The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·20V504000·Announced 2020-08-26

Volkswagen headlights recalled for misalignment defect in 2020-2021 Atlas models

Volkswagen is recalling 2020 and 2021 Atlas vehicles due to driver's side headlights that may have been aimed too low during production. This misalignment fails to meet federal safety standards and reduces driver visibility.

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 structural vehicle defect (headlight misalignment) that affects Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard compliance and increases crash risk through reduced visibility. No injuries or crashes have been reported in the source material, which limits the severity below Severe.

Plain-English summary

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling certain 2020 Atlas Cross Sport and 2021 Atlas vehicles. The affected vehicles have driver's side headlights that may have been aimed too low during production, creating a compliance issue with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which sets requirements for vehicle lamps and reflective devices.

An incorrectly aimed headlight reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of a crash. However, the source material does not report any injuries or crashes attributed to this defect.

Owners will be notified by Volkswagen. Dealers will adjust the driver's side headlight free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 for additional information.

The recalled product

Product
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS CROSS SPORT, ATLAS
Brand
VOLKSWAGEN
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Exterior Lighting
Hazard
Affected units
11

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 (2)

  • ATLAS CROSS SPORT
  • ATLAS

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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