Volkswagen treating non-US customers like second-class citizens over Takata airbag recalls?
So, I recently found out that my car is affected by the Takata airbag scandal. You know, the one where airbags can potentially explode and kill people. Thought it was all being taken care of by now? Think again.
Out of curiosity (and concern), I went to Volkswagen’s recall check. Depending on which country you say your car is operating in, you get very different answers. And it’s honestly infuriating.
By the way here you can check if your car is affected:
Airbag Sicherheitsrückruf | Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge:
If you say the car is in Switzerland, VW says:
“Dear Volkswagen Customer,
Your vehicle with the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) XXX is equipped with a Takata driver airbag but is currently not affected by any Takata airbag recall.
The recalls are based on extensive analyses conducted globally by the manufacturer since 2016. The main criteria include the age of the vehicle and the climatic conditions (such as heat and humidity) under which the vehicle is operated. Based on the results of these tests, the scope of the recalls is regularly expanded.
However, we kindly ask you to regularly check the official Volkswagen brand website to see whether any Takata airbag recalls may affect your vehicle. We strongly recommend doing so from time to time, as the affected vehicle lists are continuously updated.
We appreciate your trust in the Volkswagen brand and look forward to continuing to count on your loyalty.
Best regards,
Volkswagen AG”
So basically: You might die, we’re not sure yet, but feel free to check the website every few months and cross your fingers.
But if you select the US as the country, this is what you get:
“Dear Volkswagen Customer,
Your vehicle with the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) XXX is affected by a Takata airbag recall. As this represents an increased safety risk, it is essential that the driver airbag is repaired.
As the owner or lessee of an affected vehicle, please contact a Volkswagen dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for the repair. The repair is free of charge.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your support in addressing this issue promptly.
We appreciate your trust in the Volkswagen brand and look forward to continuing to count on your loyalty.
Sincerely,
Volkswagen AG”
Notice the difference? In the US, it’s a real safety recall — proactive, urgent, and clear. Elsewhere? It's "monitor the situation and let us know if your face gets shredded by shrapnel."
Honestly, how is this acceptable? Are European (or Swiss) lives worth less than American ones? Does heat and humidity really justify this absurd double standard, or are they just dragging their feet where they can legally get away with it?
Volkswagen clearly learned nothing from Dieselgate. And once again, it’s the customer left at risk.
Anyone else dealt with this? What do you recommend doing? Class-action? Media? Naming and shaming?
I’m seriously done with being treated like a customer third class.
By the way, if you have a car from another manufacturer, the Takata airbag was almost everywhere installed….
by BarracudaLopsided960
4 comments
I got a similar (to the US version) letter from Citroen where they also told me to stop driving that car until the airbag was replaced
Yeah, it’s frustrating, but sadly that’s capitalism in action.
What you’re seeing here isn’t just a VW issue, it’s a global pattern: companies assess the cost of a recall versus the risk of fines, lawsuits, and bad press. In the U.S., the legal and financial risks of not replacing a potentially deadly airbag are much higher. So no surprise, they act faster and more decisively. In Switzerland, where those risks are lower, they drag their feet or hide behind climate-based excuses.
VW, like pretty much every big corporation, operates on profit and liability calculations, not ethics. It’s not about lives, it’s about math. Unfortunate, but very real.
That said, good for American consumers. They benefit from stronger legal protections (at least in this case). Personally though, with everything going on in the U.S. since Trump’s comeback, I’ll still take my chances with a sketchy airbag here in Switzerland over that mess.
So yeah, file complaints, talk to the media, maybe even try legal action but just know you’re fighting a system that’s built to prioritize corporate interests unless forced otherwise.
Citroen send me a letter concerning takata airbags and instructions on how to get the free replacement. so i guess W for citrön
All vehicles with an affected airbag will at some point be included in a recall. The climate zones are a huge portion of that staggered approach as dry climates will inevitably shorten the estimated lifespan of the airbag considerably.
Due to the sheer number of replacements needed, this was the best way to approach this recall as the supplier could not have been able to provide enough units for all vehicles within the required time frame. Brands with fewer affected models will definitely be able to accommodate their complete vehicle fleet much earlier than larger brands like VW.
Hope this clarifies it a bit.
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