VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP COMMUNICATION
Date:

May 3, 2016

To:

Dealer Principal, Sales Manager, Service Manager, Parts Manager and Warranty Administrator

Subject: Upcoming Update 96D6 – Park Assist and Blind Spot Detection
2016 MY Volkswagen Passat

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO DEALERS - FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
This is to inform you of an upcoming Update that will be visible in Elsa and ServiceNet on or about May
4, 2016.
Please refer to the Elsa campaign/action screen for confirmation of whether the Update applies to each
specific vehicle, and look to Elsa and ServiceNet for additional information and complete repair
instructions.
Consistent with general Volkswagen corporate policy governing Updates, Volkswagen is not notifying
consumers. (Updates differ from recalls and service actions; consumers are notified in writing of recalls
and service actions.) Each vehicle should be completed when it is in to the dealer for maintenance or any
other service visit. Dealer stock vehicles cannot, however, be delivered to consumers until the Update
is completed.
To identify any vehicles in your inventory that are affected by this Update, please run the “New and CPO
Inventory Open Campaign/Action Listing” report from the OMD Web system.
Dealers must ensure that every affected vehicle gets the update before delivery to consumers. Your effort
is integral in reaching the highest quality expectations of Volkswagen customers.
If you have any questions or require additional assistance, please contact Warranty.

Volkswagen Customer Protection
Attachment: Update Data Sheet (1)

96D6/7Q

UPDATE DATA SHEET
SAGA CODE
MARKET(S)
AFFECTED VEHICLES
CODE VISIBILITY DATE
TOPIC
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

96D6
United States and Canada
2016 MY Passat
On or about May 3, 2016
Park Assist and Blind Spot Detection
Blind Spot Detection
The factory calibration of the Blind Spot Detection system may be
overly sensitive and detect objects in the blind spot that are not
present.
Park Assist
From the factory, the wheel circumference was incorrectly
programmed into the park assist module. Incorrectly adapted wheel
circumference can cause the vehicle to contact the curb while parallel
parking.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

VEHICLE WARRANTY PARAMETER
VEHICLE COUNT

TOTAL AFFECTED

Blind Spot Detection
Install updated software in the blind spot detection module.
Park Assist
Input the correct wheel circumference values into park assist module.
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
USA: 2,465
Canada: 594

APPROXIMATE REPAIR TIME
SPECIAL TOOLS NEEDED?
PARTS REQUIRED
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Up to 40 TU
SEE UPDATE TECHNICAL BULLETIN
N/A – Software Update
Please ensure that this UPDATE is performed on every applicable
vehicle before delivery to consumers. Your effort is integral in reaching
the highest quality expectations of Volkswagen customers.
Please reinforce the correct repair description of this action with all
dealership personnel – this action is a vehicle UPDATE, not a recall.

IMPORTANT! To ensure that ALL of your personnel are aware of this action before receiving questions from any customer, please share this information with ALL personnel
who have campaign-related responsibilities, including service writers, technicians, parts employees, warranty administrators, etc. See the campaign circular on Elsa for the
most current repair information. Refer to the campaign circular for complete repair and claiming instructions. ©2016 Volkswagen Group of America/Volkswagen Canada, Inc.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin
May 4, 2016
96D6 UPDATE – Park Assist and Blind Spot Detection (NVLW)
NOTE:
• Perform this UPDATE on all applicable vehicles within NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY.
• It is MANDATORY to perform UPDATES on all applicable vehicles in dealer inventory PRIOR TO
RETAIL SALE.
• Inform customers that this UPDATE will be available free of charge as long as their vehicle is within the
Warranty parameters outlined in this UPDATE.
NOTE:
Required DMS Wording//Text: (line item, customer concern description on repair order):
UPDATE Code 96D6 Park Assist & Blind Spot Detection (NVLW)

Model(s)

Year

Engine Code

Trans. Code

Passat

2016

All

All

REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

1

May 4, 2016

Original publication

Condition
This update has been proactively released to prevent malfunctions of the park assist and/or blind spot
detection features.
This UPDATE is in effect until removed.
Vehicle must meet all of the following criteria:
•

Procedure is valid only for vehicles that show the 96D6 code in Elsa, Campaign/Action Information
screen on the day of repair.

•

If the vehicle is sold it must be within the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period.

•

Procedure must be performed within the allotted time frame stated in this UPDATE.

•

Procedure must be performed on applicable vehicles in dealer inventory prior to sale.

Page 1 of 13
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin
Technical Background
Blind Spot Detection
The factory calibration of the Blind Spot Detection system may be overly sensitive and detect objects
in the blind spot that are not present.
Park Assist
From the factory, the wheel circumference was incorrectly programmed into the park assist module.
Incorrectly adapted wheel circumference can cause the vehicle to contact the curb while parallel
parking.

Production Solution
Blind Spot Detection
Install updated software in the blind spot detection module.
Park Assist
Input the correct wheel circumference values into park assist module.

Page 2 of 13
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin
Service
NOTE:
• Elsa is the only valid inquiry/verification source. Check Elsa on the day this vehicle UPDATE will be
performed to verify vehicle eligibility for the UPDATE. Status must show “open”. Attach an Elsa printout
showing the “open” status to the repair order.
• If this UPDATE appears to have already been performed but the code still shows open in Elsa, contact
Warranty before proceeding further. Another dealer may have recently performed this UPDATE but not
yet entered a claim for it in the system.
• Elsa may also show additional open action(s); if so, inform your customer - this work can be done while
the vehicle is in for this UPDATE.
• Contact the Warranty Helpline (U.S.) or the Warranty Campaign Specialist (Canada) if you have any
questions.

Section A – Check for Previous Repair
•

Enter the VIN in Elsa and proceed to the
“Campaign/Action” screen

TIP
On the date of repair, print this screen and
keep a copy with the repair order
•

Ensure that the Status is “Open”

•

Note the Applicable Criteria ID
for use in determining the
correct work to be done and
corresponding parts associated.

Proceed to Section B

Page 3 of 13
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin
Section B - Update Blind Spot Detection Software (Criteria 01)
TIP
To Update-Programming using SVM, review and follow instructions in Technical Bulletin Instance
2014603 “Software Version Management”.
The SVM Process must be completed in its entirety so the database receives the update confirmation
response. A warranty claim may not be reimbursed if there is no confirmation response to support the
claim.
NOTE
Prior to launching VAS Diagnostic Device application and starting control module update process, confirm
tester screen saver and power settings are off.
Failure to do so may result in the tester entering power save mode during data transfer, and subsequent
control module failure.
When using any tester in conjunction with a VAS 5054A wireless transmitter head for a flash procedure:
•

Connect the tester using an Ethernet “hard line” cable between the tester and the on-line network.
DO NOT USE WI-FI.

•

Connect a USB cable between the transmitter head and the tester. Failure to do so may lead to
errors during the flash procedure.

•

DISABLE BLUETOOTH and ensure that the tester is NOT communicating via Bluetooth as
the Bluetooth protocol is not a robust data transfer environment for the flash process. DO
NOT USE BLUETOOTH for flashing. Control module failures caused by flashing via
Bluetooth will not be covered.

All Volkswagen scan tool devices must only be used with their power adapters plugged in. Under no
circumstances should they be used on battery power alone during the programming procedure.
Critical Warning: The Midtronics Battery Charger must be connected to the vehicle battery for the
duration of the programming, to ensure the battery state of charge remains above 12.5 volts during the
update process. If the battery drops below 12.5 volts, the programming could fail which may result in
damage to the control module.
WARNING
Radiator Fan(s) may cycle ON high speed during the Update Process! There is a serious risk that
personal injury may result if contact is made with spinning fan blades. Keep hands and all objects away
from Radiator Fan(s) during Update Process!

Page 4 of 13
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin

•

Connect the tester to the on-line network
using an Ethernet cable.

•

Connect the VAS 5054A transmitter head
to the VAS tester using the USB cable.

•

Disable Bluetooth by physically turning the
switch to the off position.

NOTE
If the Bluetooth wireless VAS 5054A transmitter
head is used in conjunction with a VAS tester,
the transmitter head MUST BE connected with a
USB cable to the tester.

WARNING
The Bluetooth function of the scan tool MUST
BE PHYSICALLY SWITCHED OFF prior to
performing this update.

Page 5 of 13
© 2016 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

UPDATE Technical Bulletin

TIP
If necessary, refer to instructions in TB, 2014603:
00 Software Version Management (SVM),
operating instructions.

•

Connect an appropriate VAS tester to the
vehicle.

•

Start the ODIS program.

•

Select “OBD” .

•

Select “Start self diagnosis”

•