The Recall Desk
Our severity:CriticalNHTSA·24V834000·Announced 2024-10-30

Volkswagen Recalls Beetle and Passat Models for Air Bag Inflator Defect

Volkswagen is recalling specific Beetle and Passat models because the driver's side air bag inflator may explode, posing a risk of serious injury or death.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 5/5 (Critical).

Highest-severity recall. The hazard can cause serious injury or death. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the defect may result in 'serious injury or death,' which aligns with the NHTSA criterion for Critical severity involving potential death or serious injury.

Plain-English summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The recall involves the driver's side frontal air bag inflator, which may explode due to propellant degradation caused by 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. Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 4, 2024.

Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.

The recalled product

Product
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, PASSAT, BEETLE
Brand
VOLKSWAGEN
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag
Hazard
Affected units
248,330

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 (3)

  • BEETLE CONVERTIBLE
  • PASSAT
  • BEETLE

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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