195 of the
2,009 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Golf
are about the airbag system —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
15V483000 (VW Recall Code 69L2) was issued for 2014 Volkswagen Golf's indicating a "clock spring" affecting a cable that powers the air bag. This is indicated also by the airbag emergency light coming on. I believe a similar, if not the same, issue is occurring in my 2015 VW Golf. Furthermore, the issue has affected all mechanical buttons on the steering wheel. I had taken my vehicle to a VW mechanic that indicated a recall had been issued for this problem. However, upon my own further investigation, I found 2014 was the cut off year for the recall. The issue appeared during the winter last year. I did contact my nearest VW dealership to instigate as to if this issue could be repaired under the aforementioned recall for the 2014. I was informed they could not. As this is an issue in pervious models and is a safety concern, I am issuing this letter in hopes this safety issue could be repaired at the expense of Volkswagen.
NHTSA complaint #11750947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting a severe safety system failure regarding the airbag deployment force on a 2016 Volkswagen Golf SE. The vehicle was involved in a collision where the frontal/side air bag safety systems engaged. While the impact speed was moderate, the airbag deployment was violently disproportionate, resulting in severe, direct injuries to the occupant rather than providing the intended safety cushioning or protection. The force of the deployment appeared heavily uncalibrated, acting as a primary source of trauma rather than an emergency restraint. In contrast, the secondary vehicle involved in the identical impact matrix sustained similar property damage but experienced a completely stable, non-injurious environment with no air bag enaged at all. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident against existing vehicle data logs for 2016 Volkswagen Golf models to determine if there is an active trend of excessive pyrotechnic deployment force or uncalibrated SRS module sensors.
NHTSA complaint #11742727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Heated seats get extremely hot. Smell of burning. Possible to catch fire or burn people Vw patrick volkswagen auburn ma confirmed that electrical inspection to rule out seat recall No. No recall has been submitted yet When i first bought the car in 2025
NHTSA complaint #11736484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle and the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to contact the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted, and the vehicle was scheduled to be taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,038.
NHTSA complaint #11653958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Failure of wheel speed sensor in front right wheel. This is the THIRD time I have had a wheel speed sensor fail on this car, which has 35,000 miles on it. Failure caused loss of power steering, airbags, abs, etc.
NHTSA complaint #11610366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My clock spring has failed three times now the first few times I had it fixed at the dealership but my warranty is now no longer valid once since I bought it from the dealership and it has failed again saying my airbags deployed and none of my features on my steering wheel work at all not even my paddle shifters and nor does my horn. And this has happened every time all those things have not worked when it is gone faulty.
NHTSA complaint #11546976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light and the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V892000 (Visibility, Air Bags) however, neither the VIN nor the model vehicle was included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11541513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Airbag light came on, then all electrics to steering wheel failed, including the horn. Clock spring failed. Safety issue with no airbag and no horn. Known that VWs have a problem with clock spring failure. Should be a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11521624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clock spring issue in VW golf’s should re reinvestigated. These are failing on these cars and companies are not looking into fixes or warranty help for these devices that should last. It’s shortsighted for consumers to continue to deal with this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11508805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V543000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact mentioned that a recall notice was received confirming the remedy was available and to contact a local dealer however, the dealer informed that the part was not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distributions disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11505133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
First, the airbag warning light came on, then followed by the horn not working and cruise control was lost. I also suspecting the power steering is also gone. This is related to the clock spring failure from my research online. This should have been recall because this is a safety hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11503331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Faulty door wiring harness leading driver side blinkers to stop working, windows randomly rolling down, rear collision detector errors, engine start/stop errors.
NHTSA complaint #11502342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V543000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11488155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My airbag light came on today as I was backing out of a parking space (7/29/22 and mileage 235845), and this was after plastic creaking/cracking noises coming from my steering wheel for quite a while when I turned it. The frequency and amount of noise when I turned the wheel had increased a lot lately. This is the second time this exact thing has happened - I had to replace the clock spring in the steering wheel once before (3/19/19 at milage 154165). While I know I drive a lot, it’s mostly straight on the interstate since I live in a rural area, so I am not turning the wheel constantly. I’m hesitant about if it’s worth it to spend money on replacing it since the last time it was almost $800, and has now broken again, only 80k miles later. I know that earlier years of VWs had this part recalled and I am wondering if that should have extended to 2015s - although I’m not sure what good that would do me since the replacement one I had installed at the dealer also broke.
NHTSA complaint #11476528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shortly after acquiring this car, an airbag light appeared on the dashboard after my sister adjusted the passenger side seat. The airbag indicator showed that it was off afterward, despite my sister being adequate weight to require the airbag. Continued problems ensued when the seat would show that it was occupied (airbag on and seatbelt chime when unbuckled, even though there was no one in the seat). Now this happens sporadically, and it is unknown whether the airbag will be operational or not whenever I start the car. Often, turning the car off then back on will allow for the airbag to show it is on for a passenger. I have seen in other locations online that this is an issue that has affected other people online with this model of car.
NHTSA complaint #11473147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The steering wheel clock spring was replaced on my vehicle as part of a recall in May 2016 by a local VW dealer. Within the last month I've received an "Error: Airbag" notification on my dash. My mechanic scanned the Air Bag Control Module for codes and there was 1 in memory: B1000 Igniter for Driver's Air Bag, Resistance Too Large". I understand that the defective Air bag clock spring replacement part is unavailable as it has been nationally on back order for the past year, and 7,000 vehicles are waiting for the part. This issue has affected everything controlled through the steering wheel, including my horn, making the otherwise perfectly good car unsafe and perhaps illegal to drive. Both the dealership and VW of American Customer Care have been unable to offer me an interim solution (at least offering a horn).
NHTSA complaint #11471720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clockspring broken it’s the third time in 4 years. I was pulling out of a parking lot making a left turn. There was a ratcheting sound from the steering wheel. I then had an airbag error and none of the steering wheel mounted controls were working including the horn. The defective part is still installed.
NHTSA complaint #11446968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.