Audi, VW Front Seat Frame Weld Defect

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

medium How serious is it? About this label

In a rear-end crash, the weak weld could cause the seat backrest to break, possibly reducing how well the seat restrains the occupant and increasing the risk of injury. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	20V505000
Reported to NHTSA	Aug 26, 2020
Manufacturer	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Part affected	Seats
Vehicles covered	6 model/year combinations, model years 2020–2021
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Volkswagen is recalling certain Audi Q5 and SQ5 SUVs, and Volkswagen Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI, and Tiguan vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and the backrest adjuster may not have been welded together correctly during manufacturing, meaning the weld holding these seat parts together may not be as strong as it's supposed to be.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is affected.
2. Contact a Volkswagen dealer at 1-888-241-2289 or an Audi dealer at 1-800-893-5298 to schedule an inspection.
3. Dealers will inspect the seats and replace the seatback frame if needed, 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 20V505000. More in how recalls work.

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 Involve Tracks, Frames, and Passenger Airbag Problems · all 4 Audi recalls in this area
Volkswagen Seat Recalls Involving Loose Tracks and Weak Frames · all 3 Volkswagen recalls in this area

Other Volkswagen Atlas recalls

Sep 11, 2026Volkswagen Atlas And Tiguan Steering Bolt May Breakhigh
Jul 22, 2026VW Atlas rearview camera image may not displaymedium
Dec 4, 2025Volkswagen Atlas May Have Incorrect Wheel Bolts Installedcritical
Jun 30, 2025VW Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, ID.4 Loose Boltshigh
May 21, 2025Volkswagen Atlas Rearview Camera Image Distortionmedium
Feb 17, 2025Volkswagen Atlas Engine Cover May Cause Firecritical

All 48 Atlas recalls

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.