Volkswagen Group Issues Major Recall for 850,000 Vehicles With Defective Takata Airbags

In a significant safety development, Volkswagen Group has announced the recall of approximately 850,000 vehicles across its Audi and Volkswagen brands due to potentially dangerous Takata airbag inflators. This action represents a substantial expansion of the ongoing Takata airbag recall, which has been linked to multiple fatalities and injuries worldwide.

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Affected Vehicle Models and Production Years

The recall encompasses numerous popular models from both Volkswagen and Audi, spanning multiple model years. Vehicle owners should immediately check whether their automobile appears on this comprehensive list:

Volkswagen Models Included:

• Passat sedans and wagons (German-manufactured, 2006-2010)
• Eos convertibles (2012-2014)
• Golf hatchbacks (2010-2014)
• U.S.-manufactured Passats (2010-2014)
• CC sedans (2009-2014)
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Audi Models Included:

• A3 (2005-2015)
• A4 convertibles (2006-2009)
• Q5 SUVs (2009-2012)
• A5 convertibles (2010-2011)

Understanding the Takata Airbag Defect

The recalled vehicles contain specific types of Takata airbag inflators that lack moisture protection (non-desiccated SDI and PSDI-5 inflators). These defective components pose a severe safety hazard due to their potential to:

• Rupture during airbag deployment in a collision
• Propell sharp metal fragments toward vehicle occupants
• Cause serious or fatal injuries to drivers and passengers

While Volkswagen Group maintains that no ruptures have occurred in their vehicles to date, the precautionary recall aligns with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) expanded safety campaign against defective Takata inflators.

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Recall Background and NHTSA Involvement

This Volkswagen Group recall forms part of a much larger NHTSA-mandated safety initiative that recently expanded to include three additional automakers. Key developments include:

• Addition of 5 million airbag inflators to existing Takata recalls
• Inclusion of Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz vehicles not previously covered
• Separate recall of 750 model-year 2015 Tiguan and Q5 SUVs announced concurrently

The Takata airbag crisis now represents one of the largest and most complex safety recalls in automotive history, with over 21 million vehicles affected across multiple manufacturers.

What Affected Owners Should Do

Volkswagen Group has outlined specific steps for owners of potentially affected vehicles:

1. Wait for official notification - Volkswagen will mail recall notices to registered owners
2. Schedule dealer service - Authorized technicians will replace defective inflators free of charge
3. Prioritize safety - While no immediate action is required, prompt response is recommended

How to Check if Your Vehicle Is Affected

Vehicle owners can take proactive steps to determine recall status through these methods:

• Visit MotorVero's recall verification tool
• Use the NHTSA's VIN lookup system at nhtsa.gov/recalls
• Contact your local Volkswagen or Audi dealership with your VIN ready

Technical Details About the Airbag Defect

The root cause of the Takata airbag issue stems from chemical degradation in the inflator propellant. Key technical factors include:

• Ammonium nitrate propellant becomes unstable over time
• Humidity and temperature fluctuations accelerate degradation
• Non-desiccated inflators lack protective drying agents
• Overly aggressive combustion during deployment can rupture metal housing

This complex chemical process explains why the recall affects older vehicles in humid climates most severely, though all identified units require replacement as a precaution.

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Comparative Industry Impact

The Volkswagen Group recall represents a significant portion of the broader Takata airbag crisis:

This context demonstrates how the Volkswagen action fits within the larger automotive safety initiative while still representing a substantial consumer impact.

Next Steps for Consumer Protection

As the recall process unfolds, consumers should:

• Regularly check for recall updates as more vehicles may be added
• Understand that replacement parts availability may vary by region
• Maintain updated vehicle registration to ensure receipt of recall notices
• Consider subscribing to manufacturer recall notification services

MotorVero will continue monitoring this developing story and provide updates as Volkswagen Group releases more information about repair timelines and procedures.

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