Volkswagen up! recalls

8 official safety recalls for the Volkswagen up! 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 2012–2016DVSA 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 2011–2016DVSA 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. 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.

  4. Airbags or seat belt pretensioners may not trigger

    Reported March 22, 2017Model years 2016DVSA recall R/2017/07931,032 vehicles affected

    A manufacturing error may prevent an airbag or seat belt pretensioner from triggering in a collision. The airbag assembly and seat belt pretensioner will be replaced where necessary.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    AIRBAG/BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT TRIGGER IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT
    Defect
    Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision
    Remedy
    On affected vehicles replace air bag assembly and seatbelt pretensioner where necessary.

  5. Panoramic sunroof panel may come loose

    Reported September 9, 2016Model years 2016DVSA recall R/2016/2215 vehicles affected

    The front panel of the panoramic sunroof may not be bonded correctly. It may rattle, and if it comes loose it could endanger following traffic. The panel will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    PANORAMIC SUNROOF MAY DETACH
    Defect
    The front panel of the panorama sunroof may not have been bonded correctly. This can lead to rattling noises during a journey. If the loosening front panel is not detected this poses a danger for the following traffic.
    Remedy
    Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the front panel of the panorama roof.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Side airbag fault detection may be disabled

    Reported May 3, 2013Model years 2013DVSA recall R/2013/0576,395 vehicles affected

    Incorrect airbag control unit settings may disable side crash sensor diagnostics, so faults may go undetected and the airbag warning may not illuminate. A dealer will reprogramme the control unit.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    SIDE AIRBAG DIAGNOSTIC FUNCTION DISABLED
    Defect
    Some vehicles may be fitted with airbag control units with incorrect parameters programmed. On these vehicles the diagnostic function for the side crash sensors is deactivated resulting in potential faults not being recognised and the airbag warning not illuminating.
    Remedy
    Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to re programme the airbag control unit.

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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