September 23, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V579000
Improperly Torqued Third Row Seat Belt Anchor Bolt
Improperly torqued bolts may prevent the third row seat belt from performing as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V579
Manufacturer Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Components SEAT BELTS, Tether, Lower Anchor (on car seat or vehicle)
Potential Number of Units Affected 5
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Tiguan LWB vehicles. The third row seat belt anchor bolts may not have been properly torqued.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. Owners are advised: No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen number for this recall is 69BA.
Notes
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.
Check if your Volkswagen has a Recall
Safety Recall
Code: 69BA
| Subject | Third Row Seat Belt Anchors | |||||||||||||||
| Release Date | October 02, 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Affected Vehicles |
Check Campaigns/Actions screen in ELSA on the day of repair to verify that a VIN qualifies for repair under this action. ELSA is the only valid campaign inquiry & verification source.
| |||||||||||||||
| Problem Description | The seat belt anchor bolt torque for the third row seat belts (at the C & D pillars) could be insufficient due to potentially damaged anchor point threads. If this condition is present in the vehicle, a third row seat belt may not perform as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant sitting there. | |||||||||||||||
| Precautions | No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. | |||||||||||||||
| Recall Information |
| |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | Please alert everyone in your dealership about this action, including Sales, Service, Parts and Accounting personnel. Contact Warranty if you have any questions.
IMPORTANT REMINDER ON VEHICLES AFFECTED BY SAFETY & COMPLIANCE RECALL New Vehicles in Dealer Inventory: It is a violation of federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied. By law, dealers must correct, prior to delivery for sale or lease, any vehicle that fails to comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard or that contains a defect relating to motor vehicle safety. Pre-Owned Vehicles in Dealer Inventory: Dealers should not deliver any pre-owned vehicles in their inventory which are involved in a safety or compliance recall until the defect has been remedied. |
Customer Letter Example (USA)
<MONTH YEAR>
<CUSTOMER NAME>
<CUSTOMER ADDRESS>
<CUSTOMER CITY STATE ZIPCODE>
This notice applies to your vehicle: <MODEL YEAR> <BRAND> <CARLINE>, <VIN>
NHTSA: 20V579
Subject: Safety Recall 69BA –Third Row Seat Belt Anchors
Dear Volkswagen Owner,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Volkswagen has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2020 model year Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. Our records show that you are the owner of a vehicle affected by this action.
| What is the issue? | The seat belt anchor bolt torque for the third row seat belts (at the C & D pillars) could be insufficient due to potentially damaged anchor point threads. If this condition is present in the vehicle, a third row seat belt may not perform as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant sitting there. |
| What we will do, and what you need to do. | The recall remedy available to you is a vehicle repurchase (buy back). Volkswagen will work directly with you to complete the vehicle repurchase process, FREE of charge.
Please contact Volkswagen Customer CARE at 800-893-5298 or reach out to us at www.vw.com/contact as soon as possible for more information and to begin the vehicle repurchase process. |
| Precautions you should take | No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. |
| Lease vehicles and address changes | If you are the lessor and registered owner of the vehicle identified in this action, the law requires you to forward this letter immediately via first-class mail to the lessee within ten (10) days of receipt. If you have changed your address or sold the vehicle, please fill out the enclosed prepaid Owner Reply card and mail it to us so we can update our records. |
| Can we assist you further? | If Volkswagen fails or is unable to complete vehicle repurchase (buy back) free of charge within a reasonable time, or if you should have any questions about this communication, please reach out to us using your preferred method of communication at www.vw.com/contact or by calling us at 800-893-5298. |
| Checking your vehicle for open Recalls and Service Campaigns | To check your vehicle’s eligibility for repair under this or any other recall/service campaign, please visit www.vw.com/owners/recalls and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the Recall/Service Campaign Lookup tool. |
If you still cannot obtain satisfaction, you may file a complaint with: The Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1- 888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.
We apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause; however we are taking this action to help ensure your safety and continued satisfaction with your vehicle.
Sincerely,
Volkswagen Customer Protection
Customer Letter Example (Canada)
<MONTH YEAR>
<CUSTOMER NAME>
<CUSTOMER ADDRESS>
<CUSTOMER CITY STATE ZIPCODE>
This notice applies to your vehicle: <MODEL YEAR> <BRAND> <CARLINE>, <VIN>
Transport Canada Recall: 2020-448
Subject: Safety Recall 69BA –Third Row Seat Belt Anchors
Dear Volkswagen Owner,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This is to inform you that your vehicle may contain a defect that could affect the safety of a person. Our records show that you are the owner of a vehicle affected by this action.
| What is the issue? | The seat belt anchor bolt torque for the third row seat belts (at the C & D pillars) could be insufficient due to potentially damaged anchor point threads. If this condition is present in the vehicle, a third row seat belt may not perform as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant sitting there. |
| What we will do, and what you need to do. | The recall remedy available to you is a vehicle repurchase (buy back). Volkswagen will work directly with you to complete the vehicle repurchase process, FREE of charge.
Please contact Customer Relations, Monday through Friday from 8AM to 8PM EST by phone at 1-800-822-8987 or via our “Contact Us” page at www.vw.ca as soon as possible for more information and to begin the vehicle repurchase process. |
| Precautions you should take | No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. |
| Lease vehicles and address changes | If you are the lessor and registered owner of the vehicle identified in this letter, you shall forward this letter (and any subsequent notice, if applicable) to the lessee within ten (10) days of receipt. If you have changed your address or sold the vehicle identified in this letter, please fill out the enclosed prepaid Owner Reply Card and mail it to us so we can update our records. |
| Can we assist you further? | If Volkswagen fails or is unable to complete vehicle repurchase (buy back) free of charge within a reasonable time, or if you should have any questions about this communication, please contact Customer Relations, Monday through Friday from 8AM to 8PM EST by phone at 1-800-822-8987 or via our “Contact Us” page at www.vw.ca. |
We apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause; however we are taking this action to help ensure your safety and continued satisfaction with your vehicle.
Sincerely,
Volkswagen Customer Protection
Repair Available – Safety Recall 69BA / Third Row Seat Belt Anchors
| This notice is for: |
| |||||||||||||||
| Date: | October 01, 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Issue: | The seat belt anchor bolt torque for the third row seat belts (at the C & D pillars) could be insufficient due to potentially damaged anchor point threads. If this condition is present in the vehicle, a third row seat belt may not perform as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant sitting there. | |||||||||||||||
| Precautions | No one should occupy the third row seat due to the safety risk. | |||||||||||||||
| Recall Information |
| |||||||||||||||
| Affected Vehicles |
*Counts reflect overall population; some vehicles may have already been repaired. Check Campaigns/Actions screen in Elsa on the day of repair to verify that a VIN qualifies for repair under this action. Elsa is the only valid campaign inquiry & verification source. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes: | U.S.A.: Loaner/rental coverage cannot be claimed under this action. However, loaner/rental may be covered under the Alternate Transportation Program. Please refer to the Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual for loaner claims information and reimbursement details.
Canada: Loaner/rental coverage cannot be claimed under this action. Please refer to the Volkswagen Service Loaner Program to determine loaner eligibility. IMPORTANT REMINDER: VEHICLES AFFECTED BY SAFETY & COMPLIANCE RECALLS New Vehicles in Dealer Inventory: It is a violation of federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied. By law, dealers must correct, prior to delivery for sale or lease, any vehicle that fails to comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard or that contains a defect relating to motor vehicle safety. Pre-Owned Vehicles in Dealer Inventory: Dealers should not deliver any pre-owned vehicles in their inventory which are involved in a safety or compliance recall until the defect has been remedied. |
-END OF MESSAGE-
Ensure all dealership personnel are aware of this notice so they are able to address customer questions. Contact Warranty if you require additional assistance. Direct press inquiries to Volkswagen Public Relations.
Volkswagen Customer Protection 69BA_DLR_LAUNCH
1 Affected Product
Vehicle
| MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
| VOLKSWAGEN | TIGUAN | 2020 |
11 Associated Documents
Remedy Instructions and TSB
RCRIT-20V579-6357.pdf 255.224KB
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Date: October 01, 2020 Repair Available – Safety Recall 69BA / Third Row Seat Belt Anchors
RCMN-20V579-7520.pdf 192.264KB
ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)
RCONL-20V579-9843.pdf 97.607KB
Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-1
RCLQRT-20V579-6228.PDF 211.256KB
Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-2
RCLQRT-20V579-6209.PDF 211.329KB
Defect Notice 573 Report
RCLRPT-20V579-1302.PDF 215.208KB
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-20V579-2967.pdf 308.157KB
Recall 573 Report-Amendment 1
RCLRPT-20V579-7576.PDF 215.408KB
Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-4
RCLQRT-20V579-2225.PDF 211.158KB
Recall 573 Report-Amendment 2
RCLRPT-20V579-1799.PDF 215.624KB
Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2021-3
RCLQRT-20V579-3696.PDF 211.431KB
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