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Volkswagen key can come out when not in Park

NHTSA campaign 19V615000 · Reported 2019-08-22 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

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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. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

On these cars a small switch by the gear lever can get a mineral build-up on its contacts. When that happens, you can pull the key out of the ignition even though the lever is not in "Park." If the handbrake is not set, the car can roll away on its own after you get out, and someone could be hurt or the car could crash. Dealers will add an extra switch and circuit board free of charge.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is included. 2. Call your Volkswagen dealer or customer service at 1-800-893-5298 (recall 37M2) to schedule the free repair. 3. Until then, make sure the lever is in "Park" and the handbrake is set before leaving the car.

Affected vehicles (9)

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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
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 November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

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