France in T5 airbags recall

[kenseaton]

There's an article on the Connexion news website in France on a wide-ranging recall to check on possibly defective Takata airbags.

I think there's already been talk of a recall in the UK but included in France are California T5s "made between 2008 and 2015".

Here's the link to the site - https://www.connexionfrance.com/new...otentially-dangerous-airbags-in-france/707378

 

[trev0rk]

Takata airbag recall | Volkswagen Vans

Find out if your Volkswagen vehicle is installed with a defective Takata airbag. Discover how to check your VIN number and see if your vehicle is affected.

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

VW now have a site for you to check your airbag.

 

[ThomasHJ]

VW already had the same check on the Belgian website.Us Dutch however, seem to have special California's; we can just keep on driving with the Takata airbags according to the dealer who didn;t know anything about it and didn't seem to want to either. Very reassuring.

 

[pete&gill]

Takata airbag recall | Volkswagen Vans

Find out if your Volkswagen vehicle is installed with a defective Takata airbag. Discover how to check your VIN number and see if your vehicle is affected.

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

VW now have a site for you to check your airbag.

Anyone know why the VW UK check asks you to choose a country from a list that does not include UK; United Kingdom; Great Britain; England. If you don't choose a country it just shuts down!

 

[pete&gill]

Thanks Ch1pbutty - Silly me....?

 

[Beeka]

Just checked my Cali and spoke to the VW dealership who said it wasn’t allocated for a recall, even though the VW Owners website stated that it was! Much confusion and fobbing off that they can’t book it in because the VW service website can’t book a recall slot for something that isn’t recalled!
Eventually got them to check the Owners website which then produced a lot of humming and aahing; they’re going to phone me back…..
Interestingly, the Gov recall site stated that no recall was required, so there’s a lot of fish slipping through nets here! Would be amusing if it wasn’t such a serious matter of having metal shards in your face…

 

[dspuk]

Just checked my Cali and spoke to the VW dealership who said it wasn’t allocated for a recall, even though the VW Owners website stated that it was! Much confusion and fobbing off that they can’t book it in because the VW service website can’t book a recall slot for something that isn’t recalled!
Eventually got them to check the Owners website which then produced a lot of humming and aahing; they’re going to phone me back…..
Interestingly, the Gov recall site stated that no recall was required, so there’s a lot of fish slipping through nets here! Would be amusing if it wasn’t such a serious matter of having metal shards in your face…

According to your profile you have a T7? This very old and very well known recall is only for cars across multiple manufacturers from 08 to 15.

 

[Beeka]

According to your profile you have a T7? This very old and very well known recall is only for cars across multiple manufacturers from 08 to 15.

Apologies. Profile updated. It may be old and well known, but not so much that I’ve only just heard about it…..

 

[dspuk]

Apologies. Profile updated. It may be old and well known, but not so much that I’ve only just heard about it…..

Airbag safety recall campaign | Volkswagen UK

The global recall campaigns caused by a risk of fatal injury resulting from defective Takata airbags also affect Volkswagen models.

www.volkswagen.co.uk

If your VIN does not bring it back then you were not affected. Not all were and VW used a lot less of these airbags than other manufacturers. Because of the severity of this fault the manufacturers have no scope to get it wrong.

 

[Beeka]

Airbag safety recall campaign | Volkswagen UK

The global recall campaigns caused by a risk of fatal injury resulting from defective Takata airbags also affect Volkswagen models.

www.volkswagen.co.uk

If your VIN does not bring it back then you were not affected. Not all were and VW used a lot less of these airbags than other manufacturers. Because of the severity of this fault the manufacturers have no scope to get it wrong.

The VIN was entered on the VW Owners website, and it stated that I had a Takata airbag and it was subject to recall action. My point is that it’s not flagged up on the Gov or VW service systems, so double check.

 

[dspuk]

The VIN was entered on the VW Owners website, and it stated that I had a Takata airbag and it was subject to recall action. My point is that it’s not flagged up on the Gov or VW service systems, so double check.

TBH I don't know anything about the VW Owners club site nor their check process and background database but the only legally compliant one is the official VW or UK Gov one.

 

[Beeka]

TBH I don't know anything about the VW Owners club site nor their check process and background database but the only legally compliant one is the official VW or UK Gov one.

 

[Beeka]

TBH, looks pretty legal to me..

 

[dspuk]

TBH, looks pretty legal to me..
View attachment 138543View attachment 138543

This is the VW main manufacturer website. I think the confusion is calling it a VW Owners Website - like this one or https://vwownersclub.co.uk/.

You are right though that it should be flagged on the service system as well when you go see a dealer and that is on them.

 

[Beeka]

This is the VW main manufacturer website. I think the confusion is calling it a VW Owners Website - like this one or https://vwownersclub.co.uk/.

You are right though that it should be flagged on the service system as well when you go see a dealer and that is on them.

Good point well made. Apologies for the confusion (again!).

 

[paddymounter]

I plugged my VIN in and it came back saying my vehicle was affected. I rang the dealership and the service manager said according to his system my vehicle was not affected! I have sent him an email asking him to clarify the situation. I.e. put it in writing so if I do have an accident or if a future buyer asks me the question reference the recall I will have some sort of documentation saying my vehicle is exempt!

 

[paddymounter]

I plugged my VIN in and it came back saying my vehicle was affected. I rang the dealership and the service manager said according to his system my vehicle was not affected! I have sent him an email asking him to clarify the situation. I.e. put it in writing so if I do have an accident or if a future buyer asks me the question reference the recall I will have some sort of documentation saying my vehicle is exempt!

Airbag safety recall campaign | Volkswagen UK

The global recall campaigns caused by a risk of fatal injury resulting from defective Takata airbags also affect Volkswagen models.

www.volkswagen.co.uk

 

[paddymounter]

Airbag safety recall campaign | Volkswagen UK

The global recall campaigns caused by a risk of fatal injury resulting from defective Takata airbags also affect Volkswagen models.

www.volkswagen.co.uk

Dear xxxxx

Thank you for speaking to me today.

I have included the information available to me as a VW California Owner from the Volkswagen uk website: https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/owners-and-services/my-car/takata-airbag-recall-campaign.html

Unfortunately unlike the information you gave me from your system, it does not go any further to state that my vehicle is exempt from the recall, only that it is 'affected'.

As it is a safety system you can understand that I need this reassurance should the vehicle be involved in an accident or when I come to sell the vehicle should the buyer request the recall information.


Can you please reply with the relevant information as you discussed which declares that my vehicle does not require the Takata Airbag Recall?


Thank you

Regards

Mr E Mounter (Paddy)

 

[pete&gill]

I have had the same experience with the dealership saying there is a recall but no action is required!!

 

[Beeka]

Airbag safety recall campaign | Volkswagen UK

The global recall campaigns caused by a risk of fatal injury resulting from defective Takata airbags also affect Volkswagen models.

www.volkswagen.co.uk

Unfortunately, no amount of documentation is going to stop hot shards of metal whizzing round the cabin should the airbag deploy…

 

[Beeka]

Update re Takata airbag. VW in Exeter said they would “check it” when they have the van in for it’s 3rd roof replacement in October as it wasn’t on their system yet (although they knew of the problem), whilst VW Bristol have now acted promptly with a recall reference from VW HQ and it is booked in for 21 July.
Moral is; Don’t be fobbed off by lazy service departments, it’s your neck on the line, not their’s…

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Tricky.
Take my 08 van to a VW dealer - v - painful death.

Its a tie.

 

[The Fockers]

Anyone know why the VW UK check asks you to choose a country from a list that does not include UK; United Kingdom; Great Britain; England. If you don't choose a country it just shuts down!

UK is on the list.

 

[Beeka]

Tricky.
Take my 08 van to a VW dealer - v - painful death.

Its a tie.

The airbag recall and replacement is free. However, I agree with not using main dealer for our 2010 Cali - I am fortunate to have an excellent commercial service garage within walking distance for things I can’t do myself

 

[ThomasHJ]

Contacted VW Netherlands since my VW Dealer brushed me off in march, saying they didn't know anything about the Takat airbag-problem and could do nothing as long as VW Netherlands did not issue a recall fo rmy vehicle. Talked to a friendly lady at VW Netherlands who directed me to a VW website where I could enter my VIN (as I had already done in march and which was the reason for me to contact my dealer).

Got a standard message which uses interestinlgy chosen wordings to say that my vehicle is --currently-- not affected by a recall. Notice how it doesn't say it's not affected by -the problem-. It then says the recall is managed based on the age of the vehicle (mine is 2011, so right inside the affected years which are 2008-2015) and weather conditions (warm and humid). In The UK the weather seems reason for a recall, in the Netherlands not. Basically it seems like a lot of BS to me and they seem fine with letting me continue to drive a vehicle with a potentially lethal fault.

I send the following e-mail to VW Netherlands to ask for clarification but I am getting nowhere.

Dear Volkswagen Customer Service,

I am writing to request further clarification regarding the Takata airbag installed in my Volkswagen T5.1 California from 2011, with VIN-NR [XXXXXXXXXX]


I have used your official VIN recall checker, which confirmed that my vehicle is equipped with a Takata driver airbag, but is not currently part of an active recall. While I appreciate this information, I am concerned by the fact that:

• The Takata airbag in my vehicle is acknowledged, yet not covered under a recall at this time.
• Recalls have historically expanded over time, often years after initial findings, based on evolving testing and risk assessment.
• Your system advises me to continue checking periodically, which suggests a known potential for future inclusion.

Given the life-threatening nature of Takata airbag defects and the well-documented global recall history, I kindly but firmly request the following:

1. The exact part number or inflator model (e.g. PSPI, NADI, etc.) of the Takata airbag module installed in my vehicle.
2. Whether this airbag model has been subject to a recall in other regions (e.g., North America, Australia, Asia).
3. The basis for excluding this specific unit from the current recall – particularly if testing has been conducted on the installed component type.
4. Whether my VIN is currently being monitored under an "extended risk analysis" or listed in any safety advisory programs.
5. If I can be added to a proactive notification list, so I will be informed immediately if recall status changes.

I take safety very seriously and am requesting this information to make an informed decision about the long-term use of my vehicle. I would appreciate a transparent and technically specific response.

Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to your reply.