Volkswagen Polo Recall R/2007/050: Seat May Catch Fire, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 30 Apr 2007
- Launched
- 433
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2007/050
- DVSA reference
Volkswagen recalled Polo vehicles built between 1 May 2005 and 28 February 2007. Due to an incorrectly sewn-in tension wire strap for the back-rest cover of the front seats there may be contact between the tension wire of the seat and the filaments of the seat heater. The recall notice describes the fix as: recalled vehicles will have the tension wires of the front seats insulated. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Due to an incorrectly sewn-in tension wire strap for the back-rest cover of the front seats there may be contact between the tension wire of the seat and the filaments of the seat heater. The resulting short circuit can lead to fire damage on the front seat covers.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: SEAT MAY CATCH FIRE Defect: It has been identified that due to an incorrectly sewn-in tension wire strap for the back-rest cover of the front seats there may be contact between the tension wire of the seat and the filaments of the seat heater. The resulting short circuit can lead to fire damage on the front seat covers. Remedy: Recalled vehicles will have the tension wires of the front seats insulated.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could lead to fire damage on the front seat covers.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: recalled vehicles will have the tension wires of the front seats insulated.
Are You Affected?
Polo built between 1 May 2005 and 28 February 2007 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 433 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/2007/050. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PoloCheck rear axle bolted connection | Stop driving | R/2025/385 | |
| Beetle, Crafter, EOS, FOX and 9 moreTakata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement | Stop driving | R/2025/357 | |
| ID.7, Id.buzz, Passat, Polo and 1 moreReplace front passenger airbag | Urgent | R/2025/208 | |
| PoloThe driver's airbag may not correctly deploy if activated | Urgent | R/2022/274 | |
| PoloThe roof spoiler may not have been bonded to the rear lid with the specified process materials | Book soon | R/2022/115 |
This is one of 220 Volkswagen recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volkswagen recall launched before it was R/2006/221 on 5 Mar 2007, for wipers may detach. The one launched after it was R/2007/099 on 21 Aug 2007, for fuel pump may fail: engine may cut out. You can also see every Volkswagen recall, all recalls launched in 2007 and fire risk recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2007/050, launched 30 April 2007. 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.