Volkswagen Atlas, Tiguan, Jetta: missing key-in-ignition warning chime

NHTSA campaign 18V824000 · Reported 2018-11-26 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

This is the least alarming kind of recall — it is mainly a theft concern, and the notice gives no instruction to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

These Volkswagens use a regular key rather than keyless entry. Normally the car beeps to remind you the key is still in the ignition when you open the door. On these vehicles the dashboard may not make that sound, so you could walk away leaving the key in. That makes the car easier to steal and raises the risk of a crash. It also breaks a federal theft-protection rule. A dealer reprograms the instrument cluster free of charge.

What you should do

1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your car is included.
2. Call your Volkswagen dealer or VW customer service at 1-800-893-5298 (recalls 90L3 and 90L4) to have the instrument cluster reprogrammed.
3. Get the reprogramming done — it is free.

Affected vehicles (5)

2018 Volkswagen Atlas
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
2019 Volkswagen Atlas
2019 Volkswagen Jetta
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

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

Volkswagen electrical recalls: ID.4 battery fires and sudden power loss · all 16 Volkswagen recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Safety risk: If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.

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