Berlin, Germany — October 06, 2015 — Several different models of Volkswagen cars are being recalled due to an airbag failure concern across North America. While the manufacturer has yet to discover any actual occurrences, the affected vehicles could suffer from a steering wheel clock spring” problem that will interfere with the system responsible for airbag deployment. The recall will include popular models such as the Passat and Jetta.

As Reuters reports, more than 420,000 of the recalled vehicles are in the United States, as opposed to the 41,300 in Canada subject to the same source. Model years for the recalled vehicles fall between 2010 and 2014.

The Part 573 Recall Safety Report available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration details the specific conditions which could lead to airbag failure in these vehicles. Although the spring itself won’t keep the airbag from inflating, it is susceptible to contamination from outside debris, leading to a lost electrical connection.

“Should the cable tear, the electrical connection to the driver’s front airbag may be lost, causing the airbag monitoring indicator light to illuminate,” the source says. “In a crash that warrants a driver front airbag deployment, the airbag may not deploy, leading to a risk of driver injury.” The source also says that such contamination can be caused by “long hair or long fibers” displacing the guide loops.

As of July 30, the nature of the remedy for this condition as well as a timeline for its implementation had yet to be determined. However, drivers can refer to the airbag monitoring indicator light, which should correctly alert them to problems with the clock spring.

Detroit, MI — July 30, 2015 — According to documents published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, Volkswagen Group of America has recalled thousands of Audi SQ5 vehicles that may suffer an defect that shuts down electric power steering for the driver during inopportune times. Although the source describes the 5,625 vehicles as having been “potentially affected,” it also states that 100 percent are estimated to have defect.

The recall action dates back to this February, when power steering warranty complaints were issued in regards to the cold weather, and concerns SQ5’s produced in two separate timeframes: between May 22 2013 to May 28 2014, and between May 20 2014 and April 14 2015. The recall was also spurred on after a vehicle inquiry issued from Transport Canada in March.

As the safety recall report describes, the steering failure poses a special threat in low speeds, in which it will be harder to control the vehicles. Fortunately, owners can count on some warning signs to preemptively take action.

“If a customer sees a power steering indicator light come on in the instrument panel and the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, they should immediately contact the nearest authorized dealer or qualified workshop in order to have the vehicle inspected,” the source states. The remedy will include an update to the power steering software in these vehicles.

When defects in vehicles only show themselves in certain circumstance, an owner can accidentally put themselves in danger without realizing it. Auto recall statements need to reach everyone at possible risk, and entrusting this task to professionals is one way to ensure it gets done correctly.

Chattanooga, TN — July 8, 2015 — It may be small compared to some of the recent record-setting recall numbers, but Volkswagen is taking action to address brake problems in certain vehicles produced earlier this year. A recall acknowledgement document dated July 6 recorded National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notice of this recall, which concerns Passat sedans.

A total of 62 units may have been potentially affected by this fault, according to the source, and all of these vehicles were produced within a specific three-day period this past May. Owners are advised to have the vehicle inspected if the brake warning light turns on in their vehicle or if a “wet spot” appears under where the sedans were parked. Dealers should keep affected vehicles separated from others to avoid selling them accidentally.

The acknowledgement statement identifies the particular brake problem, which will not require any extra parts to replace. There have not yet been any accidents or injuries connected to this issue.

“The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened,” the document states. “If the brake line was not properly tightened, it may leak brake fluid, causing a reduction in braking performance, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of crash.”

Although many of the actions needed to correct a vehicle problem may be similar, every recall will have its own specifics and symptoms to watch out for that owners and dealers alike should be aware of. For recalls large and small, entrusting the informative process to professionals ensures that only the right information will reach those that need it.

Detroit, MI — June 12, 2015 — Documents on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website recently explained a new recall from Volkswagen Group of America. This month, the manufacturer is recalling Tiguan SUVs that were produced within the first three months of 2015. As many as 2,957 units have been affected by incorrect information labels that may cause confusion among owners an operators.

According to the source, these vehicles could bear incorrect certifications that list the wrong weight and loading limits information, in addition to omitting important details about tire pressure. In the official recall acknowledgment statement, Jennifer Timian, the Office of Defects Investigations’ chief of Recall Management Division, said that owners could unintentionally overload vehicles that don’t have the correct information listed on them. Although the statement was released on June 9, the manufacturer’s report date is listed as May 15.

In a separate FAQ document about this recall, Volkswagen gave specific instructions to dealers who may have affected cars to take care of.

“Dealers can use their most current OMD Web/VIM report to identify any affected vehicles that may be in their inventory,” this statement reads. “In the interest of customer safety and satisfaction, affected vehicles should be kept in a secure area where they cannot be made available for sale, lease, trade or demo use until this repair has been performed.” The remedy will reportedly include simply changing the information on the certification label so it is correct. Dealers will be able to do this for free.

Verified recall information will give consumers and dealers the assurance that the information is accurate. The statements have to be disseminated to all the right people in each situation, so even the most minor faults are corrected on time and affected vehicles aren’t sold illegally.