TSB 2012855 — Volkswagen Service bulletin
2012855 is a service bulletin on file with NHTSA for 4 Volkswagen models, 1997–2004 model years, filed and re-filed as 5 documents. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
What the bulletin says. 17 17 01 July 5, 2017 2012855 Supersedes Technical Bulletin 17-16-02 (V171602) dated April 29, 2016 due to updated oil standards lists to current specifications. Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
NHTSA's own summary of the document, quoted from the public manufacturer-communications file.
Vehicles and model years 2012855 names
| Vehicle | Model years |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Beetle | 1998, 2004 |
| Volkswagen Golf | 1997, 1998, 2004 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004 |
Every document filed under 2012855
Manufacturers re-issue a bulletin as the repair changes, and file separate copies for technicians and for owners. All of them carry the same number.
| Document ID | Filed | Type |
|---|---|---|
| V171901_2012855 | November 25, 2019 | Service bulletin |
| V171901_2012855 | October 29, 2019 | Service bulletin |
| V171901_2012855 | September 24, 2019 | Service bulletin |
| V171901_2012855 | August 19, 2019 | Service bulletin |
| V171701 2012855 | July 5, 2017 | Service bulletin |
What 2012855 covers
Engine — the component vocabulary NHTSA files this communication under.
Questions buyers ask
What is TSB 2012855?
2012855 is a service bulletin filed with NHTSA by Volkswagen, covering 4 Volkswagen models across the 1997–2004 model years. NHTSA's summary reads: 17 17 01 July 5, 2017 2012855 Supersedes Technical Bulletin 17-16-02 (V171602) dated April 29, 2016 due to updated oil standards lists to current specifications. Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
Which vehicles does 2012855 cover?
NHTSA's file names Volkswagen Beetle (1998, 2004); Volkswagen Golf (1997–1998, 2004); Volkswagen Jetta (1997–1999, 2004); Volkswagen Passat (1997–1999, 2004). A bulletin number can be re-issued against more vehicles later, so check the model-year list on this page against your own.
Is TSB 2012855 a recall, and is the repair free?
No. 2012855 is repair guidance the manufacturer sent its dealers, not a safety defect finding. You pay for the work unless the vehicle is still under warranty. Recall repairs, by contrast, are always free.
How do I get the full text of 2012855?
Take the document ID to a dealer's service desk, or search NHTSA's manufacturer-communications records. This page carries every document ID filed under 2012855, its date, and NHTSA's own summary from the public file.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. This page lists only what NHTSA's manufacturer-communications file records under 2012855. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.