The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·21V616000·Announced 2021-08-06

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Relays Pose Fire Risk, Recall Issued

Volkswagen is recalling 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles with damaged relays that may activate the horn or starter indefinitely, creating a fire hazard. Dealers will replace affected relays free of charge.

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: This is a risk-of-harm electrical defect where no fires, injuries, or deaths have been reported. The damaged relays pose a genuine fire hazard through component malfunction, meeting the criterion for 'risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported,' capping the score at a maximum of 3.

Plain-English summary

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles due to damaged relays installed in the engine compartment fuse box. These defective relays may inadvertently activate the horn or engine starter.

When the horn or starter remains activated for extended periods, it can overheat, creating a risk of fire in the engine compartment. Approximately 33 vehicles are affected.

Owners should contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or visit a dealer for free inspection and replacement of the relays. Owner notification was mailed August 27, 2021. For additional information, contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

The recalled product

Product
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS, ATLAS CROSS SPORT
Brand
VOLKSWAGEN
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Electrical System / Relay Defect
Hazard
Affected units
33

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
  • ATLAS CROSS SPORT

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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