Manufacturer recall number

Volkswagen recall 69BC

Q: Is 69BC the same recall as 20V785000?

Yes. 69BC is Volkswagen’s own number for it; 20V785000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Volkswagen calls it 69BC. NHTSA filed it as campaign 20V785000 on Dec 16, 2020: air bags on the 2012–2014 Volkswagen Beetle and 1 other Volkswagen model, 105,652 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

The full filing, 20V785000 →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
20V785000	2012–2014 Volkswagen Beetle and 1 other Volkswagen model	Air Bags	Dec 16, 2020	105,652	high

Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BC.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 20V785000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. 69BC 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. 20V785000 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 69BC the same recall as 20V785000?

Yes. 69BC is Volkswagen’s own number for it; 20V785000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does 69BC cover?

2012–2014 Volkswagen Beetle and 1 other Volkswagen model, 105,652 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 69BC repair cost anything?

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