Volkswagen Caravelle, Transporter Recall R/1993/010: Inadvertent Release Of Handbrake, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 10 May 1993
- Launched
- 3,918
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1993/010
- DVSA reference
Volkswagen recalled Caravelle, Transporter vehicles built between 1 October 1990 and 31 May 1992. The pawl spring fitted as original equipment to the parking brake may be insufficiently long and consequently fail to exert enough pressure to ensure that the pawl engages positively in the ratchet teeth. The dealer will replace the original pawl spring with a longer version. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The pawl spring fitted as original equipment to the parking brake may be insufficiently long and consequently fail to exert enough pressure to ensure that the pawl engages positively in the ratchet teeth. This could allow the parking brake to release.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: INADVERTENT RELEASE OF HANDBRAKE Defect: The pawl spring fitted as original equipment to the parking brake may be insufficiently long and consequently fail to exert enough pressure to ensure that the pawl engages positively in the ratchet teeth. This could allow the parking brake to release Remedy: Recall the affected vehicles and replace the original pawl spring with a longer version.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: inadvertent release of handbrake.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the original pawl spring with a longer version.
Are You Affected?
Caravelle, Transporter built between 1 October 1990 and 31 May 1992 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 3,918 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Volkswagen, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Volkswagen.
- Book with any franchised Volkswagen dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1993/010. See how to get a Volkswagen recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
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|---|---|---|---|
| TransporterCorrect speed restriction | Low | R/2026/320 | |
| Beetle, Crafter, EOS, FOX and 9 moreTakata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement | Stop driving | R/2025/357 | |
| Beetle (5C), Crafter, EOS (1F), FOX (5Z) and 18 moreTakata front airbag | Urgent | R/2023/178 | |
| TransporterPossibility of humidity ingress in the bowden cables of the doors | Book soon | R/2020/174 | |
| Bora, Golf, Passat, TransporterDriver airbag generator housing could come loose | Urgent | R/2019/019 |
This is one of 220 Volkswagen recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volkswagen recall launched before it was R/1993/011 on 26 Apr 1993, for steering shaft clamping bolts may loosen. The one launched after it was R/1993/028 on 28 Jun 1993, for chafing of wiring looms and possible fuel leakage. You can also see every Volkswagen recall, the Volkswagen Transporter recall history, all recalls launched in 1993 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1993/010, launched 10 May 1993. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.