Enter your Volkswagen's 17-character VIN to decode its year, model and build details, see US model recall campaigns, and match EPA configurations where available. Set your mileage and fuel price to estimate running costs.
Volkswagen MPG and running costs by model
A quick model-level comparison before you decode. Enter a VIN above for EPA configurations matched to the decoded year and available powertrain details, then adjust your mileage and energy price. These preview figures are broader estimates, not exact year-and-trim ratings.
Annual estimates assume 12,000 miles, US average regular gasoline at $4.35/gal, diesel at $6.20/gal, or residential electricity at $0.17/kWh. Fuel prices dated 2026-10-05. Costs exclude maintenance, insurance, tax and depreciation.
Volkswagen uses different identifiers for passenger cars, utility vehicles and manufacturing countries. European filler characters can limit a US-oriented decode.
The first three characters form the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). These are verified examples, not an exhaustive list. A WMI can cover more than one retail brand; it identifies the manufacturer, not a model, engine or exact assembly plant. Country below refers to the WMI region assignment. Use the full decode for the reported build plant.
Illustrative VIN with a placeholder serial number (000001), checked against NHTSA vPIC. It demonstrates the build-code decode, not a particular car's identity or history.
For US-standard passenger cars, and multipurpose passenger vehicles and trucks rated at 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) or less, a number in position 7 selects 1980–2009; a letter selects 2010–2039. This shortcut does not apply to every overseas-market vehicle, heavy truck or motorcycle. Model year can differ from the calendar year of manufacture. See every year code →
Where to find your Volkswagen VIN
Start with the plate at the base of the windshield, usually on the driver's side, read from outside the car. Look next for the certification label in the front door opening. Compare the full 17 characters with the registration, title or insurance documents. Exact label and stamped-chassis locations vary by model, year and market; the owner's manual is the model-specific authority.
Volkswagen's US owner's-manual lookup accepts the VIN to retrieve the matching handbook. Use its identification section for your model; a badge such as Golf or Tiguan alone does not identify the engine or market specification.
Snapshot checked 2026-10-06; source contains reports through 2026-10-01. The largest 3 US vehicle campaigns in our NHTSA snapshot reported since 2024-10-06, ranked by total potentially affected units. Totals cover the entire campaign and can include other makes; they are not counts of unrepaired Volkswagen vehicles.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
248,330 potentially affected units across the campaign. Volkswagen models: BEETLE, BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, PASSAT. Model years in this make's records: 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019.
Risk and remedy
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69EG, 69GQ, and 69E6.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
208,724 potentially affected units across the campaign. Volkswagen models: ATLAS, TIGUAN. Model years in this make's records: 2018, 2019.
Risk and remedy
A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces.
177,493 potentially affected units across the campaign. Volkswagen models: ATLAS, ATLAS CROSS SPORT. Model years in this make's records: 2024, 2025.
Risk and remedy
A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Dealers will remove the engine cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10X5.
A model campaign is not proof that your individual car is affected or that its repair remains open. Check your VIN with NHTSA or the manufacturer for current applicability and repair status. A VIN decode does not provide accident, mileage or ownership history.
