Volkswagen Passat Recall R/2018/212: Head Restraint Guide Retaining Spring May Be Faulty, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Book soon
- How serious
- 7 Aug 2018
- Launched
- 428
- vehicles in the UK
- 72H7
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Volkswagen recalled Passat vehicles built between 5 May 2018 and 18 May 2018. On Passat vehicles of a limited production period the retaining spring of the head restraint guide may be faulty because of a production problem. The recall notice describes the fix as: the left head restraint guides on both front seats have to be replaced. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
On Passat vehicles of a limited production period the retaining spring of the head restraint guide may be faulty because of a production problem. Because of a faulty retaining spring in an accident the head restraint may not be sufficiently secured in the guide and can come off the backrest. In the event of an accident the head restraint will come off the backrest increasing the risk of injury.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: HEAD RESTRAINT GUIDE RETAINING SPRING MAY BE FAULTY Defect: On Passat vehicles of a limited production period the retaining spring of the head restraint guide may be faulty because of a production problem. Because of a faulty retaining spring in an accident the head restraint may not be sufficiently secured in the guide and can come off the backrest. In the event of an accident the head restraint will come off the backrest increasing the risk of injury. Remedy: On the affected vehicles the left head restraint guides on both front seats have to be replaced.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: head restraint guide retaining spring may be faulty.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: the left head restraint guides on both front seats have to be replaced.
Are You Affected?
Passat built between 5 May 2018 and 18 May 2018 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 428 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 72H7 or the DVSA reference R/2018/212. 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
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|---|---|---|---|
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| 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/2018/217 on 22 Jul 2018, for airbag may have been incorrectly folded when passenger airbag module was produced. The one launched after it was R/2018/301 on 1 Nov 2018, for electric parking brake can be unintentionally released whwn disengaging the clutch pedal. You can also see every Volkswagen recall, all recalls launched in 2018 and suspension recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2018/212, launched 7 August 2018. 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.