Recall 21V038 covers 57 2021 Volkswagen Jetta and Tiguan vehicles with missing front seat track bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 57 2021 Jetta and Tiguan vehicles because bolts can be missing from the front seat tracks. If those bolts are missing, the seat can move front and back without restriction in a crash, increasing injury risk; the Volkswagen dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front seat tracks in a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta or Tiguan are the metal rails mounted to the floor under the seat. They let the seat move for adjustment while keeping it locked to the vehicle structure. M8 bolts are the critical fasteners that clamp those tracks in place.
Affected vehicles were built with seats that went through supplier rework before installation. During that rework, HDM bolts were removed, and the process did not verify correct reinstallation before the next production step. That leaves certain front seat tracks with missing M8 bolts. With those fasteners missing, the seat track is not secured the way Volkswagen designed it, and movement at the seat can develop.
The warning sign listed for this recall is noise from the seat when driving over irregular roads. If you hear seat noise or feel vibration at the driver seat, treat that as a sign that the seat fasteners need inspection.
Who's affected?
Includes both a sedan and an SUV from the 2021 model year; both point to the seat assembly.
| 2021 Volkswagen Jetta | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2021 Volkswagen Jetta | seat assembly |
| 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan | seat assembly |
| 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 57 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
If the front seat bolts are missing, the seat can slide forward and back without restriction. That movement increases the risk of injury during a crash. Listen for seat noise on rough roads, confirm your VIN, and ask the dealer for current instructions. Repair will be free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Volkswagen Jetta or Tiguan is included in this recall.
- Check your mail and owner account for Volkswagen's recall notice before scheduling the dealer inspection.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer for the free front seat track inspection and bolt installation that secures the seat tracks.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V038 when you call.
- Avoid using any seating position that feels loose or slides without normal adjustment until the dealer inspection is complete.
What happens at the repair
Volkswagen has identified the dealer repair: a Volkswagen technician will inspect the front seat tracks and install missing bolts where needed. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Reimbursement is not being offered for this campaign. If you already paid for a related seat track repair, ask the Volkswagen service desk to note it on the repair order, but the recall filing does not provide a separate repayment path.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| February 1, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 18, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 2, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| April 2, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 2, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 2, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V038?
Recall 21V038 covers 57 2021 Volkswagen Jetta and Tiguan vehicles with front seat tracks that can be missing bolts. If bolts are missing, the seat can move forward and backward without restriction, increasing injury risk in a crash.
What should I do if my 2021 Volkswagen Jetta or Tiguan is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V038. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask for recall 72L6. The dealer will inspect the front seat tracks and install missing bolts for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Volkswagen says dealers will inspect the front seat tracks and install the bolts where needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is seat movement during a crash. If front seat track bolts are missing, the seat can move forward and backward without restriction, increasing the risk of injury. The dealer repair path is an inspection and bolt installation where needed.
What if I bought my 2021 Volkswagen Jetta or Tiguan used?
The recall follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you bought the vehicle used, check your VIN to confirm whether it is included, then call a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall 21V038 or Volkswagen recall number 72L6.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V038000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V038 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V038000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →