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Volkswagen Golf Recall 18V464: Key Can Be Removed While Car Is Not in Park

NHTSA campaign 18V464, reported July 11, 2018, 33,168 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

Silicate buildup on the shift lever micro switch contacts can allow the key to be pulled out of the ignition while the shift lever is not in Park. The vehicles also do not meet federal theft protection and rollaway prevention requirements.

If the key is removed with the shift lever in a position other than Park, the vehicle can roll away unintentionally, which raises the risk of personal injury or a crash.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and authorized dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board at no cost. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners can contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 (recall number 37L5), and should check their VIN for open recalls.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 18V464Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE; STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf and Golf Sportwagen vehicles. The build of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition while the vehicle shift lever is not in "Park." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37L5.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

Volkswagen Golf2015201620172018
Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen2015201620172018