Recall Alert: 2012-2013 Volkswagen Beetle

By Jennifer Geiger

November 20, 2012

The affected vehicles were manufactured from February through August 2012 and are equipped with leather sport seats. (Check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb.) If the front passenger seat gets wet, the occupant control module may not detect a child in the seat, and the airbag will not be disabled, NHTSA says. In the event of a crash, the airbag could injure the child. The safest place for children younger than 12 is the backseat.

Volkswagen has not yer provided an owner notification schedule, but dealers will replace the affected parts for free. Owners can call Volkswagen at 800-822-8987 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

News Editor Jennifer Geiger joined the automotive industry in 2003, much to the delight of her Corvette-obsessed dad. Jennifer is an expert reviewer, certified car-seat technician and mom of three. She wears a lot of hats — many of them while driving a minivan. Email Jennifer Geiger