Volkswagen Passat passenger airbag may have been folded incorrectly

NHTSA campaign 20V533000 · Reported 2020-09-02 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

This is serious because the airbag meant to protect a passenger could injure them in a crash, but Volkswagen issued no park-it warning, so you can keep driving while you arrange the free replacement.

What's wrong, in plain English

The airbag in front of the passenger seat may have been folded the wrong way when it was built. A folded airbag has to unpack in a specific way so it inflates at the right speed. If it was folded incorrectly, it can come out with more force than it should. Someone sitting in that seat during a crash could be hurt by the airbag itself. Federal crash-protection rules cover how these airbags must perform.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your Passat is included.
2. Contact your Volkswagen dealer, or Volkswagen customer service at 1-888-241-2289 (recall 69AY), to book the repair.
3. The dealer replaces the passenger front airbag free of charge.

Affected vehicles (1)

2020 Volkswagen Passat

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

What is behind the Volkswagen airbag recalls on Atlas and Jetta? · all 16 Volkswagen recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Passat vehicles. The passenger frontal air bag may have been folded incorrectly affecting its deployment force. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Safety risk: An incorrectly folded air bag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69AY.

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