Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module (Volkswagen and Audi)
Vehicle recall 19V-862. NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on Dec 4, 2019.
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The short answer
NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on Dec 4, 2019. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 24, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
(Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls.
The driver’s side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module.
What should you do?
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver’s side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 24, 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 226 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 24, 2026. Updated daily.
- Volkswagen Golfand 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here
- Audi A3and 2011, 2012 and 2013, before the model years listed here
- Volkswagen Passat2015and 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 24, 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 24, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 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 24, 2026.