Vehicle recall 03V356000 · September 29, 2003
2004 Volkswagen New Beetle
On certain passenger vehicles, the passenger detection function of the passive occupant detection system (pods) may become disabled.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- On certain passenger vehicles, the passenger detection function of the passive occupant detection system (pods) may become disabled.
- Consequence
- Should the pods control unit malfunction, the air bag system in the vehicle will not work as designed and may not be able to properly protect occupants in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the pods. Owner notification originally began October 3, 2003. VW has determined that additional vehicles need to be repaired. The recall for the additional vehicles is expected to begin on December 17, 2004. Owners should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.
- Notes
- VW recall no. Wu.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 03V356000
- Reported to NHTSA
- September 29, 2003
- Filed by
- VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Manufacturer campaign
- WU
- Owner notification
- October 3, 2003
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 333
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Air bags
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Volkswagen New Beetle (2004): 2004
Has your Volkswagen been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.