4MT

All Volkswagen Beetle trims (1949–1979) → All Volkswagen Beetle generations →
1974 Volkswagen Beetle – front Unverified
Photo: VW-Cox-Cabrio-napolitaine-devant-le-Palazzo-Tomati-(XVIIIs)-41-Via-Gregoriana-Roma-arriere-byMmeRundvald-08 by Rundvald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the Type 1 (1949–1979); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: VW-Cox-Cabrio-napolitaine-devant-le-Palazzo-Tomati-(XVIIIs)-41-Via-Gregoriana-Roma-arriere-byMmeRundvald-08 by Rundvald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: Volkswagen Beetle Lim Soltak by Bene Riobó, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: VW Beetle - Side View by (G)jabz, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1974 Volkswagen Beetle Super 4MT is a 1.6-liter flat-4 with a 4-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.

Spec Value
Vehicle
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine Type1.6L air-cooled OHV flat-4
Displacement1.6 L
ValvetrainOHV, 2 valves per cylinder, pushrod
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRear-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission4-speed manual
Suspension
Front SuspensionMacPherson strut, wishbones, stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionIndependent swing axle / IRS, torsion bars
Front Stabilizer BarYes
Dimensions & Weight
Height59.1 in
Wheelbase95.3 in

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

No recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1974 Volkswagen BEETLE.

4 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1974 Volkswagen BEETLE

Owner Complaints

4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1974 Volkswagen BEETLE (1 mention a crash, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Seat Belts1
Steering1
Suspension1
Unknown Or Other1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 5, 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…”
May 21, 2004 · Seat Belts Crash 1 injury 1 death
“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…”
Jan 17, 2001 · Suspension
“HE WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN AND THE VEHICLE WAS HITTED AND THE BRAKES DIDN'T HOLD”
Feb 16, 1998 · Unknown Or Other
“REQUESTING INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO OBTAINING LETTER OF CONFORMITY TO BRING 1974 VW BEETLE INTO US FROM GERMANY.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1974 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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