Volkswagen Atlas airbags may go off on their own

NHTSA campaign 18V537000 · Reported 2018-08-20 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

critical How serious is it? About this label

Airbags going off with no warning can injure you and cause a crash, so have this checked as soon as possible.

What's wrong, in plain English

On some 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SUVs, the drain tube for the air conditioner may have been twisted during assembly. Instead of draining outside the vehicle, water can run into the control box that operates the airbags. A wet control box can set the airbags off when there has been no crash. Dealers will check the drain tube and replace the tube and the airbag control box as needed, free of charge.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your Atlas is affected.
2. Contact your Volkswagen dealer or VW customer service at 1-800-893-5298 about recall 87F9.
3. Have the drain tube and airbag control box inspected and replaced as needed — at no cost.

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

What is behind the Volkswagen airbag recalls on Atlas and Jetta? · all 16 Volkswagen recalls in this area

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.