NHTSA campaign 18V803000 · Volkswagen campaign VW 72H8 / Audi 72H9
Audi and Volkswagen Recall 18V-803: Incorrectly Welded Rear Seat Guide Sleeves
NHTSA recall 18V803000 (Volkswagen campaign VW 72H8 / Audi 72H9) was reported by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. on November 14, 2018, with 169 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Audi A3 Cabriolet, Audi RS 3, Volkswagen E-Golf and more for the 2018 model year. Owners were notified on December 28, 2018, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 18V803000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 18V803000 (also written 18V-803 or 18V803)
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Volkswagen campaign number
- VW 72H8 / Audi 72H9
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 169 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Seats — Mid/Rear Assembly
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 86.98% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
NHTSA cautions against comparing completion rates across recalls or manufacturers. How try.vin reads them.
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 18V803000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
Audi
Audi A3 Cabriolet
- 2018 · Vehicles built June 8, 2018 – July 11, 2018 (per NHTSA)
Audi RS 3
- 2018 · Vehicles built June 9, 2018 – July 2, 2018 (per NHTSA)
Volkswagen
Volkswagen E-Golf
- 2018 · Vehicles built May 22, 2018 – May 28, 2018 (per NHTSA)
Volkswagen Golf R
- 2018 · Vehicles built May 18, 2018 – August 9, 2018 (per NHTSA)
NHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 18V803000.
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
Safety consequence
If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints may have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72H8 (VW) and 72H9(Audi).
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.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 18V803000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.