Volkswagen Recalls 2015-2018 Golf Models for Ignition Key Removal Defect
Volkswagen is recalling 2015-2018 Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles because silicate buildup may allow the key to be removed while the car is not in Park, increasing rollaway risk.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (vehicle rollaway) where injury has not yet been reported, which corresponds to a score of 3 (High) per the rubric.
Plain-English summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The recall addresses a defect where silicate buildup on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle's shift lever is not in the "Park" position. This condition causes the vehicles to fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
The defect increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway, which may result in personal injury or a crash. The source text does not report any specific incidents of injury or death associated with this defect.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board free of charge. The recall began on March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF, GOLF SPORTWAGEN
- Brand
- VOLKSWAGEN
- Manufacturer
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Passenger Car
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 33,168
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (2)
- GOLF
- GOLF SPORTWAGEN
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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