Volkswagen Polo recalls

23 official safety recalls for the Volkswagen Polo 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. Rear axle bolts may be out of specification

    Reported August 28, 2025Model years 2025DVSA recall R/2025/3852 vehicles affected

    The rear axle bolted connection may not meet specifications, and the axle could detach, causing loss of control, a collision or injury. Do not drive the vehicle; have it recovered to a workshop to check and, if necessary, rework the connection.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    Check rear axle bolted connection
    Defect
    STOP -DRIVE - Do not drive your vehicle until the repair has been completed; it must be recovered to a workshop. The rear axle bolted connecting may not have been completed to specification. Risk of axle becoming detached and resultant loss of control and possible collision or injury.
    Remedy
    Check and if necessary re-work rear axle bolted connection

  2. Front airbag inflator may explode

    Reported August 22, 2025Model years 2006–2013DVSA 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.

  3. Passenger airbag may provide reduced protection or burst

    Reported June 9, 2025Model years 2023–2025DVSA recall R/2025/2082,067 vehicles affected

    The passenger airbag may provide reduced protection or its gas generator housing may burst during deployment, releasing parts that could seriously or fatally injure occupants. The passenger airbag must be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    Replace front passenger airbag
    Defect
    The front passenger airbag may be faulty. In the event of an accident-related deployment the front passenger airbag may have a reduced protective effect also the gas generator housing may burst and components of the gas generator housing may come loose and cause serious or deadly injuries to vehicle occupants.
    Remedy
    The passenger airbag must be replaced.

  4. Driver airbag inflator may degrade

    Reported June 13, 2023Model years 2006–2017DVSA 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

  5. Driver's airbag may not deploy correctly

    Reported October 4, 2022Model years 2006–2007DVSA recall R/2022/27421 vehicles affected

    The driver's airbag may not deploy correctly when activated. The driver's airbag assembly is replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT CORRECTLY DEPLOY IF ACTIVATED
    Defect
    The driver's airbag may not correctly deploy if activated.
    Remedy
    Replace the driver's air bag assembly.

  6. Airbag inflator may burst and release fragments

    Reported August 31, 2022EU Safety Gate A12/01438/22

    Heat and moisture may deteriorate the propellant, causing excessive pressure to burst the inflator when the airbag deploys. Metal fragments may pass through the cushion and injure occupants. The remedy is to recall the product from end users.

    Official EU Safety Gate text
    Component
    Injuries
    Defect
    The propellant may deteriorate over time due to heat cycles and exposure to moisture. If the airbag is deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
    Remedy
    Recall of the product from end users
    Notes
    Notified by France

  7. Roof spoiler may not be bonded correctly

    Reported April 20, 2022Model years 2021DVSA recall R/2022/115356 vehicles affected

    The roof spoiler may not have been bonded to the rear lid using the specified materials and process. The spoiler will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    THE ROOF SPOILER MAY NOT HAVE BEEN BONDED TO THE REAR LID WITH THE SPECIFIED PROCESS MATERIALS
    Defect
    On all affected Polo vehicles there is a possibility that the roof spoiler may not have been bonded to the rear lid with the specified process materials.
    Remedy
    On all affected vehicles the roof spoiler has to be replaced.

  8. Sunroof frame may not be bonded to the roof

    Reported December 27, 2021Model years 2021DVSA recall R/2022/01135 vehicles affected

    The sunroof frame may not be correctly bonded to the body roof. It will be checked and bonded correctly if needed.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    THE SUN ROOF FRAME MAY NOT HAVE BEEN BONDED TO THE BODY ROOF
    Defect
    The sunroof frame may not have been correctly bonded to the body roof.
    Remedy
    Check and if necessary correctly bond the sunroof frame to the body roof.

  9. Passenger airbag panel may not break as designed

    Reported October 19, 2021Model years 2020–2021DVSA recall R/2021/4006,889 vehicles affected

    A faulty net at the passenger airbag panel's designed break point may prevent it from opening as intended. The dash panel will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    A FAULTILY INSTALLED NET FOR THE DESIGN BREAKAGE POINT FOR THE DISCHARGE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BEEN FITTED
    Defect
    A dash panel with a faulty installed net for the design breakage point for the discharge of the passenger airbag has been fitted.
    Remedy
    On the affected vehicles the dash panel has to be replaced.

  10. Oil in vacuum lines may reduce braking assistance

    Reported March 16, 2020Model years 2019–2020DVSA recall R/2020/0684,103 vehicles affected

    Oil may enter the brake servo through the tandem pump's vacuum lines, reducing braking assistance. The vacuum line will be replaced, and other oil-affected components checked and replaced if necessary.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    OIL MAY GET INTO THE BRAKE SERVO THROUGH THE VACUUM LINES OF THE TANDEM PUMP.
    Defect
    Oil may get into the brake servo through the vacuum lines of the tandem pump leading to a loss of braking assistance.
    Remedy
    Replace the vacuum line from the tandem pump. Check other components for oil and replace if necessary.

  11. Camshaft adjuster bolts may loosen

    Reported August 9, 2019Model years 2013–2014DVSA recall R/2019/2611,416 vehicles affected

    The camshaft adjuster housing bolts may loosen and break the pulley. The camshaft adjuster will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    THE HOUSING BOLTS ON THE CAMSHELF ADJUSTER MAY COME LOOSE
    Defect
    The housing bolts on the camshaft adjuster may come loose and break the pulley
    Remedy
    On the affected vehicles the camshaft adjuster has to be replaced

  12. Handbrake lever travel may increase

    Reported February 4, 2019Model years 2017–2018DVSA recall R/2019/03744,256 vehicles affected

    Movement of the adjuster nut may increase handbrake lever travel. The assembly will be readjusted and a locking device fitted to the nut.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    THE ADJUSTED HANDBRAKE LEVER TRAVEL FOR PARKING THE VEHICLE CAN INCREASE
    Defect
    Hand brake lever travel increase due to adjuster nut movement.
    Remedy
    Re-adjust assembly and fit locking device to nut.

  13. Left rear seat belt may unfasten unexpectedly

    Reported November 26, 2018Model years 2017–2018DVSA recall R/2018/14245,714 vehicles affected

    The left rear seat belt may unfasten unexpectedly. A spacer will be fitted in the rear seat's double buckle.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT DOUBLE BUCKLE MAY UNFASTEN INVOLUNTARILY
    Defect
    Left rear seat belt may unfasten involuntarily.
    Remedy
    On Affected vehicles a spacer will be fitted in the double buckle of the rear seat.

  14. Towing eye weld may fail during use

    Reported December 21, 2017Model years 2015–2017DVSA recall R/2017/347220,002 vehicles affected

    The towing eye weld may fail during use, causing loss of propulsion and allowing the towrope and eye to cause damage or injury. The towing eye in the vehicle tool kit will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    TOWING EYE IN THE VEHICLE TOOL KIT MAY DETACH DURING USE
    Defect
    The welding of the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit may not be to specification. As a result the weld on the eye may fail during use causing loss of propulsion and the towrope with the attached eye can potentially cause property damage and personal injury.
    Remedy
    Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit.

  15. Door child lock may disengage

    Reported June 23, 2016Model years 2015–2016DVSA recall R/2016/14568,100 vehicles affected

    A door child lock may disengage without the driver knowing, allowing the closed door to be opened from inside. The lock mechanism will be inspected and replaced where necessary.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    CHILD LOCK MAY DISENGAGE
    Defect
    The door child locks may disengage without driver knowledge. Though the door remains close it is possible for the door to then be opened from the inside.
    Remedy
    On affected vehicles inspect lock mechanism and replace where necessary.

  16. Front seat backrest may break in a collision

    Reported August 4, 2015Model years 2015DVSA recall R/2015/130207 vehicles affected

    A poorly welded front seat backrest fitting may let the backrest break in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Affected backrest frames will be checked and replaced if within the affected production range.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    BACKREST MAY NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY IN A COLLISION
    Defect
    The fitting for the backrest frame to the front seats (mounting of backrest to seat frame) may not have been correctly welded. This can cause noises on the front seats and in an accident the backrest/s can break. There is an increased risk of injury.
    Remedy
    Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the production date of the backrest frames of the front seats. Where the date is within the affected range the backrest/s will be replaced.

  17. Airbag may deploy unintentionally

    Reported February 15, 2015Model years 2014DVSA recall R/2014/1761,052 vehicles affected

    An acceleration sensor may send an incorrect signal, causing an airbag to deploy unintentionally. The vehicle will be checked and the control unit replaced if required.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    UNINTENTIONAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
    Defect
    In rare cases an air bag acceleration sensor may give an incorrect signal which can lead to an unintentional airbag deployment
    Remedy
    Recall vehicle check if vehicle is affected and replace the control unit as required.

  18. Fuel filter may crack and leak

    Reported December 5, 2014Model years 2010–2014DVSA recall R/2014/14418,314 vehicles affected

    The fuel filter may crack around its inlet, allowing fuel to leak. This may cause a smell inside the vehicle, contaminate the road and affect handling. The filter will be checked and replaced with an improved type if needed.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    FUEL MAY LEAK
    Defect
    On affected vehicles the fuel filter may crack around inlet connection. This will allow fuel to leak which may cause a smell within the vehicle interior and possibly contaminate the road environment. This may affect the handling of the vehicle and of other traffic..
    Remedy
    Check type of filter fitted. If not of improved type then replace with improved filter.

  19. Front seat heater wiring may cause a fire

    Reported April 30, 2007Model years 2005–2007DVSA recall R/2007/050866 vehicles affected

    A seat cover tension wire may contact the seat heater filaments and cause a short circuit, which can damage the front seat covers by fire. The front seat tension wires will be insulated.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    SEAT MAY CATCH FIRE
    Defect
    It has been identified that due to an incorrectly sewn-in tension wire strap for the back-rest cover of the front seats there may be contact between the tension wire of the seat and the filaments of the seat heater. The resulting short circuit can lead to fire damage on the front seat covers.
    Remedy
    Recalled vehicles will have the tension wires of the front seats insulated.

  20. Tandem fuel pump cover bolts may break

    Reported March 3, 2005Model years 2004DVSA recall R/2004/211397,608 vehicles affected

    A production fault may cause the cover bolts to break, leaving the pump housing loose and allowing diesel to leak. The pump will be checked, and affected cover bolts replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    BOLTS OF THE TANDEM FUEL PUMP COVER MAY BREAK
    Defect
    It is advised that on some vehicles fitted with a 3 and 4 cylinder pump injector engine the bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break due to a bolt production fault. As a result the pump housing will not be tight and a diesel fuel leak may occur.
    Remedy
    Recalled vehicles will have the pump checked for being of a certain manufacture. If found to be within the affected range the pump housing cover bolts will be replaced.

  21. Brake servo vacuum pipe may crack and leak

    Reported February 11, 2005DVSA recall R/2004/20113,548 vehicles affected

    The vacuum pipe to the brake servo may crack and leak, reducing servo assistance and increasing the force needed on the brake pedal. This does not cause total brake failure. The pipes will be checked and replaced if needed.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    TENSION CRACKS MAY OCCUR ON THE VACUUM PIPE TO THE SERVO
    Defect
    Tension cracks may occur on the vacuum pipe to the brake servo in the area of the connections due to a manufacturing fault. Should a vacuum pipe leak the brake servo will loose it's function. This will result in an increase of force which must be applied to the brake pedal. But will not result in a total failure of the braking system.
    Remedy
    Recalled vehicles will have the vacuum pipes checked and if necessary replaced.

  22. Clutch pedal attachment may fracture

    Reported June 29, 2004Model years 1999–2001DVSA recall R/2004/0923,497 vehicles affected

    Poor welding may cause a fracture where the clutch pedal attaches, affecting clutch operation. An additional foot pedal support and welding seam will be fitted.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    CLUTCH OPERATION MAY BE AFFECTED
    Defect
    A fracture may occur in the area of the clutch pedal attachment because of poor welding which may affect the operation of the clutch.
    Remedy
    On all affected vehicles an additional foot pedal support (additional welding seam) will be fitted

  23. Brake vacuum pipe may crack

    Reported July 6, 2002Model years 1997–1999DVSA recall R/2002/049241,956 vehicles affected

    Cracks may cause a leak in the brake vacuum pipe and loss of brake servo assistance, requiring more force on the pedal. This will not cause total brake failure. The pipes will be checked and replaced if necessary.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    BRAKE VACUUM SUPPLY PIPE CONCERN
    Defect
    On Polo and Lupo vehicles in the affected chassis number range tension cracks may occur on the vacuum pipe to the brake servo in the area of the connections of the pipes because of a manufacturing fault. If a vacuum pipe leaks the brake servo loses its function. Without the servo assistance a lot more force must be used on the pedal. But this will not lead to a total failure of the brake system.
    Remedy
    The fitted vacuum pipes will be checked and if necessary replaced.

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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