Volkswagen Passat and Atlas headlight aim not locked

NHTSA campaign 19V389000 · Reported 2019-05-22 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

A small cap that locks the headlight's side-to-side aim may be missing on these cars. With the cap in place, the aim cannot be knocked or adjusted out of position. Without it, the headlights can end up pointed the wrong way, so less of the road ahead is lit and you may not see as far at night. This covers certain 2012-2020 Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. Dealers will inspect and block the adjustment for free.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is included.
2. Contact your Volkswagen dealer, or VW customer service at 1-800-253-2834 (recall 94L9), to schedule the inspection.
3. Have the headlight adjustment blocked — the repair is free.

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 headlight aim recalls: are my lights pointed wrong? · all 5 Volkswagen recalls in this area

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.