The problem
Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." all three rear seat positions and the front passenger position are equipped with seat belt retractors that have a locking feature which converts the retractor from an emergency locking retractor (elr) mode to an automatic locking retractor (alr) mode for the purposes of child restraint installation. The belt May deactivate the alr mode with certain child restraints.
The risk
When involved in a crash, the child restraints May not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injuries or death.
The fix
Dealers will permanently install a 'clip' in each of the two rear outboard seat belts. The clips will prevent unwanted deactivation of the alr mode with child seat installations. The recall began on April 11, 2005. Owners should contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 04V-592 (04V592000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | UY |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Seat belts |
| Report date | December 15, 2004 |
| Owners notified | April 11, 2005 |
| Vehicles affected | 50,483 |
| Initiated by | OVSC |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the seat belts
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 04V-592 repair free?
Yes. Volkswagen dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will permanently install a 'clip' in each of the two rear outboard seat belts. The clips will prevent unwanted deactivation of the alr mode with child seat installations. The recall began on April 11, 2005. Owners should contact vw 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 50,483 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.