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NHTSA recall 16V079000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

Campaign
Published byNHTSA (United States)
Campaign number16V079000
ManufacturerVolkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Reported2016-02-10
Owners notified2017-03-10
ComponentAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Units potentially affected151767
Remedy progress the manufacturer reported
ReportQuarterly report 6, for 2018 quarter 2
Filed with NHTSA2018-07-30
Vehicles in the campaign151767
Reported remedied61266 (40%)
Reported unreachable3950
Reported removed115

These are the manufacturer's totals for the whole campaign at the end of 2018 quarter 2, as filed with NHTSA. They do not say whether one vehicle has been remedied: check the VIN with the official lookups. The reports are from data as of 2026-10-19.

What is wrong

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

What can happen

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Notes

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.

Vehicles this campaign lists
2005 AUDI A3
2006 AUDI A3
2007 AUDI A3
2008 AUDI A3
2009 AUDI A3
2010 AUDI A3
2011 AUDI A3
2012 AUDI A3
2013 AUDI A3
2006 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET
2007 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET
2008 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET
2009 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET
2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.

Investigated as EA15001

This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

NHTSA investigations that led to this recall
EA15001Engineering analysis, opened 2015-02-24. Air Bag Inflator Rupture. AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. The JSON has NHTSA's summary of each.

Bulletins for the same vehicles and component

Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
Campaign Parts B2018-04-16. Service bulletin. Takata Parts request update.
Campaign Parts B2018-04-16. Service bulletin. Effective immediately, the part 8P0-898-201 can be used on all vehicles.
69N1 and 69N2 -2018-02-05. Service bulletin. This communication informs the dealers of details on the Takata parts allocation.
SA-97U3-A2011-06-23. Service bulletin. VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. RESISTANCE IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO TURN ON EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *RM UPDATED 4/9/13. *PE

A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.

Check one vehicle officially