Volkswagen Atlas Second-Row Seat Belt Buckles May Fail

NHTSA campaign 18V380000 · Reported Jun 7, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

A damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, which raises the risk of injury in a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	18V380000
Reported to NHTSA	Jun 7, 2018
Manufacturer	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Part affected	Seat Belts: Rear/other:buckle Assembly
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2018
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Volkswagen is recalling certain 2018 Atlas vehicles because the owner's manuals that came with them did not tell owners about size limits for child seats installed in the second-row center seating position. If a child seat base wider than 12.6 inches is installed there, it can damage the center seat belt buckle and the seat belt buckles on the seats next to it.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your Atlas is included.
2. Contact your Volkswagen dealer, or call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
3. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the buckles for free, and Volkswagen will send an owner's manual supplement about child seats.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 18V380000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2018 Volkswagen Atlas

Who to contact

Volkswagen — official Volkswagen recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-893-5298

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Volkswagen Seat Belt Recalls Affect Buckles, Anchors and Child Restraints · all 5 Volkswagen recalls in this area

Other Volkswagen Atlas recalls

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Jul 22, 2026VW Atlas rearview camera image may not displaymedium
Dec 4, 2025Volkswagen Atlas May Have Incorrect Wheel Bolts Installedcritical
Jun 30, 2025VW Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, ID.4 Loose Boltshigh
May 21, 2025Volkswagen Atlas Rearview Camera Image Distortionmedium
Feb 17, 2025Volkswagen Atlas Engine Cover May Cause Firecritical

All 48 Atlas recalls

Official notice

Component: SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswaen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. The owner's manuals provided with the affected vehicles do not inform the customers about the child restraint size limitation/restrictions for the second row center seating position. As a result, the center and adjacent outboard seat belt buckles on the second row can become damaged it a child seat base is installed that is wider than 12.6 inches.
Safety risk: A damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the center and left outboard seat belt buckles, and replace them if necessary, free of charge. Volkswagen will also provide an owner's manual supplement addressing child safety and child restraints. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X1.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.