
Volkswagen offers two different front passenger front airbag systems:
AB
Features of the front passenger 
front airbag that can only be 
switched off by a qualified 
workshop.
Features of the front passenger 
front airbag that can be switched 
off manually using the key-operated 
switch ⇒ Switching the front passenger 
front airbag on and off.
– Indicator lamp  in the instrument cluster.– Indicator lamp  in the instrument cluster.
– Front passenger front airbag in the dash 
panel.
– PASSENGER AIR BAG  indicator 
lamp in the upper section of the centre console.
– PASSENGER AIR BAG  indicator 
lamp in the upper section of the centre console.
– Key-operated switch in the side of the dash 
panel on the passenger side (only visible when 
the door is openyf .
– Front passenger front airbag in the dash 
panel.
Name: airbag system.Name: airbag system with front 
passenger front airbag 
deactivation.
Indicator lamp
Fig. 43 In the upper section of the centre console: indicator lamp for disabled and enabled front 
passenger front airbag.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Lit upLocationPossible causeAction
Instrument cluster.Fault in airbag and belt 
tensioner system.
Go to a qualified workshop to have 
the system checked immediately.
Upper section of 
the centre console 
⇒ Fig. 43.
Fault in the airbag 
system.
Go to a qualified workshop to have 
the system checked immediately.
Front passenger front 
airbag switched off.
Check whether the airbag should stay 
switched off.
Upper section of 
the centre console 
⇒ Fig. 43.
Front passenger front 
airbag switched on.
No solution – the indicator lamp will 
disappear automatically approximately 
60 seconds after the ignition is 
switched on, or after the front 
passenger front airbag is switched on 
using the key-operated switch.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is 
switched on. They will go out after a few seconds.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG  indicator lamp in the upper section of the centre console 
does not light up continuously when the front passenger front airbag is deactivated, or if it lights 
up with the  indicator lamp in the instrument cluster, a fault in the airbag system may have 
occurred ⇒.
If there is a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not trigger correctly, may not trigger 
at all or may trigger unexpectedly. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.
•The airbag system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
•Never fit a child seat to the front passenger seat or remove a child seat that is already 
fitted. The front passenger front airbag may trigger during an accident in spite of the 
fault.
WARNING
Failure to observe the illuminated indicator lamps could lead to the vehicle being 
damaged.
NOTICE 

Description and function of the airbags
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The airbags can protect vehicle occupants during frontal and side collisions by reducing their 
movement in the direction of the collision.
When an airbag is triggered, it is inflated by a gas generator. This causes the airbag covers to 
break, and the airbags inflate forcefully to cover their deployment zones within milliseconds. Once a 
vehicle occupant wearing a seat belt starts to sink into the inflated airbag, the gas inside the airbag 
starts to escape to cushion the occupant and slow down their movement. This can reduce the risk 
of severe and fatal injuries. A triggered airbag will not always prevent other injuries from occurring, 
such as swelling, bruising, burning and grazing. The deployment of the airbag can also produce 
frictional heat.
Airbags provide no protection for the arms or lower body. Exception: in vehicles with a knee airbag, 
the knee area of the driver will be protected.
The most important factors for triggering the airbag are the type of accident, the angle of impact, 
the vehicle speed and the type of object with which the vehicle collides. Therefore, visible damage 
to the vehicle does not always mean that the airbag should have been triggered.
Whether or not the airbag triggers is determined by the vehicle deceleration rate caused by the 
collision and registered by the electronic control unit. If this rate is below the reference value 
programmed into the control unit, the airbags will not be triggered, even though the vehicle may be 
badly damaged as a result of the collision. Vehicle damage, repair costs or even the lack of vehicle 
damage in an accident do not necessarily give an indication of whether an airbag should inflate or 
not. It is not possible to define a range of vehicle speeds and reference values, since the 
circumstances will vary considerably between one collision and another. It is therefore impossible to 
cover every possible kind and angle of impact that would trigger the airbags. Important factors in 
the triggering of the airbag include the nature (hard or softyf  R I  W K H  R E M H F W  W K D W  W K H  Y H K L F O H  K L W V   W K H  
angle of impact, and the vehicle speed.
Airbags only serve as a supplement to the three-point seat belt in some accident situations when 
the vehicle braking is sufficient to trigger the airbags. Airbags can only be triggered once and only 
in certain situations. The seat belts are always there to provide protection in situations in which the 
airbags are not triggered or have already been triggered. For example, if the vehicle collides with a 
further vehicle following the initial collision, or is hit by another vehicle.
The airbag system is part of the vehicle's overall passive safety concept. The airbag system can 
only work effectively when the occupants are wearing their seat belts correctly and have assumed a 
proper sitting position ⇒ Sitting position.
Components of the vehicle safety concept
The following vehicle safety equipment makes up the vehicle's safety concept to reduce the risk of 
severe and fatal injuries. Some of this equipment may not be fitted in your particular vehicle. It may 
not be available at all in some countries.
•Optimised seat belts for all seats.
•Belt tensioners for the driver and front passenger and also on the rear outer seats if in 
conjunction with side airbags.
•Belt tension limiter for the driver, front passenger and, if applicable, for the rear outer seats.
•Belt height adjuster for the front seats.
•Warning lamp  and belt status display.
•Front airbags for driver and front passenger.
•Side airbags for the driver, front passenger and, if applicable, for the rear outer seats.
•Curtain airbags on the left and right.
•If applicable, knee airbag for the driver.
•Airbag indicator lamp .
•Indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG  in the upper section of the centre console.
•Indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG  in the upper section of the centre console.
•Control units and sensors.
•Whiplash-optimised and height-adjustable head restraints.
•Adjustable steering column.
•If applicable, anchor points for child seats on the rear outer seats and on the front passenger 
seat.
•If applicable, securing points for the top tether for child seats.
Situations when the front, knee, side and curtain airbags will not be 
triggered:
•If the ignition is switched off during a collision.
•If the level of deceleration measured by the control unit is too low during a collision at the front 
of the vehicle.
•During a minor side collision.
•During rear collisions. 

•If the vehicle rolls over.
•If the speed in a collision is lower than the reference value specified in the control unit.
Front airbags
Fig. 44 Location and deployment zone of the driver front airbag.
Fig. 45 Location and deployment zone of the front passenger front airbag.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front occupants additional 
protection for the head and chest in the event of a severe frontal collision. Always keep as far away 
from the front airbag as possible ⇒ Sitting position. This allows the front airbags to inflate fully 
when triggered, thus providing maximum protection.
The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 44 and the front airbag for the 
front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒ Fig. 45. The airbag locations are identified by the 
text AIRBAG.
The areas inside the red lines are covered by the front airbags when deployed (deployment zoneyf   
You must never leave or attach any objects in these areas ⇒. Any factory-fitted accessories will 
not be struck if the driver and front passenger front airbags are deployed.
Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.
•Always leave the deployment zones of the front airbags clear.
•Never attach any objects, such as drink or telephone holders, to the covers of the 
airbag modules or anywhere in the airbag module deployment zone.
•No other people, animals or objects may be carried between the occupants of the front 
seats and the airbag deployment zone. Ensure that children and passengers keep to 
this rule.
•Do not attach any objects, e.g. mobile navigation devices, to the windscreen above the 
front airbag on the front passenger side.
•Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the soft plastic surface of 
the airbag unit in the dash panel on the front passenger side, and do not modify them 
in any way.
DANGER
The front airbags are deployed in front of the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 44 and dash panel 
⇒ Fig. 45.
•When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the outside of the 
ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions.
•Adjust the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm between your breastbone and the 
hub of the steering wheel. Contact a qualified workshop if your physical build makes 
this impracticable.
•Adjust the front passenger seat so that the distance between the passenger and the 
dash panel is as large as possible.
WARNING 

Fig. 50 On the driver side: location of the knee airbag
Fig. 51 On the driver side: deployment zone of the knee airbag.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The knee airbag on the driver side is located in the lower part of the dash panel.
The location of the knee airbag is indicated by the AIRBAG label ⇒ Fig. 50.
The area in the red frame ⇒ Fig. 51 is covered by the knee airbag when triggered (deployment 
zoneyf   ) R U  W K L V  U H D V R Q   \ R X  P X V W  Q H Y H U  O H D Y H  R U  D W W D F K  D Q \  L W H P V  L Q  W K L V  D U H D  ⇒.
Safe transport of children
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Types of child seat
⇒ Installing and using child seats
⇒ Securing systems
⇒ Securing child seats with ISOFIX
⇒ Securing child seats with top tether upper strap
⇒ Securing child seats with a seat belt
Using child seats can reduce the risk of injury to the child if there is an accident. Always use child 
seats when driving with children.
Note the following:
•Child seats are classified into groups depending on the size, age and weight of child for which 
they are designed.
•Various securing systems are used to secure child seats in the vehicle.
For safety reasons, child seats should always be fitted to the rear seats ⇒ Installing and using child 
seats.
Volkswagen recommends child seats from the Volkswagen range of accessories. These child seats 
have been developed and approved for use in Volkswagen vehicles.
Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.
•Do not use any objects, e.g. key rings, that could interfere with the deployment zone of 
the knee airbag.
•Never secure any items on the cover or in the deployment zone of the knee airbag.
•The knee airbag is deployed in the area in front of the driver's knees. Adjust the driver 
seat so there is at least a 10 cm gap between the knees and the location of the knee 
airbag. Contact a qualified workshop if your physical build makes this impracticable.
WARNING 

Types of child seat
Fig. 52 Some typical child seats.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Only use child seats that have been officially approved and are suitable for the child.
Standards for child seats
Regulations ECE-R 44 or ECE-R 129 apply to child seats within the European Union. Both 
regulations apply simultaneously. Child seats which have been tested in accordance with these 
standards carry an orange ECE approval label. This ECE approval label may include the following 
information on the child seat:
•Weight class
•Size class
•Approval category (universal, semi-universal, vehicle-specific or i-Sizeyf
•Approval number
On child seats that are approved under regulation ECE-R 44, the eight-digit approval number on 
the ECE approval label must begin with 03 or 04. This shows that the seat is admissible for use. 
Older child seats with an approval number beginning with 01 or 02 are not admissible.
Child seat weight classes
ClassChild's weight
Group 0up to 10 kg
Group 0+up to 13 kg
Group 19 to 18 kg
Group 215 to 25 kg
Group 322 to 36 kg
If children are not secured or are inadequately secured, they are at greater risk of serious 
or even fatal injury. Please note the following:
•Children who are either under 12 years of age or less than 150 cm tall must not be 
carried in the vehicle if they are not secured in a suitable child seat while the vehicle is 
in motion. Regulations in some countries may differ, and must be complied with.
•Always secure children in the vehicle in a suitable child seat. The seat used must be 
appropriate to the child's height, weight and age.
•Never fasten more than one child into one child seat.
•Under no circumstances should children or babies be held in a passenger's or drivers 
lap while driving.
•Never leave a child unsupervised in a child seat.
•Never allow a child to be carried in a vehicle without being properly secured, and never 
allow a child to stand up or to kneel on a seat, or to sit incorrectly while the car is in 
motion. This is particularly important for children carried on the front passenger seat. 
In an accident, children may sustain serious injuries to themselves and others.
•The child seat can only provide maximum protection if the seat belt is routed correctly 
around it. Always ensure that the seat belt is routed as specified in the instructions 
provided by the child seat manufacturer. If the seat belt is routed incorrectly it may 
cause injuries even in a minor accident.
•After an accident, it is vital to replace any child seats that were in use during the 
accident, as they could have sustained non-visible damage.
WARNING
Observe the instructions and information relating to vehicles with N1 approval 
⇒ Information about vehicles with N1 approval (light commercial vehicleyf.
NOTICE
1yf 

•Weight class 0/0+: group 0/0+ or 0/1 rear-facing infant carriers ⇒ Fig. 52 are the best option 
for the period from birth to about 18 months.
•Weight class 1: group 1 (up to about four years oldyf  R U  J U R X S       X S  W R  D E R X W  V H Y H Q  \ H D U V  R O G \f 
with an integral belt system are best for children over the relevant weight limit.
•Weight classes 2/3: groups 2 and 3 include child seats with a backrest, and booster seats with 
no backrest. Child seats with a backrest have integrated seat routing and side cushions, and so 
provide better protection than booster seats with no backrest. Volkswagen therefore 
recommends the use of child seats with a backrest. Group 2 child seats are for children up to 
the age of about seven, group 3 child seats for those older than seven.
Not every child will fit in the child seat specified for their weight group. Likewise, not every seat will 
fit in every vehicle. Therefore it is vital to check that the child fits properly in their child seat and that 
the child seat can be securely fastened in the vehicle.
Child seat approval categories
Child seats can be classified as universal, semi-universal or vehicle-specific (all in accordance with 
regulation ECE-R 44yf   R U  D V  L  6 L ] H   L Q  D F F R U G D Q F H  Z L W K  U H J X O D W L R Q  ( &