Volkswagen Beetle driver's airbag can explode and throw metal

NHTSA campaign 24V834000 · Reported 2024-10-30 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

critical How serious is it? About this label

This is the most serious kind of recall — Volkswagen did not order owners to park the car, but the airbag can seriously injure or kill the driver in an otherwise survivable crash, so get it replaced right away.

What's wrong, in plain English

The driver's airbag in these cars has a part inside that inflates it in a crash. Over many years of heat and humidity, the chemical inside can break down. If that happens, the airbag can burst too hard and throw sharp pieces of metal at the driver and other people in the car. This can cause serious injury or death. A dealer will replace the whole driver's airbag unit in the steering wheel.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your car is on the list. 2. Call a Volkswagen dealer now and ask for recall 69EG, 69GQ or 69E6, or call 1-800-893-5298. 3. Have the driver's airbag replaced free of charge as soon as a slot is available.

Affected vehicles (2)

2018 Volkswagen Beetle
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

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

Official notice

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Safety risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.

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