Master Cylinder Has Insufficient Fluid Seal Crimp – Tenneco Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders

September 23, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20E064000

Master Cylinder Has Insufficient Fluid Seal Crimp

If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20E064

Manufacturer Tenneco Automotive

Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Potential Number of Units Affected 38

 

Summary

Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

 

Remedy

Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.

 

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.

 

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Beck/Arnley Warranty Claims Process

 

RECALL NO. 20E064

October 2020

 

Key Information:

Part Number	072-9831
Production Codes	21A, 26A, 37A, or 40A
Purchased AFTER	August 1, 2019
Replacement Number	072-9990

 

Situation:

Any of the above part number with one of the listed production codes on the front end of the master cylinder can be returned for credit or replacement, even if installed.  All credits or replacement parts will be direct to authorized Beck/Arnley distributors.

 

To Obtain Replacement Parts:

Please contact Beck/Arnley Customer Service at 888-464-2325 or [email protected] and reference the above Recall Number along with your Beck/Arnley account information.  Customer Service will need the date of purchase from the original sales receipt and confirmation of the production number from the front of the master cylinder.

• You will need to either fax (1-615-220-3290) or e-mail a copy of the customers receipt.
• You will have your choice of a replacement master cylinder or a credit, at current invoice value for the master cylinder. Replacement parts will be shipped to arrive within 3 business days with no shipping charge.
• Customer Service will advise whether the old part needs to be returned, at our expense, or destroyed at the time of your call.

 

To Obtain Replacement Parts and Reimbursement for Installation:

Please contact Beck/Arnley Customer Service at 888-464-2325 or [email protected] and reference the above Recall Number along with your Beck/Arnley account information.  You will need the date of purchase from the original sales receipt of the part as well as installation, along with confirmation of the production number from the front of the master cylinder.

• You will also need you to either fax (1-615-220-3290) or e-mail a copy of all receipts including the sales receipt and installation receipt.
• You will have your choice of a replacement master cylinder or a credit, at current invoice value for the master cylinder. Replacement parts will be shipped to arrive within 3 business days with no shipping charge.
• Labor will be credited to your account at a warranty flat rate of $54.40 per documented occurrence.
• Customer Service will advise whether the old part needs to be returned, at our expense, or destroyed at the time of your call.

 

Beck/Arnley ● 2375 Midway Lane ● Smyrna TN 37167-5881
Tel. (615) 220-3200 ● Fax (615) 220-3290 ● BeckArnley.com

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

RECALL NO. 20E064

October 2020

 

Dear Valued Beck/Arnley Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.  Beck Arnley Holdings LLC (Beck/Arnley) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain brake master cylinders, Part No. 072-9831, intended for aftermarket installation on VW Jetta 20042018 and VW Beetle 2012-2019 vehicles.  We are conducting a voluntary safety recall to address the issue.

 

What Products are Involved?

This recall involves Beck/Arnley Master Cylinder Part No. 072-9831 marked with the following production date codes: 21A, 26A, 37A, and 40A. The date code is etched on the product as shown in the photo to the right.  These products were sold through retailers and installers August 1, 2019 through July 1, 2020. Only products with these production date codes are covered by this recall.

 

What is the Problem?

Our supplier has advised us that, some master cylinders within this production range may have an insufficient fluid seal crimp, which may allow brake fluid to leak from the master cylinder or, in extreme cases, cause the cylinder to come apart.  A failure could result in reduced braking capacity or, in extreme cases, a complete loss of braking function, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.  The vehicle operator may experience some loss of braking power and a red brake light will illuminate to indicate loss of brake fluid.

 

What should you do?

If you purchased your Beck/Arnley Master Cylinder Part No. 072-9831 from August 1, 2019 through July 1, 2020, please contact the place of purchase to have your master cylinder inspected to determine whether it is covered by this recall. If covered, you will receive a replacement master cylinder free of charge, parts and labor.  A redesigned master cylinder, Part No. 072-9990, is currently available.

 

Questions or Concerns?

For the most efficient service, your distributor has been instructed how to manage the return of these parts. As such, they should be your first point of contact related to this recall. If you do not obtain the service required, you may contact Ricky Torain of Beck/Arnley at (540) 432-3516 or [email protected]. If you are unable to obtain a remedy without charge within a reasonable time, you may submit a complaint to: Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590; or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we are taking this action in the interest of your personal safety and satisfaction with our products.

 

Sincerely,

 

Beck/Arnley

 

Beck/Arnley ● 2375 Midway Lane ● Smyrna TN 37167-5881
Tel. (615) 220-3200 ● Fax (615) 220-3290 ● BeckArnley.com

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

RECALL NO. 20E064

October 2020

 

Dear Valued Beck/Arnley Customer:

We are writing to inform you that Beck Arnley Holdings LLC (Beck/Arnley) is conducting a voluntary safety recall of certain brake master cylinders, Part No. 072-9831, intended for aftermarket installation on VW Jetta 20042018 and VW Beetle 2012-2019 vehicles.  Our records indicate that some of the recalled products were shipped to you.

 

What Products are Involved?

This recall involves Beck/Arnley Master Cylinder Part No. 072-9831 marked with the following production date codes: 21A, 26A, 37A, and 40A. The date code is etched on the product as shown in the photo to the right.  These products were shipped to distributors after August 1, 2019. Only products with these production date codes are covered by this recall.

 

What is the Problem?

Our supplier has advised us that, some master cylinders within this production range may have an insufficient fluid seal crimp, which may allow brake fluid to leak from the master cylinder or, in extreme cases, cause the cylinder to come apart.  A failure could result in reduced braking capacity or, in extreme cases, a complete loss of braking function, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.  The vehicle operator may experience some loss of braking power and a red brake light will illuminate to indicate loss of brake fluid.

 

What should you do? 

(a) Product Remaining in Your Inventory: If any of the subject parts remain in your inventory, you should return them to Beck/Arnley per the attached “Directed Stock Return” instructions.  A redesigned master cylinder, PN 072-9990, is currently available. Note: It is a violation of federal law to sell the recalled products.

(b) Products You Sold to Other Resellers: If you sold the recalled master cylinders to reselling customers, you must forward a copy of this letter and enclosed “owner letter” to them within five (5) business days of receipt. The recalled product should be returned to you, the original point of purchase, for a refund or to receive a replacement master cylinder.

(c) Products You Installed or Sold to Consumers: You must immediately check your sale records to identify any consumers to whom you sold the recalled product and send the consumer a copy of the enclosed NHTSA-approved letter, which instructs the consumer to contact his/her installer to receive a replacement master cylinder. When contacted by the consumer, please do the following: (1) Inspect the customer’s master cylinder to determine whether it is marked with one of the suspect production date codes (see above).  (2) If the product is covered, arrange to have the master cylinder replaced with a new, redesigned master cylinder,

 

Beck/Arnley Part No. Part No. 072-9990, at no cost to the customer; (3) Submit a claim under the Beck/Arnley warranty claims process.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Ricky Torain of Beck/Arnley at (540) 432-3516 or [email protected]. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we are taking this action in the interest of our customers’ personal safety and satisfaction with our products.

 

Sincerely,

 

Beck/Arnley

 

Enclosures (Owner Letter; Direct Stock Return Instructions )

 

Beck/Arnley ● 2375 Midway Lane ● Smyrna TN 37167-5881
Tel. (615) 220-3200 ● Fax (615) 220-3290 ● BeckArnley.com

 

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24 Affected Products

Equipment

BRAND	PART NO.	PRODUCTION DATES
TENNECO	MASTER CYLINDER

 

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Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
VOLKSWAGEN	BEETLE	2012-2019
VOLKSWAGEN	JETTA	2004-2018

 

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11 Associated Documents

Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20E064-3954.PDF 211.129KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20E064-4879.PDF 211.225KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-2

RCLQRT-20E064-3030.PDF 211.305KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20E064-6954.pdf 244.923KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 1

RCLRPT-20E064-7848.PDF 214.639KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20E064-1355.PDF 214.639KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-20E064-2232.pdf 339.515KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20E064-0513.pdf 331.445KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20E064-3854.pdf 305.637KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2021-3

RCLQRT-20E064-5656.PDF 211.406KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #5, 2021-4

RCLQRT-20E064-9289.PDF 211.514KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20E064&docType=RCL

 

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Last update on 2026-06-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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