The driver's side air bag in your vehicle is a critical safety device that deploys in a crash to protect you. In certain 2011-2015 Passat, Golf, and Audi A3 models, the air bag inflator could fail due to long exposure to heat and humidity.
Risk if Unfixed
If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments could hit you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate attention.
Free Fix
Your Volkswagen or Audi dealer will replace the faulty driver's side air bag inflators with new ones, free of charge. You should schedule this repair as soon as possible to ensure your safety on the road.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
The driver's airbag in your Audi is a critical safety feature designed to deploy in a crash to protect you. In some 2006-2013 models, the airbag inflator could rupture and send sharp metal fragments flying.
Risk if Unfixed
If your airbag deploys in a crash, it could explode and send metal shards into you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your Audi dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a safer alternative at no cost to you. You should schedule the repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
The driver-side airbag in your vehicle is a safety feature that deploys in a crash to protect you. In some affected models, the airbag's inflator could burst open during deployment.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator ruptures in a crash, it could send sharp metal fragments into you or other passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a safe one, free of charge. You should schedule the repair as soon as you receive the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.