Vehicle recall R/2026/104

Volkswagen Beetle recall: USA Imported vehicle Recall Driver side airbag module replacement

DVSA recall R/2026/104 names the Volkswagen Beetle. It was launched 11 March 2026. It covers vehicles built 19 April 2012 to 24 June 2013.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2026/104
Launched: 11 March 2026
Issued by: VW
Manufacturer reference: 69BC
Vehicles: 4 across the lines below

What can go wrong

USA Recall for Imported vehicles NITSA 20V785. Volkswagen has detected that on some USA Imported Beetle models that the driver front airbag inflator can explode due to propellant degradation that occurs after exposure to high absolute humidity high temperatures and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion in these circumstances can result in injury to the driver or other occupants due to the ejection of metal fragments during the airbag explosion.

The fix

For safety reasons the driver airbag unit must be replaced. The work required will take approximately 1.5 hours and will of course be performed free of charge.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. Vehicle numbers are DVSA figures for each line.
Model	Built	Vehicles
Volkswagen Beetle	19 April 2012 to 24 June 2013	4

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/2025/357 Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement 22 August 2025, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Sharan, Volkswagen Polo and others
R/2023/178 Takata Front airbag 13 June 2023, Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Eos and others
R/2018/150 Incorrectly coated brake pistons 12 June 2018, Volkswagen Beetle
R/2018/062 Starter motor may malfunction and overheat 7 March 2018, Volkswagen Beetle, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Passat and others
R/2015/002 Directional control may be lost 8 June 2015, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Beetle
R/2015/044 Fuel may leak resulting in possible fire 20 April 2015, Volkswagen Beetle

Found one you might buy?

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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