Volkswagen EOS, Golf, Jetta And 2 More Recall R/2017/189: Abs/esc System May Fail, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 20 Jun 2017
- Launched
- 64,192
- vehicles in the UK
- 45F2
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Volkswagen recalled EOS, Golf, Jetta and 2 more vehicles built between 1 June 2008 and 31 May 2010. With ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. The dealer will fit where necessary a new ABS/ESC control unit. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
With ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: ABS/ESC SYSTEM MAY FAIL Defect: On vehicles with ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system Remedy: On affected vehicles install new software. Where necessary a new ABS/ESC control unit will be fitted.
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 failure of the ABS/ESC system.
The Fix
The dealer will fit where necessary a new ABS/ESC control unit. The fix is a software update, which usually takes under an hour at the dealer.
Are You Affected?
EOS, Golf, Jetta and 2 more built between 1 June 2008 and 31 May 2010 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 64,192 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 45F2 or the DVSA reference R/2017/189. 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 | |
| GolfFront belt webbing | Low | R/2025/257 | |
| GolfFront belt webbing | Low | R/2025/256 | |
| GolfAnalysis vehicle modification | Low | R/2024/266 | |
| 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 |
This is one of 220 Volkswagen recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volkswagen recall launched before it was R/2017/079 on 22 Mar 2017, for airbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident. The one launched after it was R/2017/294 on 17 Nov 2017, for rear wheel bearing housings may be incorrectly manufactured and could fail prematurely. You can also see every Volkswagen recall, all recalls launched in 2017 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2017/189, launched 20 June 2017. 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.