Volkswagen is recalling 679,027 vehicles in the United States as they could potentially rollaway.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers can accidentally remove the key from the ignition when the vehicle isn’t in park. If this occurs, the car could potentially rollaway and cause an accident or injury.
Drivers obviously shouldn’t remove the key when the vehicle isn’t in park, but the agency explained a “build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in park.”
The massive recall affects a number of different models including the 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2015-2019 Golf GTI as well as the 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf. Other models impacted by the recall include the 2011-2018 Jetta and 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen.
While that’s a lot of different models, the NHTSA noted the recall only applies to vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, a manual handbrake and a keyless entry system.
Volkswagen isn’t aware of any injuries related to the problem, but they’re recalling the vehicles as a precaution. The recall is slated to begin on October 11th and owners will be notified. They can take their car to a Volkswagen dealership where technicians will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. This will presumably prevent the key from being removed while the car isn’t in park.
