VW Recalls 143,000 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport SUVs for Potential Airbag Fault

Volkswagen’s largest recall of 2023 thus far will be of great concern to owners of the automaker’s popular family-hauling nameplate, the Atlas. More than 143,000 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs are being recalled over a wiring fault that may prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying. Until the issue has been resolved, owners of affected vehicles are advised not to use the front passenger seat.

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Affected vehicles include model-year 2018-21 Atlas three-row and model-year 2020 Atlas Cross Sport two-row SUVs. The passenger occupant detection system may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger airbag when the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

While the remedy is in development, VW will send interim letters notifying owners of the risk May 26; a second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. In the meantime, owners can call the automaker at 800-893-5298 (VW’s number for this recall is 69FB) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.

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