Volkswagen bulletin VOS-26-21
What it saysThis is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the error message ERP0204E could occur during… NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Volkswagen filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Mar 27, 2026, received Apr 6, 2026, about the engine. It names 75 model years (2016–2026). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationThis is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the error message ERP0204E could occur during perform initial operation, software configuration, SVM updates for any control module(s) etc.
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VOS-26-21 | Service bulletin | Mar 27, 2026 | 11030847 |
The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themand 35 more on this site: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta, 2024 Volkswagen Jetta, 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, 2020 Volkswagen Jetta, 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, 2018 Volkswagen Jetta, 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, 2022 Volkswagen Passat, 2021 Volkswagen Passat, 2020 Volkswagen Passat, 2019 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Volkswagen Passat, 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2016 Volkswagen Passat, 2026 Volkswagen Taos, 2025 Volkswagen Taos, 2024 Volkswagen Taos, 2023 Volkswagen Taos, 2022 Volkswagen Taos, 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2017 Volkswagen Touareg, 2016 Volkswagen Touareg.
A vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
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What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 75 model years this bulletin names have filed 8,279 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 1,798 of them name Engine — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.
On the 2019 Volkswagen Golf / GTI, the 145 owners who gave an odometer reading for Engine reported it at a median of 500 miles. That figure is one model year’s, not the whole range this bulletin covers — medians from different model years are not averaged.
The plastic oil pan at the bottom of the engine of my 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0t started leaking while I was on the highway, nearly stranding my family. It was very disappointing to see any vehicle using a fragile, unprotected plastic oil pan at the bottom of the engine, especially the Tiguan, which is marketed as a sport utility vehicle
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan · Engine · filed with NHTSA Dec 12, 2019
Thermostat Sensor Failure causing check engine light P00B7. Vehicle not reading the correct engine temp causing cooling fans to run at 100% and drivability concern. Dealer diagnosed the repair as replacement of the Thermostat/Thermostat Housing quoted at $1,635. The vehicle has not been inspected by any other party other than dealership.
2017 Volkswagen Golf / GTI · Engine · filed with NHTSA Dec 26, 2023
After noticing an oil leak and blue smoke in my 23 VW atlas, I took it to my local dealership in Tupelo, MS. I realized there was an open recall for the PCV Valve / Oil separator under code 10LP. However, the bad PCV valve also caused the timing chain cover to go bad. The dealership called me back and said VW would not cover this issue.
2023 Volkswagen Atlas · Engine · filed with NHTSA Jul 20, 2026
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
More bulletins about the engine
Source: same model, same component group104 other manufacturer communications filed against these Volkswagen models under the same component group (engine), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the Volkswagen list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SM 35-2026 | Other | Aug 21, 2026 | This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward. |
| V0126032083018_1 | Service bulletin | Aug 20, 2026 | Update Programming of the Engine/Motor Control Module -J623- |
| V1718062017813_24 | Service bulletin | Jul 9, 2026 | Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement |
| VWP-26-07 FAQ | Warranty extension | Jul 6, 2026 | For applicable 2018-2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport 3.6L Settlement Class Vehicles (NA6 warranty key), the New Vehicle Limited Warranty wil… |
| 4C6D | Service bulletin | Jun 24, 2026 | Engine/Motor Control Module software update for DTC 0456 |
| V0125062079645_3 | Service bulletin | Jun 22, 2026 | Excess flashing left behind during the intake manifold injection molding process can cause a lean misfire in affected cylinders. |
| TT 13-20-01_3 | Service bulletin | Jun 18, 2026 | Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start. |
| TT 10-18-02_2 | Other | Jun 18, 2026 | Lubricating engine components before reassembly. |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Volkswagen, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is Volkswagen VOS-26-21 a recall?
No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the VOS-26-21 repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way.
Which vehicles does VOS-26-21 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 75 model years: 2023 Volkswagen Arteon, 2022 Volkswagen Arteon, 2021 Volkswagen Arteon, 2020 Volkswagen Arteon, 2019 Volkswagen Arteon, 2026 Volkswagen Atlas and more. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.