Recall 24V834 covers 248,330 Volkswagen Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles for explosive driver air bag inflators. Free repair at franchised Volkswagen dealers.
Volkswagen is recalling 248,330 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 Beetle, Passat, and Beetle Convertible vehicles because the driver's side frontal air bag inflator can explode after long exposure to humidity and heat. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Volkswagen dealers will replace the inflator free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver side frontal air bag inflator is the gas generator inside the steering wheel air bag module. In a crash, the inflator fills the air bag so the cushion deploys between the driver and the steering wheel. On these Volkswagen Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles, the recall centers on Takata SDI-D driver frontal inflators.
The problem is inside the inflator propellant. After long exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and temperature cycling, the propellant degrades. If the air bag deploys, the inflator can explode instead of inflating the bag normally, sending metal fragments into the cabin.
There is no warning sign before failure. A dashboard air bag light is not identified in the recall as an advance symptom for this defect, so the VIN check and dealer inspection decide whether the recalled inflator is present.
Who's affected?
Spans Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat model lines, all tied to the driver side front air bag module.
| 2019 Volkswagen Beetle | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2017 Volkswagen Beetle | front air bag |
| 2017 Volkswagen Passat | front air bag |
| 2018 Volkswagen Beetle | front air bag |
| 2018 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | front air bag |
| 2012 Volkswagen Passat | front air bag |
| 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | front air bag |
| 2014 Volkswagen Passat | front air bag |
| 2019 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | front air bag |
| 2013 Volkswagen Passat | front air bag |
| 2006 Volkswagen Passat | front air bag |
| 2007 Volkswagen Passat | front air bag |
| Units affected | 248,330 |
| 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 car.
What's the safety risk?
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Because this recall involves the driver's front air bag, have the repair scheduled soon and avoid delaying once your VIN is confirmed. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, or 2019 Volkswagen Beetle, Passat, or Beetle Convertible is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free driver's side front air bag module replacement that addresses the inflator explosion risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 24V834 and Volkswagen recall numbers 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6 when you call.
- Schedule the repair promptly once your VIN is confirmed, because the driver air bag inflator can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician replaces the driver's side front air bag module. Parts and labor are covered under recall 24V834, and the repair is free at a Volkswagen dealer. The work removes the recalled driver frontal air bag inflator from service by replacing the module, rather than trying to repair the inflator itself. Volkswagen says it will not offer a reimbursement plan for this recall, so prior out of pocket repairs are not reimbursed under this campaign.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| October 30, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| November 1, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 4, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 27, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 27, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V834?
Recall 24V834 covers 248,330 Volkswagen Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles with a driver's side frontal air bag inflator that can explode after long-term heat and humidity exposure. Volkswagen dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, or 2019 Volkswagen Beetle, Passat, or Beetle Convertible is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 24V834. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the driver's side front air bag module replacement. Reference recall 24V834 and Volkswagen recall numbers 69EG, 69GQ, or 69E6 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Volkswagen says dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module free of charge. The free repair applies at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 24V834?
The risk is serious injury or death from sharp metal fragments if the driver's side frontal air bag inflator explodes. Recall 24V834 ties that risk to propellant degradation after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
What if I bought my Volkswagen used?
The free recall repair still applies. Ownership history does not remove the manufacturer's duty to complete an open safety recall at no cost. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Volkswagen dealer with recall 24V834 and ask for the driver's side front air bag module replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V834000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V834 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V834000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →