Volkswagen recalls 50K Jettas
Volkswagen recalled roughly 48–50K Jetta sedans over an electrical fire risk tied to an uninstalled ground wire — a reminder that missed grounding basics become national liability stories. That recall is being cited across consumer safety briefings as a reason owners should seek immediate inspection and repair. ((motor1.com)) ((wsoctv.com))
NHTSA’s formal file lists the action as campaign 26V138 and Volkswagen’s internal recall identifier as 97TC, with the manufacturer’s report submitted to regulators on March 11, 2026. (static.nhtsa.gov) The U.S. population for the campaign is 48,165 Jetta sedans built between March 3, 2025, and February 17, 2026, according to Volkswagen’s production records submitted to NHTSA. (static.nhtsa.gov) Transport Canada issued its own recall (2026‑110) covering 13,318 Jettas in Canada, bringing the North American count to 61,483 affected vehicles. (recalls-rappels.canada.ca) NHTSA’s report attributes the fault to a transmission ground wire that may not have been attached to the left‑side member stud, notes the oil‑pressure unit (OPU HW 05) is part of the circuit, and states the condition arose from human error during assembly; Volkswagen estimates under 1% of the recalled cars actually contain the defect. (static.nhtsa.gov) The agency’s file records vehicle‑damage reports from two U.S. vehicles and one Canadian vehicle and says Volkswagen is aware of an additional unconfirmed claim; separate media accounts cite three confirmed engine‑compartment fires and three incidents of melted wiring and connectors in the U.S. and Canada. (static.nhtsa.gov) Volkswagen will have dealers inspect and, where necessary, attach or repair the transmission ground wire at no charge, VINs became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 13, 2026, and owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning May 8, 2026. (static.nhtsa.gov) The NHTSA submission identifies the affected component and supplier location as the Oil Pressure Unit (OPU HW 05) and lists the assembly source as Volkswagen de México (Puebla plant, Km. 116 Autopista Mexico‑Puebla) in the supplier/parts section of the report. (static.nhtsa.gov)
