VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (2016) recall — Air Bags
Volkswagen recalls 2016 Beetle models with driver side air bag inflator that may explode due to humidity and heat exposure, risking serious injury or death.
Use caution until it’s fixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Contact the company & request your remedy
What happened, in plain English
Volkswagen is recalling 2016 Beetle vehicles with a driver's side air bag that could explode from humidity and heat exposure, potentially causing serious injury or death. Owners should have the air bag replaced at a dealer. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1227518-volkswagen-2016-beetle-air-bag-recall-risk-of-serious-injury.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1227518-volkswagen-2016-beetle-air-bag-recall-risk-of-serious-injury · Updated October 4, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #22V945000
Cite this page
“Volkswagen 2016 Beetle Air Bag Recall: Risk of Serious Injury.” GovInfoNow, updated October 4, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1227518-volkswagen-2016-beetle-air-bag-recall-risk-of-serious-injury. Based on NHTSA recall #22V945000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V945000).
Why it’s dangerous
The driver's side air bag inflator can explode after long-term exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and temperature changes. This explosion may send sharp metal fragments that could hit the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2016 Volkswagen Beetles are affected. Drivers are at higher risk due to the air bag location.
How to tell if you have this one
This recall applies to 2016 Volkswagen Beetles. The issue was first identified in 2015 models but the recall covers 2015-2016 vehicles.
- Brand
Volkswagen- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Replace Driver's Side Air Bag
Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag at no cost to the owner.
What NHTSA says to do
Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69EM.
Questions people ask
Why is this air bag being recalled?
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and temperature changes.
How can I tell if my vehicle is affected?
This recall applies to 2015-2016 Volkswagen Beetles. Owners received notification letters mailed October 26, 2023.
What should I do if I own a recalled vehicle?
Contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 to schedule a free air bag replacement at a dealer.
Contact Volkswagen
We’ve drafted a message you can send Volkswagen to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 22V945000 — Volkswagen Volkswagen Hello, I own a Volkswagen that is covered by recall 22V945000 from Volkswagen. The official recall notice states: Dealers will replace the driver's side air bag, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69EM. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #22V945000 (December 21, 2022)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 4, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.