Volkswagen Recall Campaign: What You Need to Know
Volkswagen has recently launched a recall campaign for several models due to the significant danger posed by faulty passenger airbags. Affected models include the Polo, Passat, Taigo, ID.7, ID.7 Tourer, and the ID.Buzz, totaling about 16,510 vehicles worldwide. These come from the most recent production months.
What is the Problem?
The airbags on the passenger side may not only exhibit reduced protective function in the event of an accident, but there is also a risk that the gas generator housing could burst or parts could become detached. This could lead to serious or fatal injuries.
Volkswagen has already begun notifying vehicle owners and is urgently advising them to:
- Deactivate the passenger airbag immediately (available via a switch on the dashboard).
- Avoid using the passenger seat for the time being (except for young children in rear-facing infant carriers).
Defective airbags will be repaired at Volkswagen workshops, taking between one to three hours.
Economic and Legal Implications
Such recall campaigns are important for investors, as they can damage Volkswagen’s image and lead to financial burdens due to repair costs and potential legal consequences. In the short term, pressure on the stock price could increase.
A Look at the Industry
It should be noted that similar issues with faulty airbags also affect other automakers, most recently Citroën, which recalled 441,000 vehicles due to defective Takata airbags.
These incidents highlight the risks of defective supplier parts and their far-reaching effects on the safety and economic stability of automakers like Volkswagen.