Volkswagen Transporter recalls
Recalls to 31 Oct 2026, from DVSA's file. Each recall shows its own launch date.
DVSA lists 22 safety recalls naming the Volkswagen Transporter, launched from 1992 to 2026. Most recalls cover only cars built in certain dates or chassis number ranges, so check a specific car on GOV.UK's recall check.
Volkswagen Transporter recalls at a glance
- Recalls
- 22
- 1992 to 2026
- Latest recall
- 8 October 2026
- R/2026/384
Source: DVSA RecallsFile.csv, recalls launched from 1992 to October 2026, downloaded 31 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0.
Every Volkswagen Transporter recall
Newest first. The concern is the part or system affected, the defect is what can go wrong, and the remedy is what the manufacturer does to put it right.
Rear lid gas strut
R/2026/384, launched 8 October 2026
Defect: For affected vehicles applying excess pressure to open the rear lid to its end position may cause the upper ball socket to detach from the gas strut allowing the rear lid to fall without restraint as one gas strut alone cannot hold it open.
Remedy: The gas struts of the rear lid will be checked and if necessary replaced.
Correct speed restriction
R/2026/320, launched 17 August 2026
Defect: On affected vehicles the speed limit of 70 mph is not implemented as described in the technical data and stated in the vehicle registration document.
Remedy: Adjust the software in various control units.
Rear axle shock absorbers
R/2025/475, launched 3 November 2025, 8 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: On affected vehicles there is a possibility the rear axle shock absorbers could break.
Remedy: Check and replace the rear shock absorbers if necessary.
Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
R/2025/357, launched 22 August 2025. Also covers the Beetle, Crafter, Eos, Fox, Golf, Passat, Polo, Sharan, Us Passat, XL1, up!
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.
Takata Front airbag
R/2023/178, launched 13 June 2023. Also covers the Beetle, Crafter, Eos, Fox, Golf, Passat, Polo, Sharan, Tiguan, Us Passat (A3), XL1 (6Z), up!
Defect: The function of the driver airbag inflators can degrade due to air and moisture ingress.
Remedy: Replace airbag
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT TYRES COULD SUDDENLY LOSE AIR
R/2022/010, launched 30 December 2021, 370 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: There is a possibility that tyres could suddenly lose air.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the production data (DOT number) of all tyres including spare wheel are checked and if necessary tyres will be replaced.
WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW ZERO THE DOOR LOCK BOWDEN CABLES CAN FREEZE
R/2021/344, launched 21 September 2021, 3,046 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: With temperatures below zero the door lock Bowden cables can freeze.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the door Bowden cables are replaced and all door locks are given a sealing foil.
WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW ZERO THE DOOR LOCK BOWDEN CABLES CAN FREEZE
R/2021/343, launched 21 September 2021, 23,068 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: With temperatures below zero the door lock Bowden cables can freeze.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the door Bowden cables are replaced and all door locks are given a sealing foil.
POSSIBILITY OF HUMIDITY INGRESS IN THE BOWDEN CABLES OF THE DOORS
R/2020/174, launched 3 June 2020, 8,208 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: Possibility of humidity ingress in the Bowden cables of the doors due to missing seals.
Remedy: Remove cables and humidity and seal off. Poznan produced cables to be replaced.
THE ELECTRIC CHILD LOCK MAY NOT BE MECHANICALLY LOCKED ALTHOUGH SWITCHED ON BY DRIVER
R/2020/089, launched 19 March 2020, 5 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: Under very specific conditions the electric child lock is not mechanically locked although it has been switched on by the driver.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the software of the on-board supply control unit has to be reconfigured.
DRIVER AIRBAG GENERATOR HOUSING COULD COME LOOSE
R/2019/019, launched 24 January 2019, 786 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the Bora, Golf, Passat
Defect: Increased humidity may have got into the propellant of the gas generator for the drivers air bag.
Remedy: The gas generator of the front airbag on the driver side is replaced.
AIRBAG/BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT TRIGGER IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT
R/2017/079, launched 22 March 2017, 3,879 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the Crafter, Golf, Passat, Scirocco, Tiguan, Touran, up!
Defect: Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision
Remedy: On affected vehicles replace air bag assembly and seatbelt pretensioner where necessary.
SIDE AIRBAG OF FRONT LEFT SEAT MAY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY IN COLLISION & MAY HAVE SOME PASSENGER COLLISION PROTECTION MISSING
R/2016/112, launched 27 May 2016, 235 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: On affected vehicles the near side front side air bag may have been incorrectly fitted in its module. As a result it may not deploy as intended during a collision increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: On affected vehicles replace the nearside front side airbag.
2ND ROW SEAT BACKREST MAY NOT LATCH CORRECTLY
R/2006/205, launched 15 January 2007, 4,524 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: The back-rest of the 2nd seat row may not completely latch in. In an accident this could increase the risk of injury because the seat belts are attached to the back-rest.
Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the bowden cable of the double seat bench.
HANDBRAKE MAY FAIL
R/2005/163, launched 7 December 2005, 8,345 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: The handbrake may not fully engage and a sudden release of the handbrake potentially allowing the vehicle to 'run away' cannot be ruled out.
Remedy: Recall the likely to be affected vehicles and replace the handbrake lever and the push button.
BOLTS OF THE TANDEM FUEL PUMP COVER MAY BREAK
R/2004/210, launched 24 February 2005, 4,102 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the Caddy
Defect: It is advised that on some vehicles fitted with a 3 and 4 cylinder pump injector engine the bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break due to a bolt production fault. As a result the pump housing will not be tight and a diesel fuel leak may occur.
Remedy: Recalled vehicles will have the pump checked for being of a certain manufacture. If found to be within the affected range the pump housing cover bolts will be replaced.
STEERING RACK MOUNTINGS MAY LOOSEN
R/2004/043, launched 2 June 2004, 5,916 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: Wax residue may not have been removed from the steering rack attachment points on the subframe which may result in a loosening of the steering rack.
Remedy: Recall affected vehicles remove wax from the attachment area and re-tighten rack. At the same time the cooling fan control unit will be checked and if necessary replaced on affected vehicles.
LOOSENING OF STEERING U/J CLAMPING BOLT
R/1994/032, launched 1 September 1994, 4,813 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the Caravelle
Defect: The steering shaft top universal clamping bolt may loosen .This will allow free movement in the steering and if not rectified could lead to loss of steering control.
Remedy: Recall the affected vehicles and replace the steering shaft top universal clamping bolt and nut with new components.
WATER INGRESS TO INJECTORS
R/1993/072, launched 9 December 1993, 80 vehicles affected across the models it covers
Defect: It is possible for water to enter the injection mechanism resulting in a sudden loss of engine power.
Remedy: Recall the affected vehicles for replacement of the fuel distributors injectors and hoses.
INADVERTENT RELEASE OF HANDBRAKE
R/1993/010, launched 10 May 1993, 3,918 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the Caravelle
Defect: The pawl spring fitted as original equipment to the parking brake may be insufficiently long and consequently fail to exert enough pressure to ensure that the pawl engages positively in the ratchet teeth. This could allow the parking brake to release
Remedy: Recall the affected vehicles and replace the original pawl spring with a longer version.
STEERING SHAFT CLAMPING BOLTS MAY LOOSEN
R/1993/011, launched 26 April 1993, 74 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the Caravelle
Defect: The clamp bolt on one of three steering column universal couplings may not have been fully tightened on initial assembly. Should this bolt loosen it could allow excess free movement in the steering and if not rectified loss of steering control.
Remedy: Recall the affected vehicles check the torque of the subject bolt and where necessary re-tighten it to the manufacturers specifications. Where a clamp bolt is found to be below the specified torque the splines on the shaft will be examined for
STEERING RACK AND LOWER WISHBONE FASTENINGS AND CHAFING OF THE LIGHT SWITCH HARNESS
R/1992/032, launched 27 June 1992, 3,066 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the Caravelle
Defect: b) The light switch harness may chafe on the dash support with a consequent fire risk. Note that the scope of the defect will depend upon the particular chassis number of the vehicle.
Remedy: Recall the affected vehicles and b) Secure the light switch harness and protect it by fitting beading to the edge of the dash support.
Source: DVSA RecallsFile.csv, recalls launched from 1992 to October 2026, downloaded 31 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0.
What to do next
If you own a Volkswagen Transporter, check its registration on GOV.UK and ask a Volkswagen dealer whether any recall work is outstanding. If you are buying one, ask the seller for proof the work was done, and run a Motoring Insider history check for finance, write-offs and the MOT history.