Volkswagen Recall Over Airbag Problems Affects More Than 400k Vehicles

Irvin Jackson

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About 420,000 Volkswagen vehicles may be equipped with defective airbags that may fail to deploy, placing drivers at an increased risk of serious injury during a crash. 

A Volkswagen airbag recall (PDF) was announced by the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) on August 12, indicating that the driver’s side airbags may fail to deploy in an auto accident. While no injuries have been linked to the airbags, this could pose a serious risk in a crash.

The NHTSA investigation indicates that the problem is due to debris that can accumulate near the airbag clock spring, which could cause it to tear. The spiral cable keeps the air bag powered when the steering wheel is turned. The loss of electrical connection will prevent the airbag from deploying if there is a crash.

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According to a safety recall report (PDF) by the NHTSA, Volkswagen knew about the problem since at least 2012. However, the company’s analysis determined that there was a low failure rate and that the problem had no impact on vehicle safety. However, last month the NHTSA rejected Volkswagen’s risk evaluation and called for the recall.

The recall affects an estimated 420,000 vehicles sold in the U.S., including the 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, Passat, and Tiguan, 2010-2013 Eos and Jetta, 2011-2014 Golf and GTI, and 2011-2013 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles.

Volksgwagen is still in the process of developing the recall and has not yet provided a notification schedule for when it will tell affected owners that their vehicles are subject to the recall. Owners can contact Volkswagen customer service by calling (800) 822-8987. They may also contact the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). or visit the website www.safercar.gov.

Irvin Jackson
Written by: Irvin Jackson

Senior Legal Journalist & Contributing Editor

Irvin Jackson is a senior investigative reporter at AboutLawsuits.com with more than 30 years of experience covering mass tort litigation, environmental policy, and consumer safety. He previously served as Associate Editor at Inside the EPA and contributes original reporting on product liability lawsuits, regulatory failures, and nationwide litigation trends.

Tags: Airbag, Airbag Recall, Auto Accident, Volkswagen

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4 Comments

Chris
My 17 year old daughter has a 2014 CC. The car went to the VW dealer (Joe Machens) here in MO for the airbag recall. She was sent away with the dealer telling her “That the driver side bag was probably ok”. The car has no horn and the airbag light is illuminated, no safety devices!! She was additionally informed that the clock spring was the cause of this defect and they wanted $300 + to rectify the situation !! VW Corporate are useless. Law suit ?
Peggy
I have a 2014 CC. It’s my second, and last. The dealers say they have no control and tell you to contact Volkswagen of America. You might as well go bang your head against a wall. I was a loyal customer of Mc Kenna, until this. I was a loyal customer of VW, until this. My lease is up in July. If I’m not killed in the thing before then, I will turn it back in and it’s their problem again. But I’ve suffered with anxiety and frustration for over a year now, and it’s gotten to me. I’m contacting an attorney. Other makes have provided alternate vehicles to their “victims” until the matter gets fixed. Mc Kenna laughs when I suggest that.
Gary
Bob, I feel your pain. I tried to trade my 2012 VW CC and no dealers really want it, the resale value has dropped thru the basement and all VW can say is we are working on it and no there is no resolution of any kind for the future. My wife is getting more and more concerned with driving this car… afraid. We cannot afford a third car and my frustration with VW is about to be come over the top. I asked my local dealer, if I or my wife is injured because of the air bag, what is next… their answer… do not sue “me”. There must be something owners of these defective cars can do before it is too late.
bob
2006 Passat for sale with bad airbag. I called VW and asked them what they are doing with this type car and they said they won’t sell them until they are repaired. I asked if they heard of any VWs anywhere that had been repaired. They said no, no one is aware of any repairs at this time and non are scheduled. The car is listed at about $5600.00. First $3000.00 takes it, comes with recall notice. What law firm do I contact to recover some of my loss?

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