Volkswagen Atlas and Passat brake caliper bolts may be loose

NHTSA campaign 18V536000 · Reported 2018-08-15 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

Weakened brakes or a loss of control is a serious safety problem, so have this checked promptly, though the notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

On certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles, the bolts that hold the brake caliper bracket to the wheel may not have been tightened enough at the factory. The caliper is the part that squeezes the brake pads against the wheel to slow you down. If those bolts are loose, the caliper can shift around instead of staying put, which can weaken your braking or make the car hard to control.

What you should do

1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your car is part of campaign 18V536000 (Volkswagen calls it 46H6).
2. Call your Volkswagen dealer, or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, to book the inspection.
3. The dealer will check and correctly tighten or replace the bolts and related brake hardware, and on Passats also check the parking brake cable, free of charge.

Affected vehicles (2)

2018 Volkswagen Atlas
2018 Volkswagen Passat

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 brake recalls: which ones mean stop driving now? · all 7 Volkswagen recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
Safety risk: The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.

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