Recall 15V627 affects 993 2015 Volkswagen Jetta, E-Golf, and Golf vehicles for faulty passenger air bag occupant detection. Free repair at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 993 2015 Jetta, E-Golf, and Golf vehicles because the Passenger Occupant Detection System was manufactured improperly. If the front passenger is classified incorrectly or not detected in a crash, the frontal air bag can deploy improperly or fail to deploy, increasing injury risk; Volkswagen dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Passenger Occupant Detection System, or PODS, in the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta, E-Golf, and Golf watches the front passenger seat and tells the airbag system how that seat is being used. Its control module helps decide whether the front passenger is detected and classified correctly, so the airbag system uses the right setting for that seat.
In affected vehicles, an electromagnetic coil inside the PODS control module was built with improper insulation between coil layers. As the coil changes over time, the module can misread the front passenger seat or stop detecting the occupant. That means the system does not get the correct passenger classification from the seat module.
Owners are alerted by the airbag monitoring light or by a false Passenger Airbag OFF indication. The Passenger Airbag OFF indicator also flashes for several seconds when the passenger airbag system changes state, so watch for that light behavior and report it when you contact a Volkswagen dealer.
Who's affected?
Includes 3 Volkswagen car lines from the 2015 model year, all tied to the same front air bag control module.
| 2015 Volkswagen Jetta | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2015 Volkswagen E-Golf | front air bag |
| 2015 Volkswagen Golf | front air bag |
| Units affected | 993 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
For recall 15V627, if the front passenger seat occupant is classified incorrectly or not detected in a crash, the passenger frontal air bag can deploy improperly or fail to deploy, increasing injury risk. Watch for the airbag monitoring light or an incorrect Passenger Airbag OFF indication, and schedule the repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Volkswagen Jetta, E-Golf, or Golf is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free PODS control module replacement for the front passenger air bag occupant-detection system.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V627 and Volkswagen recall 69L6 when you call.
- Avoid using the front passenger seat until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician replaces the PODS control module for the front passenger seat occupant detection system. That module helps the vehicle identify whether someone is sitting in the passenger seat so the restraint system uses the right passenger classification. The recall repair is available now, and the replacement parts and labor are free under recall 15V627. Contact a Volkswagen dealer and ask them to confirm the VIN before scheduling the module replacement.
Timeline
| October 7, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 20, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V627?
Recall 15V627 covers 993 2015 Volkswagen Jetta, E-Golf, and Golf vehicles with a Passenger Occupant Detection System control module that was manufactured improperly. In a crash, the front passenger air bag can deploy incorrectly or fail to deploy. Volkswagen dealers replace the PODS control module for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Volkswagen Jetta, E-Golf, or Golf is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V627. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule replacement of the PODS control module. Reference recall number 15V627 or Volkswagen recall number 69L6 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Volkswagen dealers replace the PODS control module free of charge. The free repair applies at any franchised Volkswagen dealer for vehicles included in recall 15V627.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V627?
The risk is that the front passenger air bag can deploy improperly or fail to deploy in a crash. That increases the risk of injury to the front passenger. The fix is a free replacement of the PODS control module at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V627000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V627 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V627000 |
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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →