Volkswagen Passat Recall R/1999/001: Tow Bar Ball End May Loosen, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 15 Jan 1999
- Launched
- 224
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1999/001
- DVSA reference
Volkswagen recalled Passat vehicles built between 1 January 1996 and 30 June 1998. Advised by manufacturer for vehicles with PEKA tow bar the description of the ball end installation in the instruction manual is unclear. The recall notice describes the fix as: a new instruction manual will be sent to owners of affected vehicles. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Advised by manufacturer for vehicles with PEKA tow bar the description of the ball end installation in the instruction manual is unclear. In isolated cases the ball end can loosen because of a wrong installation.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: TOW BAR BALL END MAY LOOSEN Defect: Advised by manufacturer for vehicles with PEKA tow bar the description of the ball end installation in the instruction manual is unclear. In isolated cases the ball end can loosen because of a wrong installation. Remedy: A new instruction manual will be sent to owners of affected vehicles.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: tow bar ball end may loosen.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: a new instruction manual will be sent to owners of affected vehicles.
Are You Affected?
Passat built between 1 January 1996 and 30 June 1998 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 224 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/1999/001. 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?.
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This is one of 220 Volkswagen recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volkswagen recall launched before it was R/1998/052 on 17 Jul 1998, for 1) air mass meter grid may detach and jam throttle open & fuel pipes & 2) metal brake…. The one launched after it was R/2001/006 on 22 Jan 2001, for child seat security concern. You can also see every Volkswagen recall and all recalls launched in 1999.
Source: DVSA recall R/1999/001, launched 15 January 1999. 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.