2018 Volkswagen Atlas airbags problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V215000Mar 29, 2023143,053 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

  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.

  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.

• Recall 20V057000Jan 31, 20207 vehicles
  AIR BAGS

  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.

  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.

• Recall 18V537000Aug 20, 20189,685 vehicles
  AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. During production, the air conditioning system drain tube may have been twisted, causing water to drain into the air bag control module.

  Risk: The wet air bag control module may result in an unintentional deployment of the air bags, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

  Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain tube, and if it is twisted, the drain tube and air bag control module will be replaced, free of charge. Some of the affected vehicles have had their drain tube previously replaced but did not receive a new air bag control module; the airbag control module will be replaced in these vehicles. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 87F9.

• Recall 18V375000Jun 6, 2018821 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan vehicles. In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment.

  Risk: If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.

  Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69W8, and 69W9.

What owners say

1. Filed Apr 24, 2026TXAirbags

   The passenger airbag ‘off’ light remains on even when a passenger is sitting in the passenger front seat. This remains on even after I’ve taken it in for a different component for the airbag that was recalled.

   NHTSA complaint #11733601 · source
2. Filed Dec 31, 2025CAAirbags

   I am reporting a failure by Volkswagen Group of America to provide a safe and timely remedy for Safety Recall 23V-215. Per the manufacturer's notice, the front passenger seat is unsafe for use until repaired. I physically surrendered my vehicle to Merced VW on Dec 29, 2025, due to this grounding safety risk. However, both the dealership and VW Corporate (Case #07228209) have refused to provide a comparable 7-passenger loaner or a direct-bill rental, despite this being my…

   NHTSA complaint #11708019 · source
3. Filed Aug 5, 2024VAAirbags

   Waiting at a stoplight for light to turn green. Driver’s side door airbag deployed for no reason and the car shut down completely. Except for my hazard lights and a blinking message that read “error driver door contact switch”. Had to have it tow and the tow truck driver couldn’t even put in neutral.

   NHTSA complaint #11606414 · source
4. Filed May 20, 2024PAAirbags

   The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11589680 · source
5. Filed May 17, 202494,000 miLAAirbags

   The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving, the airbag sensor would inadvertently sound when the passenger seat was not occupied. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who confirmed that the issue was an air bag seat weight sensor failure; however, the contacts VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage…

   NHTSA complaint #11589307 · source
6. Filed Apr 22, 2024CAAirbags

   Airbag error message and light went on- this is a recall in my same model and year, my vin should be included in this recall

   NHTSA complaint #11584567 · source
7. Filed Apr 17, 2024MDAirbags

   The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagens Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

   NHTSA complaint #11583455 · source
8. Filed Mar 28, 2024NVAirbags

   I have called the VW dealer several times to have the recall problem fixed and they keep telling me they don’t have the parts. This is lingering for months. How do I get it fixed if there’s no cooperation from dealer? I don’t remember the month I was notified but it was months ago.

   NHTSA complaint #11580017 · source
9. Filed Mar 20, 2024WAAirbags

   The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint #11578433 · source
10. Filed Mar 16, 2024GAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

    Unknown- manufacturer still has not found a remedy for the seatbelt air bag issue and it’s been a year since they announced it

    NHTSA complaint #11577754 · source
11. Filed Mar 14, 2024ILAirbags

    Manufacturer has no resolution for this issue. I contacted dealership and manufacturer for resolution as my vehicle is unable to be used in the manner in which is intended and was told that they have no resolution for me. It has been a year with no communication or resolution.

    NHTSA complaint #11577392 · source
12. Filed Mar 13, 2024MDAirbags

    The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

    NHTSA complaint #11577089 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology