Volkswagen Recall 03V-508: Equipment – labels

Affected: 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle. Filed with NHTSA on December 4, 2003, covering about 15,115 vehicles.

The problem

On certain passenger vehicles, the tire information label is incorrect identifying the vehicle as a five-passenger vehicle, instead of a four-passenger vehicle.

The risk

Exceeding the correct seating capacity in a vehicle puts occupants at risk for injury in a crash, and can result in vehicle overloading, which can affect vehicle handling and put you at risk for a crash.

The fix

Owners will be sent a new label and installation instructions. Owner notification began on February 9, 2004. Owners should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign03V-508 (03V508000)
Manufacturer numberVB/ZH
ManufacturerVolkswagen Group of America, Inc.
ComponentEquipment › Other › Labels
Report dateDecember 4, 2003
Owners notifiedFebruary 9, 2004
Vehicles affected15,115
Initiated byManufacturer

Vehicles covered

Frequently asked questions

Is the recall 03V-508 repair free?

Yes. Volkswagen dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Owners will be sent a new label and installation instructions. Owner notification began on February 9, 2004. Owners 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 15,115 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.