Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V356000 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC | from 07/01/2003 to 08/31/2003 | V (Vehicle) | 333 | 10/03/2003 | MFR | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC | 09/29/2003 | 09/30/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain passenger vehicles, the passenger detection function of the passive occupant detection system (pods) may become disabled. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Should the pods control unit malfunction, the air bag system in the vehicle will not work as designed and may not be able to properly protect occupants in a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will reprogram the pods. owner notification originally began october 3, 2003. vw has determined that additional vehicles need to be repaired. the recall for the additional vehicles is expected to begin on december 17, 2004. owners should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Vw recall no. wu.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | ||||||||||||||||
| 08V178000 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC | from 07/24/2003 to 10/31/2004 | V (Vehicle) | 76900 | 07/31/2008 | ODI | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC | 04/17/2008 | 04/18/2008 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Volkswagen is recalling 76,900 my 2004-2005 new beetle and my 2003-2005 new beetle convertibles equipped with an advanced (dual-stage) air bag system. this system may have air bag frontal crash sensors that contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions. if this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the fallback algorithm will ensure that the front air bags always deploy in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration is high enough to activate the frontal air bags. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | In low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will inspect each vehicle to determine that the specific defect crash sensor is present on one or both sides of the vehicle. all of the defect crash sensors will be replaced free of charge. the recall is expected to begin on or before july 31, 2008. owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Volkswagen recall no. r6.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||||
| 01 08 07 | 01/29/2008 | 0507 | 10024403 | Airbag monitoring light on, passenger occupant detection system, dtc 02511 014 stored in memory. *nj | 04/11/2008 |
| 0417 | 05/23/2005 | 10009886 | Airbag monitoring light on, passenger occupant detection system (pods), diagnostic trouble code 02511 014 stored. *tt | 11/01/2004 | |
| 0403 | 07/26/2004 | 10008912 | Passenger occupant detection system (pods) fault. *mj | 08/31/2004 | |
| 0302 | 10/07/2003 | 10004520 | Passenger air bag off indicator light in center dash cover may stay on depending on passenger seat occupancy as registered by the weight sensing mat. *tt | 12/17/2003 | |
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | |||||
| SB-69-11-01 | 02/17/2011 | 10038665 | Ready | 06/24/2011 | |
| SB-69-11-01 | 02/17/2011 | 10038665 | Volkswagen: air bag light is on with an internal trouble code stored. this could be a wiring problem. *rm | 06/24/2011 | |
| 0401 | 02/02/2004 | 10006080 | After replacement of the passenger occupant detection system (pods), the passenger seat bolster or the airbag control module, fault code 02511 014 - seat occupied recognition control module faulty - appears. *tt | 04/15/2004 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | ||||||
| PE08012 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC | 02/15/2008 | 04/24/2008 | FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE | 08V178000 | |
| Certain subject vehicles, model year (my) 2003 convertible and my 2004 sedan and convertible vehicles are equipped with an advanced dual-stage air bag system.the air bag crash sensors (#1f0 909 606) contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions.if this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the control module will enable a fallback algorithm that will ensure that the front air bag always deploys in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration is high enough to activate the frontal air bags.however, in low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants.volkswagen will inspect for the defective crash sensor and replace with an updated design.in addition, 16,177 early-my 2005 new beetle sedan and convertible vehicles (built through oct 31, 2004) are also included in the recall campaign.this preliminary evaluation is closed (see recall 08v-178) | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 03/29/2011 | 30000 | ||
| Airbag light came on and stay on(concerned about not working properly in event of accident) taken into dealership for code read: airbag module shorted. front passenger seat and carpet need to be removed for replacement of airbag because wire under the seat is too short that it torn when the seat was moved forward to allow access to rear seat. this should be a manufactural fault. | |||
| 08/04/2009 | 89177 | 2 | |
| Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) 2004 volkswagen new beetle [xxx] air bag light has came on twice and volkswagen service department advises anytime the air bag light comes on it is a safety hazard. i have had to replace the drive & passenger seat belt latch to make the air bag light go off at a cost of $600.32. if this is a safety issue, why is there not a recall? *tr | |||
| 03/05/2009 | 82400 | 1 | |
| Air bag light remains on (concerned about not working properly in event of accident) possible wire that is too short under the seat breaking when it is moved forward to allow access to rear seat. *tr | |||
| 02/05/2009 | 27858 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen new beetle. when the contact started the vehicle, he noticed that the air bag indicator was illuminating on the instrument panel. the indicator did not dim once the vehicle was in motion. the vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that the driver's side seat latch for the seat belt needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed a failed wire by the latch of the seat belt on the driver's side. the manufacturer was notified and stated that they were not liable for the repairs. the current mileage was 27,888 and failure mileage was 27,858. | |||
| 07/10/2008 | 32000 | 1 | |
| Re: illumination of air bag warning light was repaired under factory warranty. came on again 1 week later and a crash sensor was replaced, again under factory warranty. came on again about 3 weeks later and was charged due to expiration of factory warranty even though it has been an ongoing issue with this manufacturer. *tr | |||
| 11/06/2006 | 51574 | 2 | 08/08/2004 |
| Our 2004 vw new beetle has had two air bag switch failures. the first one was within the first couple thousand miles and was covered under warranty. the second one just happened and was not covered by our original warranty, or our extended warranty. if this is a safety issue and we did nothing to promote the failure, is the $535 repair our responsibility? *jb srs.pco | |||
| 09/01/2005 | 28 | 04/28/2004 | |
| Purchased brand new. problems i have had with this car: 1. rear power windows have both taken turns falling down into the body. will not power up. one has been replaced. dealer now won't fix second one because they 'don't see it as a known problem.' 2. headliner around rear window has come undone. 3. headlights have to be replaced constantly. for example; a light bulb was installed on a saturday, and had stopped working by the following wednesday. 4. rubber coating on glove box and on interior doors is peeling off. dealer would not even condsider fixing or addressing. 5. key assembly for arm console broke almost immediately. it took approximately 8 months, and several reminders, to get dealer to replace. 6. sometimes radio stays on after key has been removed from ignition. 7. air bag light stays on. won't go off. 8. hand release on front passenger seat often gets 'stuck' and will not work. 9. cup holder has come off track. i only drive this car to-and-from work. no kids/passengers ride in it. it has not had any owner abuse. i will never buy another volkswagen product. *jb | |||
| 07/19/2005 | 44959 | 4 | 10/30/2003 |
| 4th electrical failure, 3rd airbag light/malfuction. 5 days after servicing car for airbag safety issue, same repeated problem. (see complaint 10148516, 10148511). *ak | |||
| 07/12/2005 | 44963 | 3 | 10/30/2003 |
| 3rd electrical failure, 2nd airbag light/malfunction. continued issue with airbag light on/malfunctioning spontaneously. *ak | |||
| 01/22/2006 | 20500 | 1 | 05/29/2004 |
| Airbag malfunction light came while car was on and in idle and remains on. *jb | |||
| 04/05/2005 | 4 | 05/17/2004 | |
| In april 2005, the airbag light came on. i immediately brought it to the nearest vw dealer/shop. i was told that they needed to order a part, but that all was fine. in the next few months i called many times and the airbag light had come back on. by august 2005 they finally received the part (passenger airbag sensors under/in the seat). they were unable to fix it even when they received the part (three more errors came up and the wires did not connect properly) and they sent the information to the manufacture for assistance. on 12 september 2005, they had me bring the car back in because they had received repair instructions from the manufacture. i was told that the airbag system was fixed and would have no further problems with it. i do not know if the old parts are available, i will ask. on 17 september 2005 (five days later), the airbag light came back on. *nm | |||
| 08/04/2004 | 18000 | 4 | 08/04/2004 |
| Dt: consumer complained about electrical problems; the speakers didn't work/windows kept going up and down, and transmission failed. the car was not even a one year old. *ak the replaced transmission still performs poorly. the air bag light came on at least 3-4 times. *tt *nm | |||
| 03/29/2005 | 3 | 11/23/2004 | |
| Bought new 2004 vw beetle in 9/04, 2 weeks later, airbag light came on, took to dealer. they had the car over 8 weeks trying to fix. finally agreed to replace with identical new one. less than 2500 miles later, airbag light comes on again. they reset but did not do any repairs. don't know if that fixed the problem as shortly after, steering went out causing the vehicle to run off road and hit guard rail. vw has now, waiting to see if they take responsibility, it doesn't appear as they will from what i am hearing from service manager. final verdict not in yet.*ak | |||
| 09/30/2004 | 3 | ||
| Consumer was involved in an accident where the air bags failed to deploy. the airbag light was on, as well as the check engine and abs lights. consumer went to dealership to get vehicle serviced, but dealership could not determine the cause of the problem.*ak | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 07/28/2009 | 62000 | 1 | |
| Air bag light is on at all times. please refer to complain odi 10279199. called vw recall center 800.822.8987, there is a recall #08v178000 for exact same issue. vw said my car has never been recalled for that issue. asked if they would take my car for inspection, request denied unless i paid for the inspection. my concern is that airbag may deploy unexpectedly and cause an accident to my family, besides the actual issue of not deploying properly. even if my vehicle has no dual stage airbag, the issue of an airbag light on may be caused by the same quality/poor design root cause. below is the actual recall description and remedy: volkswagen is recalling 76,900 my 2004-2005 new beetle and my 2003-2005 new beetle convertibles equipped with an advanced (dual-stage) air bag system. this system may have air bag frontal crash sensors that contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions. if this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the fallback algorithm will ensure that the front air bags always deploy in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration is high enough to activate the frontal air bags. consequence: in low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants. remedy: dealers will inspect each vehicle to determine that the specific defect crash sensor is present on one or both sides of the vehicle. all of the defect crash sensors will be replaced free of charge. the recall is expected to begin on or before july 31, 2008. owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. *tr | |||
| 07/18/2009 | 62000 | 1 | |
| Air bag light is on, does not turn off. *tr | |||
| 08/22/2008 | 47000 | 1 | |
| Dealer performed recall on crash test sensors on 2004 new beetle tdi, on the way home airbag warning light comes on, vw wants us to pay over $1000.00 to repair. *tr | |||
| 04/10/2006 | 25276 | 3 | 01/17/2006 |
| I purchased a used 2004 vw new beetle convertible from toyota of orange, orange, ca this year, january, 2006. within a week of the purchase, the airbag warning came on. i talked to the sales manager, bill about this in person...(concerned that the safety check was not thorough), and he was not the least bit concerned and told me that since the mileage was only about 25,000 that it was covered under warranty. i took it to mckenna vw in huntington beach, ca for the repair/replacement of sensor. the light was off when i picked it up but then came on again only one month later. this time i took it to fladeboe vw, irvine ca. a part had to be ordered for another sensor, so i returned after the part was in and had it placed mid-march, 2006. it is now april 2006 and the airbag warning light is on for the 3rd time since the car was purchased 3 months ago!! help!! *nm | |||
| 02/02/2005 | 4 | 05/29/2004 | |
| Air bag light malfunctioned first on 2/2005 , was brought in 4 times to be fixed and was not fixed until sept. let me drive around with air bag lite on. | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | |||
| 07/28/2009 | 62000 | 1 | |
| Air bag light is on at all times. please refer to complain odi 10279199. called vw recall center 800.822.8987, there is a recall #08v178000 for exact same issue. vw said my car has never been recalled for that issue. asked if they would take my car for inspection, request denied unless i paid for the inspection. my concern is that airbag may deploy unexpectedly and cause an accident to my family, besides the actual issue of not deploying properly. even if my vehicle has no dual stage airbag, the issue of an airbag light on may be caused by the same quality/poor design root cause. below is the actual recall description and remedy: volkswagen is recalling 76,900 my 2004-2005 new beetle and my 2003-2005 new beetle convertibles equipped with an advanced (dual-stage) air bag system. this system may have air bag frontal crash sensors that contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions. if this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the fallback algorithm will ensure that the front air bags always deploy in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration is high enough to activate the frontal air bags. consequence: in low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants. remedy: dealers will inspect each vehicle to determine that the specific defect crash sensor is present on one or both sides of the vehicle. all of the defect crash sensors will be replaced free of charge. the recall is expected to begin on or before july 31, 2008. owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. *tr | |||
| 03/15/2008 | 39000 | 3 | 03/11/2004 |
| Air bag warning light comes on. repaired twice under warranty, right front crash side sensor replaced on 11 sep 2007, don't know about the first incident. now out of warranty and air bag light is on again. *tr crash sensor.pco | |||
| 02/10/2008 | 80000 | 1 | 10/01/2004 |
| 2004 vw new beetle air bag sensor light on. *tr crash sensor.pco | |||
| 04/04/2007 | 1 | 06/25/2004 | |
| Airbag light came on +/- 52,000 miles and is a constant light (original car warranty expired 50,000 miles) i was informed by new country volkswagen of greenwich ct (vw service) and fidelity warranty services that my extended warranty won't cover repair or diagnostic costs (estimated at $750 plus tax). tech found passenger front air bag crash sensor no signal. this car is barely 3 years old and has not been in any accidents at all. vw customer care did not provide assistance despite the fact that on the nhtsa website it appears that air bag lights are a noted issue on the 2004 volkswagen new beetle and there have been recalls, just not my vin number yet. vw should contact me and pay for this repair. *tr srs.pco | |||
| 03/24/2007 | 35851 | 3 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. the contact stated that the passenger's side air bag indicator constantly illuminated. also, the seat belt indicator illuminated intermittently even when the vehicle was unoccupied. in addition, the daytime running lamps would shut off, but the dealer replaced the bulbs. the contact had an appointment to have the air bag indicator diagnosed. the current and failure mileage were 35851. *ak | |||
| 02/12/2005 | 32785 | 3 | |
| 2nd major electrical problem since car purchase. safety issue regarding seat occupied light module and airbag light on/malfunctioned. left brake light burnt out. *ak | |||
| 12/06/2004 | 12240 | 6 | 12/26/2003 |
| The air bag light stayed on. the car has been taken back for this problem on 5 separate occasions. on one occasion we never even left the dealership. the last time we picked it up the vehicle they told us it was a software issue, and the solution should be in two weeks, and it was safe to drive. it has been almost five months and still no solution as of yet. they were still saying two weeks.*ak | |||
| 08/04/2004 | 2 | ||
| Whenever the passenger/driver seats are moved within 10 seconds of starting the car airbag light comes on in the console and does not turn off until done so manually by a mechanic. the pod device is then disabled. if light is on, then airbag might not deploy in an accident, injuries or death may occur. on 2 separate occasions, one in august and one in october the light was reset by a mechanic and took 3 days each time. i have been advised to have the computer in the car reprogrammed, but the dealership's mechanics have not done so, assuming that is why the light keeps appearing.*ak | |||
| 03/05/2004 | 7 | 02/21/2004 | |
| While driving srs light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. the consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic determined that the air bag sensor needed to be reset, and reset it six times. however, the problem recurred. *ak the seat latch was broken and the rear console was falling apart. *sc | |||