2022 Volkswagen Atlas trailer hitch bolts may loosen and separate
Volkswagen is recalling certain 2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles because trailer hitch bolts may be insufficiently tightened. Loose bolts could fall out and cause the trailer hitch to separate, increasing crash risk.
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 recall involves a structural vehicle defect (insufficient trailer hitch bolt tightening) that could lead to trailer separation and crash. No injuries or property damage have been reported, so per the rubric, this qualifies as High (3): a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported.
Plain-English summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2022 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The trailer hitch bolts may have been insufficiently tightened during manufacturing.
Loose trailer hitch bolts may fall out over time. As bolts become loose, the remaining bolts can break under stress. This could lead to separation of the trailer hitch and trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
Approximately 3,184 vehicles are affected. Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts free of charge. Owner notification letters were expected to be mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).
The recalled product
- Product
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS CROSS SPORT, ATLAS
- Brand
- VOLKSWAGEN
- Manufacturer
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Trailer Hitch
- Affected units
- 3,184
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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