Volkswagen Passat and Atlas headlight aim may be adjustable

NHTSA campaign 19V389000 · Reported May 22, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

medium How serious is it? About this label

If the headlight aim is moved out of its proper setting, it can cut down how well the driver can see, which raises the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	19V389000
Reported to NHTSA	May 22, 2019
Manufacturer	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Part affected	Exterior Lighting:headlights
Vehicles covered	5 model/year combinations, model years 2018–2020
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Volkswagen is recalling certain Passat and Atlas vehicles. A small blocking cap that is meant to keep the headlight's side-to-side aim from being moved may not have been fitted. Without that cap, the headlight aim can be moved outside the setting it is supposed to have. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet the federal safety rule covering lamps and reflectors. Dealers will inspect the headlights and block the side-to-side adjustment where needed.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is included. 2. Contact a Volkswagen dealer to have the headlights inspected, or call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. 3. The inspection and repair are free.

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 19V389000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (5)

2018 Volkswagen Atlas
2018 Volkswagen Passat
2019 Volkswagen Atlas
2019 Volkswagen Passat
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 Exterior Lighting Recalls Address Dim Lights and Headlight Aim · all 5 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: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Safety risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.

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