Volkswagen Recalls Select Models Over Airbag Safety Issue

A traffic light shines in front of a Volkswagen logo at the Volkswagen plant in Osnabruck, Germany, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa via AP

Several Volkswagen models have been recalled in Canada due to potentially dangerous defects in the air bag system.

A recall has been initiated by Volkswagen for the Beetle models produced between 2017 and 2019, along with the Passat models from the years 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

The airbag issue impacts 8,892 vehicles, according to recall notices published by Transport Canada on Oct. 30 and revised Nov. 4.

The notices say that airbag inflators in affected Volkswagen vehicles could potentially rupture during deployment, propelling fragments toward passengers.

“If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury,” the notice says.

“Fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.”

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity, combined with temperature fluctuations, can cause the propellant in the driver-front airbag to deteriorate, the notice says. This degradation could cause the airbag to deploy with increased force.

The Volkswagen models being recalled are:

• Volkswagen Passat 2006
• Volkswagen Passat 2007
•  Volkswagen Passat 2012
•  Volkswagen Passat 2013
•  Volkswagen Passat 2014
•  Volkswagen Beetle 2017
•  Volkswagen Beetle 2018
•  Volkswagen Beetle 2019

Vehicle owners will be contacted by Volkswagen through mail. The company is recommending they visit a dealership as soon as possible to have the driver-front airbag replaced.

The recall is being conducted as a precaution “to address future risk,” Transport Canada says. It is expected all airbag inflators will be replaced before their performance is compromised.

Volkswagen is also recalling 114,478 vehicles of the same years and models in the United States for the same safety concern, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

GM Recalling 50,000 Vehicles

GM is recalling more than 50,000 Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet SUV and pickup truck models due to increased crash risk. This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a diesel engine, according to the Transport Canada advisory issued Oct. 24 and updated on Nov. 1.

The transmission control valve is susceptible to wear, which can lead to a decrease in pressure over time. If this occurs, it can lead to harsh shifting of the transmission and potentially result in the locking of the rear wheels.

“Rear wheels that lock suddenly could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash,” the recall says.

The impacted vehicle models are:

• 2021 Cadillac Escalade
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
• 2020 to 2022 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2020 to 2022 Chevrolet Silverado HD
• 2021 Chevrolet Suburban
• 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2020 to 2022 GMC Sierra
• 2020 to 2022 GMC Sierra HD
• 2021 GMC Yukon
• 2021 GMC Yukon XL

Owners of affected vehicles will receive a notification from GM in the mail.