Manufacturer recall number

Volkswagen recall 23W5

Q: Is 23W5 the same recall as 17V309000?

Yes. 23W5 is Volkswagen’s own number for it; 17V309000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Volkswagen calls it 23W5. NHTSA filed it as campaign 17V309000 on May 11, 2017: power train on the 2012–2014 Volkswagen Passat, 84,262 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

The full filing, 17V309000 →Check a VIN at NHTSA Volkswagen’s own VIN lookup →

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings

NHTSA campaign	Vehicles	Component	Filed	Affected	Severity
17V309000	2012–2014 Volkswagen Passat	Power Train	May 11, 2017	84,262	critical

Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak. Risk If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23W5.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 17V309000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. 23W5 is the number Volkswagen assigned in its own system: it is what appears on the owner letter, on the dealer’s service screen and on the repair order. 17V309000 is the number NHTSA filed the same recall under when the manufacturer reported it, and it is the one every federal record, this site included, is keyed on.

The repair is free by federal law for vehicles up to fifteen years old. Whether one particular vehicle is included is settled by its VIN against the manufacturer’s build list, not by its model year.

Check one specific vehicle

Both lookups check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list and say whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

NHTSA VIN recall lookup →Volkswagen’s own VIN lookup →

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Is 23W5 the same recall as 17V309000?

Yes. 23W5 is Volkswagen’s own number for it; 17V309000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does 23W5 cover?

2012–2014 Volkswagen Passat, 84,262 vehicles by the manufacturer’s count. A recall covers a build range, so the VIN decides whether one particular vehicle is in it.

Does the 23W5 repair cost anything?

No. The manufacturer must remedy a safety defect at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.