Volkswagen Crafter Recall R/2016/040: Bonded Windows And/or Fastening Rails May Detach, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 11 Mar 2016
- Launched
- 10
- vehicles in the UK
- 51F4
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Volkswagen recalled Crafter vehicles built between 1 September 2015 and 31 October 2015. Some vehicles have poor paint adhesion which can lead to a reduced retaining force of the bonded windows/fastening rails. The recall notice describes the fix as: that are likely to be affected to remove the windscreen and prepare and repaint the receiving surfaces then re-bond the windscreen. If there are also windows in the load area these will be treated the same. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Some vehicles have poor paint adhesion which can lead to a reduced retaining force of the bonded windows/fastening rails. The windows may not remain attached to the vehicle when it is subject to high forces during a collision.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: BONDED WINDOWS AND/OR FASTENING RAILS MAY DETACH Defect: It is possible that some vehicles have poor paint adhesion which can lead to a reduced retaining force of the bonded windows/fastening rails. The windows may not remain attached to the vehicle when it is subject to high forces during a collision. Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to remove the windscreen and prepare and repaint the receiving surfaces then re-bond the windscreen. If there are also windows in the load area these will be treated the same.
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 a reduced retaining force of the bonded windows/fastening rails.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: that are likely to be affected to remove the windscreen and prepare and repaint the receiving surfaces then re-bond the windscreen. If there are also windows in the load area these will be treated the same.
Are You Affected?
Crafter built between 1 September 2015 and 31 October 2015 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 10 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 51F4 or the DVSA reference R/2016/040. 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 | |
| CrafterNatural gas system leak test | Low | R/2024/360 | |
| CrafterTakata front passenger airbag | Urgent | R/2024/263 | |
| Beetle (5C), Crafter, EOS (1F), FOX (5Z) and 18 moreTakata front airbag | Urgent | R/2023/178 | |
| CrafterThe side or rear windows may become loose | Low | R/2020/257 |
This is one of 220 Volkswagen recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volkswagen recall launched before it was R/2016/025 on 18 Feb 2016, for braking performance may be affected. The one launched after it was R/2016/028 on 22 Mar 2016, for unintentional deployment of an airbag. You can also see every Volkswagen recall and all recalls launched in 2016.
Source: DVSA recall R/2016/040, launched 11 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.