Recall FAQ
General Recall QA
Recalls are conducted to address issues affecting motor vehicle safety and/or emissions defects. They also address problems that can cause a vehicle to be out of compliance with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or EPA/CARB emissions-related regulatory requirements. Any recall work your vehicle needs should be completed at a Volkswagen dealer as soon as possible.
No — recalls do not have an expiration date.
CLICK HERE to use our Recall/Service Campaign Lookup service to check and see if there are any recalls on your vehicle.
Alternate transportation can vary depending on the recall/campaign. Please contact your Volkswagen dealer for further information.
All recall/campaign work must be completed at a Volkswagen dealership. To schedule an appointment, click here . If you live in Hawaii or Alaska, please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE at 1-800-822-8987 for assistance in scheduling this important work.
Yes. If you received a recall letter concerning your vehicle, you need to schedule an appointment with a Volkswagen dealer to have the recall work performed.
Recall repairs are FREE.
However, there are times when you will have to pay for vehicle repairs before your dealer can do the recall work. For example:
- If you have aftermarket equipment installed on your vehicle and your dealer determines that it would interfere with or prevent the safe completion of the recall repair, you will need to have the aftermarket equipment removed at your expense before the recall work can be done.
- If there is damage to your vehicle and your dealer determines that it would interfere with or prevent the safe completion of the recall repair, you will need to have the damage repaired at your expense before the recall work can be done.
- If there is a pre-existing vehicle issue (such as a vehicle problem that causes an illuminated warning light) and your dealer determines that it would interfere or prevent the safe completion of the recall repair, you will need to have the problem fixed before the recall work can be done.
Please contact your Volkswagen dealer as soon as possible. They will help you make arrangements to get your vehicle to the dealership and perform a diagnosis to determine what the problem is. If the diagnosis confirms the recall issue, Volkswagen will cover the diagnosis and repair for FREE. However, if the diagnosis shows that the problem is not related to the recall, Volkswagen will cover only the diagnosis for FREE; your dealer will let you know what repairs will be needed, and what your cost will be to have the work done.
Recalls affect vehicles built during a certain production timeframe and may also only apply to vehicles with certain types of engines or specific options/equipment. Because of this, cars similar to yours may be recalled, but your car is not affected. Checking with your Volkswagen dealer, or using the VIN lookup tool on vw.com are both very good ways to see if your car is included in a recall or not.
If you have incurred out-of-pocket expenses directly related to a campaign repair and would like to request reimbursement, information on what Volkswagen needs to review your request is included in the recall letter you received.
Please provide legible copies of receipts, invoices and/or repair orders and keep the originals for your records. Documents will not be returned.
Documentation must include:
The name and address of the person who paid for the repair.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the repaired vehicle.
A description of the problem and what repair was done, and the name, address and phone number of the repair facility that performed the work.
Proof of payment for the repair and date payment was made (cancelled check, bank statement, etc.).
Please note:
- Your claim will be acted upon within 60 days of receipt. If your claim is approved, you will receive a check from Volkswagen. Reimbursement may be limited to the amount the repair would cost if it had been completed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer.
- If your claim is incomplete we will contact you and offer you the opportunity to provide additional documentation to support your claim.
- If your claim is denied we will contact you with the reason(s) for denial.
Without the required documentation showing diagnosis/repair from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or licensed repair facility, it is unlikely that your reimbursement request will be paid if you performed your own vehicle repairs.
Volkswagen will send you another letter via first-class mail when the recall repair is available for your vehicle. Until then, if you have any questions or vehicle concerns, please contact your local Volkswagen dealer or click here to Contact Us.
Automakers are required by Federal law to notify owners within 60 days of notifying the government (NHTSA) about a new recall. Because it takes time to develop, test, manufacture and ship repair parts to dealers, it's not possible for dealers to begin performing recall repairs within that 60-day timeframe. It's important for owners to be aware of recalls affecting their vehicles, whether or not a repair is available.
If you have any questions or vehicle concerns, please contact your local Volkswagen dealer or click here to Contact Us.
Safety Recalls 69Q8_69Q9 Takata - Takata Recall
Driver Frontal Airbag Only:
VW CC – Model Years 2009 – 2017
VW Eos – Model Years 2010 – 2016
VW Golf – Model Years 2010 – 2014
VW Golf R – Model Year 2013
VW GTI – Model Years 2009 – 2013
VW Passat – Model Years 2012 – 2015
VW Passat Sedan – Model Years 2006 – 2010
VW Passat Wagon – Model Years 2006 - 2010
To see if your Volkswagen is part of a recall, please enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the VIN Lookup tool found on either vw.com/recalls or NHTSA.gov/recalls .
Your VIN is located on the lower left corner of your vehicle’s windshield, on your vehicle’s registration card, and it may also be shown on your vehicle insurance certificate.
For additional information on this airbag recall, please reach out to us by visiting vw.com/contact.
A recalled Takata airbag may explode in a crash with airbag deployment. Sharp metal fragments can hit people and cause serious injury or death.
There is no way to detect if your car might have an airbag inflator potentially at risk of rupturing upon deployment in a crash.
If the airbag light is on in your vehicle, it is not related to this recall issue. We recommend that you contact your authorized dealer, without delay, to make arrangements to have the problem diagnosed and repaired. See your owner’s manual for additional information about vehicle warning lights.
In affected Volkswagen vehicles, only the driver frontal airbag is included in the Takata recall. The repair is to replace the driver airbag inflator or driver frontal airbag assembly for FREE.
Volkswagen is only able to confirm / identify airbags in affected vehicles that are specified for replacement under the Takata Safety Recall.
Please make an appointment with a Volkswagen dealer. To locate a dealer in your area, click here.
Yes! The interim repair was an important step to help keep you safe until the final repair became available. Please make an appointment with a Volkswagen dealer to have the final, FREE recall repair completed. To locate a dealer in your area, click here.
Yes, it will. For Canadian vehicles, you may be able to import/export the vehicle before all recall repairs are complete, but it’s best to contact your vehicle import service for additional details and restrictions before you decide to export/import your vehicle. With regard to other countries, please contact your vehicle import service for additional details and restrictions before you decide to import/export your vehicle.
Please contact the Volkswagen Dealership in your current country of assignment to verify repair availability.
If you’re aware of the subsequent owner of the vehicle, please notify them of the Safety Recall. If you are no longer the owner of the vehicle, please disregard the notification.
For more information, you can reach out to us by visiting vw.com/contact.
Safety Recall 20AW – Fuel Tank
Certain 2018 model year Volkswagen Atlas
Fuel may leak from the fuel tank. Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fuel tank will be replaced.
Parts are available now and repairs have begun. Please contact your local Volkswagen Dealership to schedule an appointment. If you are not familiar with one, please click here to locate a Volkswagen Dealer near you.
Yes. If you smell fuel or notice a puddle of fuel beneath your vehicle, please contact your nearest Volkswagen dealer right away. They will help you make arrangements to get your vehicle to the dealership and perform a diagnosis to determine what the problem is. If the diagnosis confirms the recall issue, Volkswagen will cover the diagnosis and repair for FREE. However, if the diagnosis shows that the problem is not related to the recall, Volkswagen will cover only the diagnosis for FREE; your dealer will let you know what repairs will be needed, and what your cost will be to have the work done.
Safety Recall 69X1 - Center Bench Seat Safety Belt Buckles
Certain 2018 model year Volkswagen Atlas vehicles equipped with a second row bench seat.
If a child restraint with a larger than recommended base is installed in the center position of the second row bench seat, it may damage both the center and adjacent outboard safety belt buckles. A damaged safety belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The second row bench seat center and adjacent left (outboard) safety belt buckles will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced. Volkswagen will also provide an Owner's Manual supplement addressing child safety and child restraints. The recall repair is FREE.
Parts are available now and repairs have begun. Please contact your local Volkswagen Dealership to schedule an appointment. If you are not familiar with one, please click here to locate a Volkswagen Dealer near you.
Yes. If you notice any damage to the second row bench seat safety belt buckles in your vehicle during or after child restraint use, please contact your nearest Volkswagen dealer right away to have the issue addressed. Click here to schedule an appointment.
Yes. To help ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers, it's important that you have this recall completed on your vehicle.
Volkswagen will provide owners of affected vehicles with an Owner's Manual supplement addressing child safety and child restraints. The information in the supplement will provide you with additional information that you can use in conjunction with the information already in the owner's manual that came with your vehicle.
Safety Recall 69W8 –Passenger Frontal Airbag
Certain 2018 model year Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles.
In a crash, the passenger frontal airbag may not unfold properly or may even tear during deployment. This can result in an increased injury risk to the front passenger in a crash with airbag deployment.
The passenger airbag will be replaced in affected vehicles. The recall repair is FREE.
Parts are available now and repairs have begun. Please contact your local Volkswagen Dealership to schedule an appointment. If you are not familiar with one, please click here to locate a Volkswagen Dealer near you.
Yes. Owners are advised to not let anyone sit in the front passenger seat until the recall repair has been performed.
No.
Safety Recall 69W9 – Passenger Frontal Airbag
Certain 2018 model year Volkswagen Atlas vehicles.
In a crash, the passenger frontal airbag may not unfold properly or may even tear during deployment. This can result in an increased injury risk to the front passenger in a crash with airbag deployment.
The passenger airbag will be replaced in affected vehicles. The recall repair is FREE.
Parts are available now and repairs have begun. Please contact your local Volkswagen Dealership to schedule an appointment. If you are not familiar with one, please click here to locate a Volkswagen Dealer near you.
Yes. Owners are advised to not let anyone sit in the front passenger seat until the recall repair has been performed.
No.
Safety Recall 40N4 – Lower Ball Nut Joints
Certain 2018 model year Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles.
The nut holding the lower ball joint of the front wheel in each side may be loose or improperly torqued. A loose or improperly torqued ball joint nut can result in dislocation of the lower ball joint. This may cause steering, traction or other stability issues relating to the front wheels and increase the risk of a crash.
The lower ball joint nuts will be replaced. The recall repair is FREE.
Repairs can be scheduled with your authorized Volkswagen dealer now. To schedule an appointment, click here.
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE. Contact VW Roadside Assistance at 1-800-411-6688 to have your vehicle towed for FREE to your nearest Volkswagen dealer for repair.
Your Volkswagen dealer will provide you with a loaner vehicle for FREE if needed.
Safety Recall 40N5 – Lower Ball Nut Joints
Certain 2018 model year Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles.
The nut holding the lower ball joint of the front wheel in each side may be loose or improperly torqued. A loose or improperly torqued ball joint nut can result in dislocation of the lower ball joint. This may cause steering, traction or other stability issues relating to the front wheels and increase the risk of a crash.
One or both of the lower ball joint nuts will be replaced. The recall repair is FREE.
Repairs can be scheduled with your authorized Volkswagen dealer now.
To schedule an appointment, click here.
Contact VW Roadside Assistance at 1-800-411-6688 to have your vehicle towed for FREE to your nearest Volkswagen dealer for repair. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE. Your Volkswagen dealer will provide you with a loaner vehicle for FREE if needed.
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE. Contact VW Roadside Assistance at 1-800-411-6688 to have your vehicle towed for FREE to your nearest Volkswagen dealer for repair.
Your Volkswagen dealer will provide you with a loaner vehicle for FREE if needed.
Safety Recall 46H6 – Brake Caliper Carrier (Bracket) Bolts
USA: Recall includes the 2018 model year Atlas and 2017-2018 model year Passat.
Canada: 2018 model year Atlas & Passat.
The brake caliper carrier (bracket) bolts may not be torqued to the correct specification. Because of this, the brake caliper carrier (bracket) may loosen, causing the brake caliper to move on its mount. If this happens, it may lead to increased vehicle stopping distance, may damage a wheel or even cause the vehicle to lose control, increasing the risk of a crash.