Air bags: frontalRecall 20V-785 · Volkswagen vehicles
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. recall 20V-785 covers 105,652 Volkswagen vehicles for a air bags: frontal problem, reported to NHTSA on December 16, 2020. The manufacturer's latest report (2022 Q4) shows 68% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 20V785000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The driver's side 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 fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BC.
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 www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
68%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 2,152 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
The investigation behind this recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureNHTSA