The problem
On certain minivans equipped with child restraint anchorages (tether anchorages) for use in conjunction with child restraints installed in the three rearmost seating positions, the "safety first" portion of the owner's manual delivered with these vehicles incorrectly instructs owners to guide the tether strap underneath the seat's head restraint and to raise the head restraint slightly, if necessary.
The risk
If the owner follows these instructions, the head restraint could accidentally separate from the seat in the event of a crash and cause injury to any child occupant seated in the tethered child seat.
The fix
Owners will be sent a new "safety first" booklet that will contain corrected use instructions. Owner notification began November 30, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free booklet within a reasonable time should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 02V-136 (02V136000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | WH |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual |
| Report date | May 16, 2002 |
| Owners notified | November 30, 2002 |
| Vehicles affected | 2,300 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the equipment & accessories
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 02V-136 repair free?
Yes. Volkswagen dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Owners will be sent a new "safety first" booklet that will contain corrected use instructions. Owner notification began November 30, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free booklet within a reasonable time should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 2,300 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.