2018-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Front Passenger Air Bag Sensor Fault
Volkswagen is recalling certain 2018–2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles because a wiring fault in the passenger occupant detection system may deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: This is a structural vehicle safety defect involving deactivation of a protective system (front passenger air bag), which creates significant risk of injury during a crash. The rubric identifies structural vehicle defects as Severe (score 4).
Plain-English summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2018–2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring that causes the front passenger air bag to deactivate even when the seat is occupied.
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024.
Affected owners should contact Volkswagen's 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). Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness at no charge. Volkswagen's recall number is 69FB.
The recalled product
- Product
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS, ATLAS CROSS SPORT
- Brand
- VOLKSWAGEN
- Manufacturer
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Air Bag System
- Affected units
- 143,053
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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