Volkswagen Recalls 2018 Atlas Vehicles Due to Air Bag Control Module Risk
Volkswagen is recalling 2018 Atlas vehicles because a twisted air conditioning drain tube may allow water to enter the air bag control module, potentially causing unintentional air bag deployment.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (unintentional air bag deployment) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the High severity criteria.
Plain-English summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. The recall addresses a production issue where the air conditioning system drain tube may have been twisted. This defect can cause water to drain into the air bag control module.
If the air bag control module becomes wet, it may result in the unintentional deployment of the air bags. This increases the risk of injury or a crash. The recall began on September 14, 2018.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain tube. If the tube is twisted, the drain tube and the air bag control module will be replaced free of charge. Some affected vehicles may have had the drain tube previously replaced but did not receive a new air bag control module; these vehicles will have the air bag control module replaced. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS
- Brand
- VOLKSWAGEN
- Manufacturer
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Affected units
- 9,685
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (1)
- ATLAS
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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