VW Atlas, Passat May Have Wrong Side Airbag

NHTSA campaign 19V218000 · Reported Mar 20, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

In a side-impact crash, an incorrectly installed airbag may not deploy properly, which increases the risk of injury. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	19V218000
Reported to NHTSA	Mar 20, 2019
Manufacturer	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Part affected	AIR Bags:side/window
Vehicles covered	2 model/year combinations, model years 2019–2020
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Volkswagen says certain Atlas and Passat vehicles may have had the wrong driver or front passenger side airbag installed. Because the wrong airbag was used, it may not deploy the way it is designed to if the vehicle is in a side-impact crash. This means the airbag might not work correctly to help protect the driver or passenger during that kind of crash.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle was included in this recall.
2. Contact a Volkswagen dealer to confirm the repair was completed, or call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
3. The repair is 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 19V218000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (2)

2019 Volkswagen Atlas
2020 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 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:SIDE/WINDOW
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.
Safety risk: In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y8.

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