The problem
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8l vr6 engines fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the recommended cold tire inflation pressure published on the label for tires of the size 205/50 r15 86h is 0.1 bar (1.45 psi) too low. It should be 2.5 bar (36.3 psi). The label recommends 2.4 bar (34.8 psi = 35 psi).
The risk
Under inflated tires can affect vehicle handling, and driving with substantialy under inflated tires puts the consumer at a risk for a crash.
The fix
Owners will be provided with corrected labels, or a dealer can install the label if the owner wishes. Owner notification began September 29, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact vw at 1-800-893-5298.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 03V-156 (03V156000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | WP |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Equipment › Other › Labels |
| Report date | April 23, 2003 |
| Owners notified | September 29, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 9,811 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the equipment & accessories
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 03V-156 repair free?
Yes. Volkswagen dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Owners will be provided with corrected labels, or a dealer can install the label if the owner wishes. Owner notification began September 29, 2003.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 9,811 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.