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  Defect Investigation of Front Air Bag Crash Sensor Failure

Investigation of Front Air Bag Crash Sensor Failure

Subject: Front air bag crash sensor failure
Components covered:
  • Air bags frontal sensor/control module
  • Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Feb. 15, 2008. It was closed on Apr. 24, 2008. Note: this investigation has resulted in a vehicle safety recall.
Certain subject vehicles, model year (my) 2003 convertible and my 2004 sedan and convertible vehicles are equipped with an advanced dual-stage air bag system. The air bag crash sensors (#1f0 909 606) contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions. If this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the control module will enable a fallback algorithm that will ensure that the front air bag always deploys in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration is high enough to activate the frontal air bags. However, in low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants. Volkswagen will inspect for the defective crash sensor and replace with an updated design. In addition, 16,177 early-my 2005 new beetle sedan and convertible vehicles (built through oct 31, 2004) are also included in the recall campaign. This preliminary evaluation is closed (see recall 08v-178)
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 2003 Volkswagen Beetle
  • 2004 Volkswagen Beetle

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