2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

Issue: 
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. 
 
Safety Risk: 
If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. 
 
Corrective Action: 
Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the driver-front airbag . 
Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

Issue: 
On certain vehicles, a build-up of silicate on the shift lever switch could cause the transmission to detect that it is in the Park position when it isn't. This could allow the ignition key to be removed when the transmission is not in the Park position. If the parking brake is not applied, this could allow the car to roll away. 

Safety Risk: 
If the transmission position is not displayed correctly, a user may not know that the vehicle is not in the PARK position. If the parking brake is not applied, this  could create a risk of a vehicle roll-away and increase the risk of a crash. 

Corrective Actions: 
The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have a new shift lever micro switch and control unit installed.

On a certain vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment during engine operation.  Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the cylinder head with a new part.

On certain vehicles, the camshaft lobe which actuates the vacuum pump may fail, causing the pump to fail to deliver further vacuum supply to the brake booster, potentially increasing stopping distances. This would also result in a reduction in available engine power.  These issues could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Note: This issue would result in the Engine Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) illuminating. Correction: Dealers will update the engine control module (ECM) software.