The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
The risk
The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 14V-656 (14V656000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Suspension › Rear |
| Report date | October 20, 2014 |
| Owners notified | April 7, 2015 |
| Vehicles affected | 442,066 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the suspension
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 14V-656 repair free?
Yes. Volkswagen dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 442,066 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.