Volkswagen Atlas Airbag Module Water Damage Risk

NHTSA campaign 18V537000 · Reported Aug 20, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

An airbag that deploys unintentionally can injure someone in the vehicle or lead to a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	18V537000
Reported to NHTSA	Aug 20, 2018
Manufacturer	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Part affected	AIR Bags: AIR Bag/restraint Control Module
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

During assembly, the tube that drains water from the air conditioning system may have been twisted. A twisted tube can let water drain into the airbag control module instead of away from it. If the module gets wet, it may cause the airbags to deploy unintentionally, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is included.
2. Contact a Volkswagen dealer, or call VW customer service at 1-800-893-5298, to schedule an inspection.
3. If needed, the drain tube and airbag control module will be replaced free of charge.

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 18V537000. 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 Air Bag Recalls: Deployment Failures and Inflator Risks · all 16 Volkswagen recalls in this area

Other Volkswagen Atlas recalls

Sep 11, 2026Volkswagen Atlas And Tiguan Steering Bolt May Breakhigh
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: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. During production, the air conditioning system drain tube may have been twisted, causing water to drain into the air bag control module.
Safety risk: The wet air bag control module may result in an unintentional deployment of the air bags, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain tube, and if it is twisted, the drain tube and air bag control module will be replaced, free of charge. Some of the affected vehicles have had their drain tube previously replaced but did not receive a new air bag control module; the airbag control module will be replaced in these vehicles. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 87F9.

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