VW Atlas Passenger Air Bag Can Deactivate

NHTSA campaign 23V215000 · Reported Mar 29, 2023 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

high How serious is it? About this label

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	23V215000
Reported to NHTSA	Mar 29, 2023
Manufacturer	Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Part affected	AIR Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
Vehicles covered	5 model/year combinations, model years 2018–2021
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

On certain Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles, a wiring fault in the system that senses whether the front passenger seat is occupied can cause the front passenger air bag to switch off even when someone is sitting in that seat. If a crash happens while the air bag is switched off, it will not be there to help protect the passenger.

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 to schedule the repair.
3. The repair (replacing the sensor mat and wiring harness) is 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 23V215000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (5)

2018 Volkswagen Atlas
2019 Volkswagen Atlas
2020 Volkswagen Atlas
2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
2021 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

Volkswagen Air Bag Recalls: Deployment Failures and Inflator Risks · all 16 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: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Safety risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.

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