Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published June 30, 2021
Volkswagen 2020 Jetta Air Bags Deploy Improperly Risking Injury
Volkswagen recalls 2020-2021 Jetta models with air bag control module welded incorrectly, risking improper deployment during crashes or unintended activation.
Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
“Volkswagen 2020 Jetta Air Bags Deploy Improperly Risking Injury.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/80167-volkswagen-2020-jetta-air-bags-deploy-improperly-risking-injury. Based on NHTSA recall #21V492000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V492000).
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. recalled certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles due to incorrectly positioned air bag control modules, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on June 30, 2021. Dealers will replace the module free of charge.
How to tell if you have it
Volkswagen Jetta, 2020-2021
Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2020-2021
What to do
Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
The hazard
The incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has 276 other recalls on record since October 20, 2014. Other recent recalls of similar products include Chrysler Pacifica Air Bags May Not Deploy (June 2, 2026), Mercedes-Benz Metris 2023 Air Bags (June 2, 2026), and Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC (March 27, 2026). NHTSA has received 54 owner complaints for the 2020 Jetta and 69 for the 2021 Jetta, with the latest reports received in September and October 2026.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your vehicle has a 2020-2021 model year Jetta or Jetta GLI. The recall was notified to owners on January 28, 2022.
Brand
Volkswagen
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Volkswagen
Call 1-800-893-5298 to schedule a replacement of the air bag control module.
Get Replacement Module
Dealers will replace the air bag control module free of charge.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
Owners were mailed letters 7 months after NHTSA received the defect report.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Volkswagen
We’ve drafted a message you can send Volkswagen to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V492000 — Volkswagen 2020 Jetta Air Bags Deploy Improperly Risking Injury
Hello,
I own a Volkswagen 2020 Jetta Air Bags Deploy Improperly Risking Injury that is covered by recall 21V492000 from Volkswagen.
The official recall notice states: Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.
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.
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.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 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.