Vehicle recall R/2013/057

Volkswagen Up recall: Side airbag diagnostic function disabled

DVSA recall R/2013/057 names the Volkswagen Up. It was launched 3 May 2013. It covers vehicles built 14 January 2013 to 19 March 2013.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2013/057
Launched: 3 May 2013
Issued by: VW
Manufacturer reference: 69J5
Vehicles: 6,395 across the lines below

What can go wrong

Some vehicles may be fitted with airbag control units with incorrect parameters programmed. On these vehicles the diagnostic function for the side crash sensors is deactivated resulting in potential faults not being recognised and the airbag warning not illuminating.

The fix

Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to re programme the airbag control unit.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. Vehicle numbers are DVSA figures for each line.
Model	Built	Vehicles
Volkswagen Up	14 January 2013 to 19 March 2013	6,395

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2014/176 Unintentional airbag deployment 15 February 2015, Volkswagen Up, Volkswagen Polo
R/2016/145 Child lock may disengage 23 June 2016, Volkswagen Up, Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Tiguan and others
R/2016/221 Panoramic sunroof may detach 9 September 2016, Volkswagen Up
R/2017/079 Airbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident 22 March 2017, Volkswagen Scirocco, Volkswagen Transporter, Volkswagen Crafter and others
R/2017/347 Towing eye in the vehicle tool kit may detach during use 21 December 2017, Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Up
R/2023/178 Takata Front airbag 13 June 2023, Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Eos and others

Found one you might buy?

A recall is one part of the picture. See how often it fails its MOT at each age, or what the VetTheCar Buying Report tells you about a specific car.

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources