VW Atlas, Golf R, Passat May Not Meet Safety Rules

NHTSA campaign 20V561000 · Reported Sep 16, 2020 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

medium How serious is it? About this label

Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	20V561000
Reported to NHTSA	Sep 16, 2020
Manufacturer	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Part affected	Unknown OR Other
Vehicles covered	3 model/year combinations, model years 2018
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

These are Volkswagen vehicles that were originally used internally by the company. Before being sold, there was no confirmation that they had been built to meet all of the required federal vehicle safety rules, and some of them may have been modified before they were sold. Because of this, these vehicles may not actually meet every safety requirement they are supposed to meet.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is included.
2. Contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 for details.
3. Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicle at no cost to the owner.

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 20V561000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (3)

2018 Volkswagen Atlas
2018 Volkswagen Golf R
2018 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 recalls for vehicles with unconfirmed federal safety compliance · all 3 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: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Safety risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.

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