Volkswagen Transporter Recall R/2005/163: Handbrake May Fail, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 7 Dec 2005
- Launched
- 8,345
- vehicles in the UK
- 46ES
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Volkswagen recalled Transporter vehicles built between 1 May 2003 and 30 June 2004. The handbrake may not fully engage and a sudden release of the handbrake potentially allowing the vehicle to 'run away' cannot be ruled out. The recall notice describes the fix as: recall the likely to be affected vehicles and replace the handbrake lever and the push button. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The handbrake may not fully engage and a sudden release of the handbrake potentially allowing the vehicle to 'run away' cannot be ruled out.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: HANDBRAKE MAY FAIL Defect: The handbrake may not fully engage and a sudden release of the handbrake potentially allowing the vehicle to 'run away' cannot be ruled out. Remedy: Recall the likely to be affected vehicles and replace the handbrake lever and the push button.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: handbrake may fail.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: recall the likely to be affected vehicles and replace the handbrake lever and the push button.
Are You Affected?
Transporter built between 1 May 2003 and 30 June 2004 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 8,345 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 campaign code 46ES or the DVSA reference R/2005/163. 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
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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/2005/091 on 5 Oct 2005, for flywheel may fail. The one launched after it was R/2005/181 on 8 Dec 2005, for track rod nut may not be torqued correctly and become loose. You can also see every Volkswagen recall, the Volkswagen Transporter recall history and all recalls launched in 2005.
Source: DVSA recall R/2005/163, launched 7 December 2005. 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.