Volkswagen Crafter reliability
The Volkswagen Crafter fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 36% of 2,461 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.
14 DVSA recalls for the Volkswagen Crafter
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Our information shows your vehicle was originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Issue: The front airbag in your VW vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
Fix: The front airbag must be replaced. Immediate Action Required: Stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact the Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM to arrange your recall service.
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 2 vehicles
Natural gas system leak test
On Crafter “Grand California” vehicles of a limited production period there is a possibility that the leak test of the natural gas system was not correctly carried out. Leaks from the natural gas system cannot be ruled out.
Fix: On all affected vehicles a leak test of the natural gas system must be performed and if unsuccessful necessary repairs completed. After the repair the leak test of the natural gas system must be carried out again.
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 104 vehicles
Takata front passenger airbag
On affected vehicles with passenger airbags from the manufacturer Takata in the event of an accident with airbag activation the passenger airbag gas generator housing may burst and produce fragments.
Fix: : Replace the passenger’s airbag on affected vehicles.
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 180 vehicles
Takata Front airbag
The function of the driver airbag inflators can degrade due to air and moisture ingress.
Fix: Replace airbag
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 53,929 vehicles
The side or rear windows may become loose
Some side or rear windows may become loose
Fix: On the affected vehicles the side or rear windows have to be replaced
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 148 vehicles
There is the possibility that a small child could climb from the bunk bed out through the opened roof hatch
There is the possibility that small children could climb from the bunk bed out through the opened roof hatch.
Fix: On the affected vehicles protection against climbing out is to be fitted.
Recalled models: CRAFTER GRAND CALIFORNIA · 5 vehicles
Airbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident
Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision
Fix: On affected vehicles replace air bag assembly and seatbelt pretensioner where necessary.
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 3,879 vehicles
Bonded windows and/or fastening rails may detach
It is possible that some vehicles have poor paint adhesion which can lead to a reduced retaining force of the bonded windows/fastening rails. The windows may not remain attached to the vehicle when it is subject to high forces during a collision.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to remove the windscreen and prepare and repaint the receiving surfaces then re-bond the windscreen. If there are also windows in the load area these will be treated the same.
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 10 vehicles
Gearbox prop shaft may detach
The balance weight on the prop shaft may detach. This can lead to the prop shaft becoming insecure and in extreme cases where the concern is not rectified the prop shaft can detach. This will lead to significant damage to the vehicle and increase the risk of a collision.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replaced the balance weight on the prop shaft.
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 994 vehicles
Suspension may crack
The mountings on the axle where the rear leaf springs are fixed may crack. If this cracking is not repaired the suspension will eventually fail to its lowest point on that side.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and fit reinforcement plates extended U-bolts and nuts.
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 85 vehicles
Tow bar may detach
The bolts fixing the tow bar towing eye or rear step and support (5.0t only) are of an incorrect grade and as a result may affect the security of the components.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the bolts of the incorrect grade with ones of the correct grade.
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 1 vehicles
Airbag may not deploy
On affected Crafter vehicles some airbag control units may be incorrectly coded. It is also possible the wrong parameter set has been assigned to the airbag control unit.
Fix: Where necessary the airbag control unit will be replaced
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 55 vehicles
Handbrake may not fully apply
It has been identified that on some vehicles the rear brake shoe adjustment bushes can because of insufficient wall thickness break when the handbrake is applied.
Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the subject adjustment bushes replaced.
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 12 vehicles
Fuel pump may fail - engine may cut out
The power supply to the fuel pump may fail due to widened plug contacts in the central electrics unit
Fix: Recall affected vehicles check production date of central electrics unit and replace if necessary.
Recalled models: CRAFTER · 38 vehicles
Checking a Volkswagen Crafter before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.