Recall 14V670 affects 393 2015 Volkswagen Passat and Jetta vehicles for a seatback recliner bracket defect. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 393 2015 Passat and Jetta vehicles with manual front seatback recliners because the retaining bracket for the seatback recliner can fail to engage correctly. The seatback can move unexpectedly, distracting the driver and increasing the risk of a crash; Volkswagen dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
These 2015 Volkswagen Passat and Jetta vehicles use manual front seatback recliners, the hand-operated mechanisms that set the angle of the front seatbacks. When the recliner is working correctly, the retaining bracket locks the seatback at the position the occupant selects. That locked position keeps the seatback from shifting as the vehicle moves.
On affected vehicles, the retaining bracket in the recliner does not engage correctly. Volkswagen traced the issue to improper performance of the seatback recliner adjustment mechanism during factory testing. When the bracket misses or fails to hold its locked position, the seatback can move unexpectedly instead of staying fixed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first clear sign is unexpected seatback movement when the seat is adjusted, when someone leans against it, or while the vehicle is in use.
Who's affected?
Covers two Volkswagen sedan lines in the same model year, Passat and Jetta, with the same seat assembly component.
| 2015 Volkswagen Passat | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2015 Volkswagen Jetta | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 393 |
| 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 sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
The risk is driver distraction from unexpected movement of the driver's seatback, which increases crash risk. If the seatback shifts or feels loose, limit driving and call a Volkswagen dealer for inspection and correction. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Volkswagen Passat or Jetta is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free seatback-recliner inspection and bracket correction that fixes unexpected seatback movement.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V670 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection is complete, and stop using the vehicle if the driver's seatback moves unexpectedly.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician inspects the front seatback recliner retaining bracket assembly and corrects the assembly if it was not engaged properly. The recall inspection and any needed correction are free. Volkswagen has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related seatback recliner repair before the recall work. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk and ask Volkswagen customer service how to submit documented expenses.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 24, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 19, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V670?
Recall 14V670 covers 393 2015 Volkswagen Passat and Jetta vehicles equipped with manual front seatback recliners. The seatback recliner retaining bracket can fail to engage correctly, causing unexpected seatback movement. Volkswagen dealers will inspect the bracket assembly and correct it as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Volkswagen Passat or Jetta is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 14V670. If it is included, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the seatback recliner bracket inspection. Reference recall number 14V670 or Volkswagen recall number 72F1 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. Volkswagen dealers will inspect the seatback recliner retaining bracket assembly and correct it as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unexpected movement of the driver's seatback, which can distract the driver and increase crash risk. Check your VIN first, then schedule the free dealer inspection if your vehicle is included in recall 14V670.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Passat or Jetta used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2015 Volkswagen Passat or Jetta is included, then contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall number 14V670.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V670000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V670 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V670000 |
Source documents
-
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 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 →