2021 Volkswagen Jetta Air Bag Control Module Recall (21V492)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 379 vehicles · Reported June 30, 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling 379 2021 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position. Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V492 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V492000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 69CK |
| Date reported to NHTSA | June 30, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Volkswagen Jetta |
| Units affected | 379 |
| Component | Air Bags > Air Bag / Restraint Control Module |
| Safety risk | Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta in recall 21V492?
The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles. The air bag control module was welded in the incorrect position.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Jetta with recall 21V492?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Incorrect positioning of the air bag control module can cause the vehicle's air bags to deploy improperly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the vehicle's air bags can deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Jetta shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the air bag and restraint control module, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V492?
Recall 21V492 covers 379 vehicles: 2021 Volkswagen Jetta.
NHTSA lists 379 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Volkswagen | Jetta |
What is the fix for the Jetta air bag control module recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CK.
When was recall 21V492 announced?
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 21V492 to NHTSA on June 30, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 30, 2021 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V492000. |
| January 28, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 63 months ago. If your Jetta was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Jetta is part of recall 21V492?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V492 is open on your Jetta, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V492000 is open on your Jetta, it will be listed there, along with Volkswagen recall number 69CK. You can also ask any Volkswagen dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Jetta owners do about recall 21V492?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V492000 applies to your Jetta.
- Call a Volkswagen dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any air bag and restraint control module symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Jetta owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 4 of them about the air bags.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the air bags have been filed since recall 21V492 was reported (4) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 69 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 4 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Volkswagen Jetta: 69 complaints in total, 4 about the air bags
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
There is a known issue released by Volkswagen that certain model years of their vehicles are eligible for a limited extended warranty regarding the clock spring. In their release announcement VWP-18-11 on April 27, 2023, they specifically mentioned vehicle year model 2010 to 2022 qualifies for U37 Warranty key if the issue exists.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11766739, filed September 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V492000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta owner, WA, NHTSA complaint 11434914, filed September 29, 2021
Can recall 21V492 make my Jetta a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V492000 does not automatically make your Jetta a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Air bag defects are hidden until the moment they matter most. A recall repair may replace an inflator or sensor, but if warning lights return or the system faults again, that is a repeat repair for a safety defect.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Jetta went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Jetta been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Volkswagen Jetta recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V492
Is the 21V492000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Jetta is part of recall 21V492000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
What if my air bag light stays on after the recall repair?
Go back to the dealer. A warning light that returns means the system may not deploy correctly, and the visit is another repair attempt for a safety defect.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V492000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Volkswagen. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.