Volkswagen has started the recall of some 114,478 cars in the United States for the driver’s side airbag inflator. This action is in response to the discovery that the inflators may explode, leading to serious safety hazards to both drivers and passengers. Specific models to be recalled are from the lineups of the 2017-2019 Beetle, 2017-2019 Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan.
Nature of the risk
According to NHTSA, it’s possible that in these vehicles, the driver’s side frontal airbag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation. In general, long exposure to absolute high humidity combined with high temperatures and temperature cycling can eventually cause the degradation of propellant. In such an explosion, sharp metal fragments would result from the inflator and could strike the driver or other occupants, possibly causing serious injury or death.
Volkswagen says it is making this recall “out of an abundance of caution,” even though it observes that the inflators do not presently create an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. The manufacturer added that it is not aware of any accidents or injuries resulting from this airbag problem to date.
Background on airbag issues
Indeed, this recall has been within a wider context with similar airbag safety concerns in various manufacturers and vehicles-especially those equipped with Takata airbag inflators, as seen also with this article, “Do not drive” alert for 457,000 Ford and Mazda vehicles: list of car models affected. Issues because of the Takata airbag scandal have brought one of the largest recalls in automobile history; millions of vehicles have been its part worldwide due to similar risks associated with airbag malfunction.
This recall of Volkswagen vehicles serves to illustrate that vigilance, as far as safety goes, is still alive in the motor industry. The company is being proactive to replace what might be a faulty driver-side front airbag module to make sure customers are safe, and it won’t have to bear the cost either.
Overview of the recall procedure
Affected vehicle owners will be mailed to inform them of the recall and will receive further instructions on what they should do. Volkswagen expects to mail the notification letters no later than December 27, 2024. The remedy is a replacement of the driver’s side front airbag module free of charge to customers.
Dealerships will perform the replacement process in order to bring all affected vehicles up to standard for safety. Customers may contact their local Volkswagen dealer for further information or to schedule an appointment for the needed repairs.
Implications for Volkswagen
This recall occurs when Volkswagen, by all means, is trying to sustain its reputation after the previous challenges facing the company because of emissions scandals, among other recalls. The company considers proactive ways to handle these issues fundamentally important in restoring trust with consumers and regulatory bodies alike.
The automaker has not made new Beetle models since 2019 and within the last few years phased the Passat from the U.S. market. Still, variants of those models remain on sale elsewhere-including in Europe.
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