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Volkswagen Golf key can come out when not in Park

NHTSA campaign 18V464000 · Reported 2018-07-11 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

This is a serious rollaway hazard that can cause injury or a crash; the notice does not tell you to stop driving, but always confirm the car is in Park and set the parking brake before leaving it.

What's wrong, in plain English

A buildup of residue on a small switch by the gear lever can let you pull the key out of the ignition even when the car is not in Park. If that happens and the parking brake is not set, the car can roll away on its own after you walk away, hitting someone or something. The dealer will add an extra switch and circuit board at no charge.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your Golf or Golf SportWagen is covered. 2. Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or your dealer and mention recall 37L5. 3. Have the extra switch and circuit board installed; the repair is free.

Affected vehicles (2)

Who to contact

Volkswagen — official Volkswagen recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-893-5298

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Official notice

Component
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Safety risk
Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.