The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Beetle | 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 |
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Beetle | 2017 | 15 | 3 |
| Volkswagen Beetle | 2018 | 17 | 3 |
| Volkswagen Beetle | 2019 | 14 | 3 |
| Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | 2017 | 2 | 2 |
| Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | 2018 | 0 | 3 |
| Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | 2019 | 1 | 2 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2006 | 576 | 7 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2007 | 262 | 7 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2012 | 484 | 11 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2013 | 749 | 9 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2014 | 594 | 10 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2017 | 110 | 7 |
Other air bags recalls in 2024
45 of the 950 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2024 concerned the air bags; Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. filed 321 campaigns in all.
| 24V967000 23 Dec 2024 | Tesla, Inc. |
| 24V960000 20 Dec 2024 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| 24V939000 18 Dec 2024 | Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. |
| 24V938000 18 Dec 2024 | Volvo Car USA, LLC |
| 24V933000 17 Dec 2024 | VinFast Auto, LLC |
| 24V910000 5 Dec 2024 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 24V897000 27 Nov 2024 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| 24V891000 25 Nov 2024 | Pagani S.p.A |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2024