VW Adds 2015-16 Beetle to List of Takata-Affected Vehicles
A latecomer to the list of vehicles affected by the expansive Takata airbag inflator crisis is the Volkswagen Beetle, which was not part of the initial list but is now under recall for having the same potentially fatal airbag inflators as roughly 67 million other vehicles.
Related: Is Your Car Part of the Takata Airbag Recall?
Affected Beetles include some 37,600 model-year 2015-16 coupes and convertibles, and the issue is a familiar one: The driver-side airbag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high temperature cycling. That could send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, striking occupants and potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Such incidents weren’t uncommon in 2022: Five deaths resulted from Takata-related ruptures.
The latest guidance comes after the initial wave of recalls that sought to replace non-desiccated (non-moisture-protected) SDI and PSDI-5 inflators. After further testing on desiccated SDI-D inflators containing 2004 propellant that were installed in the affected Beetles, VW has issued the recall out of caution.
Dealers will replace the driver-side airbag for free. Owners will be notified Feb. 17; those with further questions can call the automaker at 800-893-5298 (VW’s number for this recall is 69EM), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.
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