Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module; steering: column locking: anti-theft device (Volkswagen)
Vehicle recall 19V-615. NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on Aug 22, 2019.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on Aug 22, 2019. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 26, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than “Park” increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
(Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry.
A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in “Park.”
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module.
- NHTSA’s part: Steering: column locking: anti-theft device.
What should you do?
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 37M2.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 679,027 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- Volkswagen Beetle20192018201720162015and 2012, 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here
- Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen201920182017
- Volkswagen Jetta2018201720162015and 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here
- Volkswagen Golf2019201820162015
- Volkswagen GTI20192018201720162015
- Volkswagen Beetle Convertible20192018201720162015and 2012, 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 26, 2026 and checked Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 26, 2026.