Volkswagen Passat Recall R/2016/028: Unintentional Deployment Of An Airbag, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 22 Mar 2016
- Launched
- 11
- vehicles in the UK
- 69L4
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Volkswagen recalled Passat vehicles built between 1 April 2014 and 30 July 2014. Due to an incorrect manufacturing process swarf may accumulate in the airbag control module and cause a short circuit. The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles replace the airbag control module. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Due to an incorrect manufacturing process swarf may accumulate in the airbag control module and cause a short circuit. In extreme instances this may cause unintentional deployment of an air bag.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: UNINTENTIONAL DEPLOYMENT OF AN AIRBAG Defect: Due to an incorrect manufacturing process swarf may accumulate in the airbag control module and cause a short circuit. In extreme instances this may cause unintentional deployment of an air bag. Remedy: On affected vehicles replace the airbag control module.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause unintentional deployment of an air bag.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles replace the airbag control module.
Are You Affected?
Passat built between 1 April 2014 and 30 July 2014 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 11 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 69L4 or the DVSA reference R/2016/028. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Arteon, Golf, PassatOn certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment | Urgent | R/2024/014 | |
| Arteon, Golf 8, Passat, TiguanThe fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was in some cases produced with too little so-called fire sand | Urgent | R/2022/086 | |
| Golf, PassatDriver's air bag may not deploy correctly if activated | Urgent | R/2021/403 |
This is one of 220 Volkswagen recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volkswagen recall launched before it was R/2016/040 on 11 Mar 2016, for bonded windows and/or fastening rails may detach. The one launched after it was R/2016/060 on 26 Mar 2016, for brake pedal may fail and make hard braking impossible. You can also see every Volkswagen recall, all recalls launched in 2016 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2016/028, launched 22 March 2016. 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.