Recall 14V656 covers 442,066 2011-2013 Volkswagen Beetle and Jetta vehicles for rear trailing arm fracture. Repair is free at franchised Volkswagen dealers.
Volkswagen is recalling 442,066 2011-2013 Beetle and Jetta vehicles because rear trailing arms already deformed by a rear or side-rear impact can lose durability. A sudden trailing-arm fracture can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk; the repair will be free at a Volkswagen dealer once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear trailing arm is part of the rear suspension on 2011-2013 Volkswagen Beetle and Jetta vehicles with a rear torsion crank axle. It helps hold the rear wheel assembly in position while the suspension moves over bumps and keeps the rear axle aligned as the car tracks straight.
The recall issue starts after a rear or side-rear impact. If a trailing arm was bent in that crash and the damage was missed or left unrepaired, the metal has less durability than it should. Over later driving, that weakened arm can fracture suddenly. A broken trailing arm can upset the rear suspension and lead to loss of vehicle control.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner who knows the car had rear or side-rear collision damage should tell the Volkswagen dealer, because the concern is hidden deformation that was not found during earlier inspection or repair.
Who's affected?
Beetle appears for the 2012 and 2013 model years, while Jetta spans 2011 through 2013; both involve the rear suspension.
| 2012 Volkswagen Beetle | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2013 Volkswagen Beetle | rear suspension |
| 2012 Volkswagen Jetta | rear suspension |
| 2011 Volkswagen Jetta | rear suspension |
| 2013 Volkswagen Jetta | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 442,066 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A weakened rear trailing arm can fracture suddenly. If it breaks, the vehicle can lose control and the crash risk rises. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm your VIN and ask a Volkswagen dealer for the current repair instructions. Repair will be free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2013 Volkswagen Beetle or Jetta is included in this recall.
- Wait for Volkswagen's repair notice before scheduling the final dealer repair.
- Ask a franchised Volkswagen dealer when the free rear-trailing-arm inlay repair will open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 14V656 when you call the dealer.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard cornering after any rear or side-rear impact damage.
What happens at the repair
Once Volkswagen opens the dealer repair, a Volkswagen technician will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms. The inlay is designed to help prevent sudden loss of control if a trailing arm fractures. Parts and labor for the recall repair will be free once available. Volkswagen is not offering reimbursement for crash related repairs or post crash repairs under this campaign. For crash damage, Volkswagen directs owners to their insurance company.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| October 20, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 6, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| April 6, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 7, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 7, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V656?
Recall 14V656 covers 442,066 2011-2013 Volkswagen Beetle and Jetta vehicles with rear trailing arms whose durability is reduced after prior rear or side-rear impact damage. A sudden trailing-arm fracture can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2011-2013 Volkswagen Beetle or Jetta is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 14V656. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall number 14V656. Volkswagen's remedy is a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms, installed free of charge.
Is the Volkswagen recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. Volkswagen dealers will install the rear axle trailing-arm sheet metal inlay free of charge for vehicles included in recall 14V656.
Is it safe to drive my Volkswagen Beetle or Jetta before the repair?
Use caution until your VIN status and repair plan are clear. The issue involves rear trailing arms with reduced durability after prior rear or side-rear impact damage. A sudden fracture can lead to loss of vehicle control, so ask the Volkswagen dealer what to do before driving to the appointment.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Beetle or Jetta used?
The recall still follows the VIN, not the owner. If you bought the vehicle used and never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Beetle or Jetta is included. Then call a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall number 14V656.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V656000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V656 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V656000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →