Headrest Mix-up Prompts VW Recall
Volkswagen Group of America (VW) issued a recall for 23 vehicles with the wrong type of headrests installed.
The manufacturer sent the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a safety recall report on April 28, 2017 about the problem. The company said 23 2016-2017 Volkswagen CC vehicles left the manufacturing plant with the incorrect head restraints installed.
Think you have a lemon, click here to fill out a 60 second form.
The safety report stated the vehicles in question are equipped with the same headrest type used in all VW vehicles around the world outside of the United States. The non-US headrest is adjustable in six positions. The U.S. headrest is adjustable in only five positions. The non-US headrest does not follow Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, throwing the vehicle out of compliance with federal law.
VW said in their report they first discovered the noncompliance on May 31, 2016. They began analyzing the issue later that summer, before presenting their findings to VW’s product safety committee on April 21, 2017.
Volkswagen will notify owners and dealers will replace the front seat head restraints free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 72G5. Owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide your recalled vehicle’s loss value, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to assist you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.