VW notified U.S. regulators last month that it added nearly 38,000 2015-2016 Beetle and Beetle convertibles to the list of cars equipped with defective Takata air bags. NHTSA is allowing OEMs to recall vehicles equipped with Takata’s notoriously deadly, moisture-sensitive airbag inflators, starting with older vehicles in warm, humid climates and moving to drier states and Updated car models.
This expansion follows the addition of the 2012-2014 Beetle to the list, which was first added to the list in December 2020. Volkswagen said the inflators posed no immediate threat, but with time and exposure to moisture, the likelihood of failure increased.
“The Takata SDI-D driver’s front airbag inflators installed in the recalled vehicles do not presently pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety for drivers of the affected vehicles,” Volkswagen’s recall report said. “Based on previous conversations with NHTSA, Volkswagen has learned that the agency is concerned that after a period of time, air bag inflators may not function properly in the event of a crash. Out of an abundance of caution, Volkswagen Agreed to recall certain vehicles specified here containing SDI-D Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (“PSAN”) airbag inflators, which are dry inflators containing 2004 propellant.”
The automaker continues to urge owners of Takata’s publicly recalled vehicles to refrain from driving their cars and get their cars repaired as soon as possible (for free).
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