A bug in the airbag propellant, so to speak.
Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 105,652 model-year 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible compacts. The Takata supplied driver’s side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.The exploding airbag sends shrapnel into the interior, which can cause serious or fatal injuries.
VW maintains that the Takata SDI-D driver frontal airbag inflators installed in the recalled vehicles currently do not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety to drivers of affected vehicles. “Based on its prior conversations with NHTSA, Volkswagen understands that the Agency is concerned that after additional time, the airbag inflator may not perform properly in the event of a crash,” VW said.
Volkswagen and the NHTSA reviewed findings from various sources, including but not limited to a study from TK Global (the successor to TK Holdings, Inc. which is the owner of bankrupt Takata), on the safety and service life of desiccated Takata airbag inflators.
Volkswagen’s internal testing of SDI-D returned parts indicated better performance than the results of other studies, including TK Global’s and did not identify any defects. “Nevertheless, in consultation with the NHTSA regarding the Agency’s evaluation of such sources, and out of an abundance of caution, Volkswagen agrees to recall certain vehicles specified herein that contain SDI-D phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (“PSAN”) airbag inflators, which are desiccated inflators containing 2004 propellant.”
Chronology
- January 15, 2020: Meeting to discuss this topic was held between Volkswagen and the NHTSA.
- January 21, 2020: Follow-up meeting between Volkswagen and the NHTSA. As an outcome of the meeting, the NHTSA clarified its expectation of a recall of all SDI-D inflators in the Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles.
- February 2020 – April 2020: Volkswagen and the NHTSA discussed the terms of a potential recall program internally and between the parties.
- April 30, 2020 – May 5, 2020: An agreement between Volkswagen and the NHTSA to address the recall of vehicles equipped with Takata SDI-D air bag inflators was reached and fully executed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and the NHTSA.
- December 9, 2020: Pursuant to the schedule set out in the agreement with the NHTSA, Volkswagen’s Product Safety Committee decided to conduct a safety recall.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge as required by law The recall is expected to begin 12 February 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 about recall 69BC covering Takata SDI-D Inflator. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number is 20V785000.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
VW Beetle Ensnared in Takata Airbag Recall
A bug in the airbag propellant, so to speak.
Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 105,652 model-year 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible compacts. The Takata supplied driver’s side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.The exploding airbag sends shrapnel into the interior, which can cause serious or fatal injuries.
VW maintains that the Takata SDI-D driver frontal airbag inflators installed in the recalled vehicles currently do not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety to drivers of affected vehicles. “Based on its prior conversations with NHTSA, Volkswagen understands that the Agency is concerned that after additional time, the airbag inflator may not perform properly in the event of a crash,” VW said.
Volkswagen and the NHTSA reviewed findings from various sources, including but not limited to a study from TK Global (the successor to TK Holdings, Inc. which is the owner of bankrupt Takata), on the safety and service life of desiccated Takata airbag inflators.
Volkswagen’s internal testing of SDI-D returned parts indicated better performance than the results of other studies, including TK Global’s and did not identify any defects. “Nevertheless, in consultation with the NHTSA regarding the Agency’s evaluation of such sources, and out of an abundance of caution, Volkswagen agrees to recall certain vehicles specified herein that contain SDI-D phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (“PSAN”) airbag inflators, which are desiccated inflators containing 2004 propellant.”
Chronology
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge as required by law The recall is expected to begin 12 February 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 about recall 69BC covering Takata SDI-D Inflator. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number is 20V785000.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.