Volkswagen Atlas airbag sensor may be built wrong

NHTSA campaign 20V057000 · Reported 2020-01-31 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

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In the event of a crash necessitating frontal air bag deployment, a delayed or disabled airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

Certain 2018 Atlas SUVs have a faulty airbag crash sensor. This is the part that tells the airbags when a crash is happening. Because it was made incorrectly, the front airbags could inflate late — or not inflate at all — in a crash that should set them off. That means less protection for the people in the front seats. Volkswagen dealers will replace the crash sensor with a correctly made one.

What you should do

1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your Atlas is covered. 2. Call a Volkswagen dealer, or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 (recall 69AL), for an appointment. 3. Have the airbag crash sensor replaced free of charge.

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
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Atlas vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrectly manufactured air bag sensor, which can delay or disable air bag deployment when necessary.
Safety risk: In the event of a crash necessitating frontal air bag deployment, a delayed or disabled airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag crash sensor, free of charge. The recall began February 21, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69AL.

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