Structure: frame and members (Audi)
Vehicle recall 81V-039. NHTSA received VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC’s report on Mar 24, 1981.
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The short answer
NHTSA received VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC’s report on Mar 24, 1981. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 27, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
REAR BUMPER SYSTEM ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY WELDED DURING ASSEMBLY.
IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION, THE RIGHT SIDE BUMPER SUPPORTOR COULD BREAK LOOSE, DAMAGE THE FUEL TANK AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Structure: frame and members.
What should you do?
A REINFORCEMENT PLATE WILL BE INSTALLED, IF NECESSARY, TO PREVENT FUEL TANK DAMAGE. WORK WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO COST TO OWNERS.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; BODY WELD SEAM/FUEL TANK.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN A COLLISION, IF FUEL DOES LEAK AND AN IGNITIONSOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD START AND CAUSE INJURY TO PASSENGERS.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 24,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- Audi 4000and 1980 and 1981, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- 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 before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 27, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 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 27, 2026.