Volkswagen Atlas, Passat may have wrong side airbags

NHTSA campaign 19V218000 · Reported 2019-03-20 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

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In a side-impact crash the airbag might not protect you as designed, which raises injury risk; the notice does not tell owners to stop driving, and the repairs were reported completed in April 2019.

What's wrong, in plain English

The wrong side airbag may have been installed on the driver's side, the front passenger's side, or both. These are the airbags that are supposed to cushion you if another vehicle hits the side of yours. An airbag built for a different application may not inflate the way it should in that kind of crash, so you would get less protection. Volkswagen says it already inspected these vehicles and replaced the incorrect airbags, finishing the work in April 2019.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair on your vehicle is recorded as done.
2. If it still shows as open, call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 (recall 69Y8) or your dealer.
3. Have the side airbags inspected and replaced — there is no charge.

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

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

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.