VW to recall 56,000 Golf 8 models to update the software

14/01/2021

Volkswagen will update the software of 56,000 eighth-generation Golf models manufactured before July 2020. It began sending letters to the owners of the affected cars on January 11, 2021. The update in an authorized workshop will take at least five hours.

The Volkswagen Golf 8 did not have a smooth start last year. Software problems, especially in the modular infotainment kit (MIB-II), caused delays before the series production. In addition, in mid-May 2020, the carmaker even had to stop production of the new Golf. The internal investigation found that some vehicles cannot reliably transmit data to the online connection control unit (OCU3). Therefore, it was impossible to guarantee the eCall emergency system’s full functionality, and Volkswagen recalled thousands of vehicles. Problems with the eCall have also appeared with the Škoda Octavia Mk4 – see our recent articles below.

This service campaign is not a recall in the true sense and is unlikely to appear in the EU Rapex warning system either, as the defect does not endanger users’ safety or health. The authorized workshop will install new software and, in the case of some mild-hybrid versions (7,400 cars), even the control unit. The 26,000 of the total number of 56,000 cars affected are registered in Germany.

According to a VW spokesman, the update should take about five hours, but significantly longer if the control unit needs to be replaced. Customers should expect to bring their vehicle to the dealership in the morning and pick it up in the evening. Volkswagen will provide a replacement vehicle while the car is in the workshop. The service campaign is voluntary and free for customers.

The 2020 Volkswagen Golf 8 with an automatic transmission and left-hand-drive was also recalled at the end of last year together with other VW models due to a possible break in the brake pedal. We wrote about it in an article: Volkswagen to recall thousands of new cars because of a problem with the brake pedal

-rb-

Source: auto-motor-und-sport.de

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Please note that the recall may not apply to all vehicles produced in a given period. If you think your car might be affected, you should immediately contact an dealer or workshop officially authorised to perform repairs on behalf of the manufacturer and ask for the details. You can use our sample request text. After reporting the vehicle's VIN code, you will find out if the defect is present on your car, or if it has already been resolved by the previous owner if the car was purchased second-hand.

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