2020–2021 Volkswagen & Audi (6 models) Seats Recall 20V505000 (Volkswagen 72L1)

NHTSA recall 20V505000 (Volkswagen recall 72L1 / 72K8) covers about 5,376 2020–2021 Volkswagen & Audi (6 models) vehicles (seats), filed with NHTSA Aug 26, 2020. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory.

Source: NHTSA campaign 20V505000 · Data as of Nov 6, 2026 · By CarWhere Research

5,376
vehicles affected (potential)
2020–2021
model years
Aug 26, 2020
filed with NHTSA
None
NHTSA advisory

What's recalled

Component: Seats

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

The risk

In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.

The remedy and its status

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.

Status: NHTSA lists Sep 11, 2020 as the owner-notification date for this campaign.

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.

Volkswagen recall number 72L1 / 72K8 / 72K9

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number for 20V505000 as 72L1, 72K8, 72K9. Owner letters and dealer service departments often use this code, so a search for "72L1 recall" refers to the same campaign.

Affected models and years

Models and model years NHTSA lists for this campaign. Not every vehicle of a listed model and year is included; check by VIN.

VehicleModel yearsMore
Volkswagen Atlas2021All Atlas recalls
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport2020—
Volkswagen Jetta2020All Jetta recallsYears to avoid
Volkswagen Tiguan2020All Tiguan recallsYears to avoid
Audi Q52020All Q5 recallsYears to avoid
Audi SQ52020—

Key dates

Report filed with NHTSA
Aug 26, 2020
Owner notification
Sep 11, 2020
Recall initiated by
the manufacturer
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Check your VIN for 20V505000

  1. Find the 17-character VIN on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the door-jamb sticker, or your registration.
  2. Enter it in NHTSA's free VIN recall lookup. It shows every open recall on that exact vehicle, including this one if it applies and hasn't been repaired.
  3. If 20V505000 is open, call any Volkswagen dealer's service department and give them the recall number (20V505000 or 72L1). The repair is free.

Not sure of the exact model or year? Decode it first with the free VIN decoder.

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 20V505000?

NHTSA recall 20V505000 (Volkswagen recall 72L1 / 72K8) covers about 5,376 2020–2021 Volkswagen & Audi (6 models) vehicles (seats), filed with NHTSA Aug 26, 2020. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. It covers certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles.

Is it safe to drive a vehicle with recall 20V505000?

NHTSA's record for 20V505000 carries no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. The risk NHTSA lists is: "In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury." Get the free repair as soon as it is available for your vehicle.

How do I know if my vehicle is affected by 20V505000?

Only a VIN lookup can tell you. Not every vehicle of the listed models and years is included, and repaired vehicles drop off. Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Volkswagen dealer to check it.

What is the fix for recall 20V505000, and is it free?

NHTSA's record says: "Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge." NHTSA lists Sep 11, 2020 as the owner-notification date for this campaign. Safety-recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.

What is the Volkswagen recall number for 20V505000?

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number as 72L1, 72K8, 72K9. Dealers and owner letters often use that code (72L1, 72K8, 72K9) instead of the NHTSA campaign number 20V505000.

Sources and method

  • NHTSA recall record for 20V505000, from NHTSA's public recall campaign database. Problem, risk and remedy text is NHTSA's own wording.
  • "Vehicles affected" is NHTSA's potential-units-affected count for the whole campaign.
  • Data as of Nov 6, 2026. NHTSA updates campaigns as manufacturers file amendments, so check the official record for the latest.

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