Volkswagen Recalls Vehicles Due to Ignition Key Removal Risk
Volkswagen is recalling 679,027 vehicles because silicate buildup may allow the key to be removed when the transmission is not in Park, increasing the risk of a rollaway.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (ignition/shift interlock) that creates a risk of unintended vehicle rollaway, which may result in personal injury or a crash, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. 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. The recall affects vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake, and keyless entry. A total of 679,027 vehicles are affected.
The defect involves a build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts. This condition may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in the "Park" position. Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway, which may result in personal injury or a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board free of charge. The recall began on November 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 BEETLE, GOLF SPORTWAGEN, JETTA, GOLF
- Brand
- VOLKSWAGEN
- Manufacturer
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Passenger Cars
- Affected units
- 679,027
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 (6)
- BEETLE
- GOLF SPORTWAGEN
- JETTA
- GOLF
- GTI
- BEETLE CONVERTIBLE
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · VOLKSWAGEN
- SevereVolkswagen Recalls ID.4 Vehicles Due to High Voltage Battery Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2026-09-30
- SevereVolkswagen Recalls 2018-2021 Models for Steering Rack Bolt Corrosion
NHTSA · 2026-09-11
- SevereVolkswagen Recalls 2025 Tiguan for Software Error Causing Engine Stalls
NHTSA · 2026-09-10
- High
- HighVolkswagen Tiguan rearview camera may fail to display after repair
NHTSA · 2026-05-20
Same manufacturer · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
See all →- SevereAudi Q5 front seat belts may fail to restrain occupants
NHTSA · 2026-04-24
- SevereVolkswagen Taos fuel pressure sensor may separate in a rear-end crash
NHTSA · 2026-04-22
Same hazard · rollaway
See all →- HighFord Recalls 2026 Escape and Lincoln Corsair for Park Module Failure
NHTSA · 2026-05-12
- SevereChevrolet Blazer EV parking brake may activate unintentionally or fail
NHTSA · 2026-01-22
- HighFord Recalls 2025 F-59 and F-53 Vehicles for Brake Light Switch Defect
NHTSA · 2026-01-21
- HighFord electric trucks and SUVs recalled over a park function failure
NHTSA · 2025-12-12
- SevereFord Super Duty trucks recalled over rear axle shafts that may break
NHTSA · 2025-12-12
Similar recalls
- HighVolkswagen Recalls 2015-2018 Golf Models for Ignition Key Removal Defect
NHTSA · 2018-07-11
- SevereVolkswagen Recalls 2019-2020 Models for Ignition Switch Failure Risk
NHTSA · 2023-08-30
- SevereVolkswagen Recalls 56,173 Vehicles for Rear Coil Spring Fracture Risk
NHTSA · 2019-03-06
- SevereVolkswagen Recalls 2015-2016 Models for Brake Assist Loss Risk
NHTSA · 2015-10-26
- HighVolkswagen Recalls Multiple Models Due to Regulatory Non-Compliance
NHTSA · 2019-09-25
- HighVolkswagen Recalls Atlas, Jetta, and Golf for Rear Spring Fracture Risk
NHTSA · 2018-12-19