VW Beetle Instrument Cluster May Not Warn of Brake Trouble

NHTSA campaign 19V094000 · Reported Feb 13, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

If a brake problem isn't shown to the driver, the driver may lose control of the vehicle while trying to brake, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	19V094000
Reported to NHTSA	Feb 13, 2019
Manufacturer	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Part affected	Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2019
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Some Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible cars have a dashboard warning light system that may fail to alert the driver when there's a problem with the brakes. Normally, if something goes wrong with the brakes, a light on the instrument cluster should turn on to let the driver know. In these vehicles, that warning may not appear, so the driver could be unaware that the brakes have an issue. Because of this, the vehicles don't meet federal safety rules for brake warning systems.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is included in this recall.
2. Contact a Volkswagen dealer, or call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
3. The instrument cluster software update is free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 19V094000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2019 Volkswagen Beetle

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 Involve Battery Fires and Drive Power Loss · all 18 Volkswagen recalls in this area

Other Volkswagen Beetle recalls

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Sep 23, 2020VW Jetta and Beetle Brake Master Cylinder Leakhigh
Aug 22, 2019Volkswagen Jetta and Golf key removable when not in Parkhigh
Jun 1, 2018VW and Audi Brake Calipers May Reduce Brakingcritical

Official notice

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The instrument cluster may not provide a visual warning when a brake system failure is detected. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems" and number 101, "Controls and displays."
Safety risk: If the driver is not alerted when there is a problem with brakes, the driver may lose control of the vehicle while attempting to brake, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90L8.

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