Volkswagen Beetle, Crafter, EOS And 10 More Recall R/2025/357: Takata Front Drivers Or Passenger Airbag Replacement, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Stop driving
- How serious
- 22 Aug 2025
- Launched
- 279
- vehicles in the UK
- DS69
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Volkswagen recalled Beetle, Crafter, EOS and 10 more vehicles built between 28 September 2005 and 30 April 2016. Urgent Safety Warning: Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Our information shows your vehicle was originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Issue: The front airbag in your VW vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. The dealer will replace the front airbag. You won't usually pay for it.1
The manufacturer’s notice tells owners not to use it. Ask for collection or a home repair.
The manufacturer's notice tells owners not to drive until the repair is done. Ask Volkswagen to collect the car. See do not drive recalls.
What’s Wrong
Urgent Safety Warning: Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Our information shows your vehicle was originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Issue: The front airbag in your VW vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement Defect: Urgent Safety Warning - Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Our information shows your vehicle was originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Issue: The front airbag in your VW vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle. Remedy: The front airbag must be replaced. Immediate Action Required: Stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact the Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM to arrange your recall service.
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 life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the front airbag.
Are You Affected?
Beetle, Crafter, EOS and 10 more built between 28 September 2005 and 30 April 2016 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 279 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 DS69 or the DVSA reference R/2025/357. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TransporterCorrect speed restriction | Low | R/2026/320 | |
| BeetleUSA Imported vehicle Recall Driver side airbag module replacement | Urgent | R/2026/104 | |
| PoloCheck rear axle bolted connection | Stop driving | R/2025/385 | |
| GolfFront belt webbing | Low | R/2025/257 | |
| GolfFront belt webbing | Low | R/2025/256 |
This is one of 220 Volkswagen recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volkswagen recall launched before it was R/2025/297 on 23 Jul 2025, for checking front seat backrest frame/301. The one launched after it was R/2025/385 on 28 Aug 2025, for check rear axle bolted connection. You can also see every Volkswagen recall, the Volkswagen Transporter recall history, all recalls launched in 2025 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2025/357, launched 22 August 2025. 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.