Volkswagen Fox recalls

7 official safety recalls for the Volkswagen Fox from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Front airbag inflator may explode

    Reported August 22, 2025Model years 2006–2007DVSA recall R/2025/357277 vehicles affected

    The inflator may explode when the airbag deploys, ejecting metal fragments that could cause life-threatening or fatal injuries. Stop driving immediately and arrange to have the front airbag replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
    Defect
    Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Our information shows your vehicle was originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Issue: The front airbag in your VW vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
    Remedy
    The front airbag must be replaced. Immediate Action Required: Stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact the Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM to arrange your recall service.

  2. Driver airbag inflator may degrade

    Reported June 13, 2023Model years 2006–2011DVSA recall R/2023/178287,438 vehicles affected

    Air and moisture may enter the driver airbag inflator and cause it to degrade. The airbag will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    Takata Front airbag
    Defect
    The function of the driver airbag inflators can degrade due to air and moisture ingress.
    Remedy
    Replace airbag

  3. Overheated coolant may leak from heat exchanger

    Reported May 23, 1995Model years 1987–1993NHTSA campaign 95V105000164,000 vehicles affected

    If a cooling system component fails, coolant can overheat and pressure can cause the heat exchanger under the dashboard to leak. Hot coolant could injure a passenger's feet, and steam could temporarily reduce driver visibility. Dealers will install a bypass valve kit and a protective cover.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
    Defect
    IN THE EVENT OF A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE COOLANT CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TO RISE TO A LEVEL WHERE A LEAK IN THE HEAT EXCHANGER CAN OCCUR.
    Consequence
    A LEAK OR FAILURE OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD CAN ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER. HOT COOLANT CAN ALSO STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BYPASS VALVE KIT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ROUTE EXCESSIVELY HOT COOLANT TO THE ENGINE WITHOUT FLOWING THROUGH THE HEAT EXCHANGER. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A PLASTIC COVER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE PASSENGER IS NOT EXPOSED TO HOT COOLANT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAK.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:PASSENGER CARS.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME,PLEASE CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  4. Fuel hose may shrink and leak

    Reported April 14, 1992Model years 1990–1993NHTSA campaign 92V058000358,000 vehicles affected

    The fuel hose at the engine's fuel rail may shrink past the clamps and leak. Fuel contacting an ignition source could cause an underhood fire. The hose will be replaced and a self-tightening spring clamp installed.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
    Defect
    THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
    Consequence
    FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
    Remedy
    REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: FUEL LINES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:PASSENGER CARS.

  5. Fuel line may rub against intake manifold

    Reported June 3, 1991Model years 1991NHTSA campaign 91V0870002,000 vehicles affected

    An incorrectly contoured fuel line may rub against the intake manifold and eventually leak. Leaking fuel exposed to an ignition source could cause an engine compartment fire. The line will be replaced with one of the correct contour.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
    Defect
    METAL FUEL LINES WITH AN INCORRECT CONTOUR WERE INSTALLED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE INCORRECT CONTOUR CAN CAUSE THE METAL FUEL LINE TO RUB AGAINST THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.
    Consequence
    PROLONGED RUBBING OF THE FUEL LINE AGAINST THE INTAKEMANIFOLD COULD CAUSE A FUEL LINE LEAK, AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIREIF THE LEAKING FUEL LINE IS EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
    Remedy
    REPLACE FUEL LINE WITH CORRECTLY CONTOURED FUEL LINE.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: METAL FUEL LINE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

  6. Steering wheel may loosen or separate

    Reported December 1, 1988Model years 1987–1989NHTSA campaign 88V187000104,000 vehicles affected

    Oil or grease on the steering shaft's conical surface, combined with a steering wheel nut torqued below specification, could break the friction lock and allow the wheel to loosen or separate. The friction surface will be cleaned, a spring retainer installed, and the nut replaced with a self-locking nut.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
    Defect
    STEERING WHEEL/SHAFT DESIGNED TO USE SURFACE FRICTION MAY LOOSE THIS FRICTION IF GREASE OR OIL IS PRESENT ON THE CONESHAPED SURFACE OF THE STEERING SHAFT.
    Consequence
    IF THE ABOVE CONDITION IS PRESENT AND THE STEERING WHEELNUT IS TORQUED LOWER THAN SPECIFIED, BREAK OF THE FRICTION LOCK COULD RESULT INLOOSENING AND SEPARATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
    Remedy
    REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLES AND CLEAN FRICTION SURFACE AND INSTALL A SPRING RETAINER, REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL NUT WITH A SELF LOCKING NUT.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: STEERING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

  7. Rear tires may rub against wheel housing

    Reported October 20, 1987Model years 1987NHTSA campaign 87V162000138 vehicles affected

    Under heavy loads, rear tire sidewalls may rub against the wheel housing. Prolonged rubbing may cause premature wear and sudden loss of air. The remedy is to install different sport wheels or standard wheels.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    WHEELS
    Defect
    UNDER HEAVY LOAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRE SIDEWALLS MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE WHEEL HOUSING.
    Consequence
    PROLONGED CHAFING CAN CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR ANDCOULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR.
    Remedy
    INSTALL A DIFFERENT TYPE SPORT WHEELS OR INSTALL STANDARD WHEELS.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: WHEELSVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH ALLOY SPORT WHEELS.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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