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Volkswagen and Audi front seat backrests may be weak

NHTSA campaign 20V505000 · Reported 2020-08-26 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

medium How serious is it? About this label

Moderate: it only matters in a rear-end crash, where an occupant could be hurt worse, and the notice does not tell you to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

Welds holding part of the front seat frame and the backrest adjuster together may not have been done correctly at the factory. During normal driving you would not notice anything different about the seat. But if another vehicle hits you from behind, the bad weld could break and the seat back could give way, so the seat would not hold the person in it as well as it should. Dealers inspect the front seats and replace the seat back frames if necessary.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle falls under recall 20V505000.
2. Contact your dealer, or Volkswagen customer service at 1-888-241-2289 (Audi owners: 1-800-893-5298), to book the seat inspection.
3. The inspection and any seat frame replacement are free.

Affected vehicles (6)

2020 Audi Q5
2020 Audi SQ5
2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
2020 Volkswagen Jetta
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
2021 Volkswagen Atlas

Who to contact

Audi — official Audi recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-253-2834

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

Audi seat recalls: passenger airbag shutoff, weak backrests, loose frames · all 3 Audi recalls in this area
Why were Volkswagen front seats recalled for bolts and welds? · all 3 Volkswagen recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: SEATS
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Safety risk: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.

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