Recall 19V862 covers 226 2011-2015 Golf, A3 and Passat vehicles for driver air bag inflator explosion risk. Repair is free at franchised Volkswagen dealers.
Volkswagen is recalling 226 2011-2015 Golf, A3, and Passat diesel vehicles under recall 19V862 because the driver's air bag inflator can explode after propellant degradation. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers and cause serious injury or death; a Volkswagen dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The driver's air bag inflator in the 2011-2015 Golf, A3, and Passat sits inside the steering wheel. In a crash, it is supposed to ignite a small charge and fill the driver's air bag fast enough to cushion the driver. The inflator has to stay sealed and controlled when that charge fires.
These vehicles were thought to have already received Takata recall repairs, but a parts audit found that repairs claimed at the ADESA Lexington site were not reliably matched to completed work. If the original Takata inflator is still installed, its propellant can degrade after long exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature cycling. During air bag deployment, that degraded inflator can explode instead of inflating the bag in a controlled way.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag light, normal driving feel, and past paperwork do not prove the driver's inflator was actually replaced.
Who's affected?
Spans the Golf, A3, and Passat across the 2011-2015 model years, all tied to the driver-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2012 Volkswagen Golf | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2011 Volkswagen Golf | front air bag |
| 2013 Audi A3 | front air bag |
| 2013 Volkswagen Golf | front air bag |
| 2014 Volkswagen Passat | front air bag |
| 2013 Volkswagen Passat | front air bag |
| 2014 Volkswagen Golf | front air bag |
| 2012 Volkswagen Passat | front air bag |
| 2011 Audi A3 | front air bag |
| 2015 Volkswagen Passat | front air bag |
| 2012 Audi A3 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 226 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2015 Golf, A3, or Passat is included in this Volkswagen recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free driver's-side air bag inflator replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V862 when you call.
- Ask the dealer to confirm the repair addresses the driver's air bag inflator explosion risk before you leave the vehicle.
- Drive with extra care until the repair is complete, and avoid unnecessary trips if the air bag warning light is on.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician replaces the driver's side air bag inflator covered by recall 19V862. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, which began December 20, 2019. This repair addresses the inflator that can rupture after long-term exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and temperature cycling. Volkswagen is not offering reimbursement for this campaign, so prior out-of-pocket repairs are not handled through a separate recall reimbursement program.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| December 4, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 9, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| December 9, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 15, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 15, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 20, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V862?
Recall 19V862 covers 226 2011-2015 Volkswagen Golf, A3, and Passat diesel vehicles with a driver's side air bag inflator that can explode after propellant degradation. Volkswagen dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2015 Volkswagen Golf, A3, or Passat is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V862. If it is, call a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask to schedule the driver's side air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall 19V862 or Volkswagen recall numbers 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volkswagen will replace the driver's side air bag inflator free of charge at a franchised dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an inflator explosion during a crash or air bag deployment. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. The repair path is to replace the affected driver's side inflator for free.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Golf, A3, or Passat used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer with recall 19V862.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V862000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V862 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V862000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →