2010 Volkswagen New Beetle – Click above for high-res image gallery
Government safety regulations are put in place to, you know, actually keep us safer. But sometimes, it seems the loopholes are big enough to drive a truck through. Okay, maybe not a truck, but definitely a Volkswagen New Beetle.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined that the certain examples of the aging Volkswagen Bug (both the coupe and convertible) manufactured in September 2010 failed to meet new Federal crash test requirements that went into effect that month. Reasonable enough, we suppose, as the regulations are there for a reason.
The fix? To replace the non-compliant vehicles with ones manufactured before September 1, 2010. In other words, the replacement cars still won't meet the new safety regulations, but didn't have to at the time of their manufacture because the rules had yet to come into force. Seriously.
The end result may not make occupants of the 27 affected units any safer, but at least they'll be on the right side of the red tape. Follow the jump for the full recall notice.
[Source: NHTSA]
Report Date : January 30, 2011 at 04:00 AM
NHTSA Campaign ID number : 11V031000
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
VOLKSWAGEN / NEW BEETLE 2010
VOLKSWAGEN / NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE 2010
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Mfr's Report Date: JAN 21, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V031000
N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SEATS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 27
Summary:
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NEW BEETLE AND NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE BARRIER TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2010.
Consequence:
THE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET WITH REQUIREMENTS THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, AND THEREFORE MAY NOT OFFER THE PROTECTION ATTENDANT TO THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL OFFER TO REPLACE THEIR VEHICLE WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE THAT WAS PRODUCED PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, COMPLIANT WITH FMVSS 208 REQUIREMENTS. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
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