NHTSA campaign 20V505000 · Volkswagen campaign 72L1, 72K8, 72K9
Audi and Volkswagen Recall 20V-505: Front Seat Backrest Frame Not Welded Properly
NHTSA recall 20V505000 (Volkswagen campaign 72L1, 72K8, 72K9) was reported by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. on August 26, 2020, with 5,376 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Audi Q5, Audi SQ5, Volkswagen Atlas and more for model years 2020–2021. Owners were notified on September 11, 2020, 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 20V505000 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
- 20V505000 (also written 20V-505 or 20V505)
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Volkswagen campaign number
- 72L1, 72K8, 72K9
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 5,376 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Seats
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 98.16% (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 20V505000. 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
All Audi recallsVolkswagen
All Volkswagen recallsNHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 20V505000.
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
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 20V505000
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.