2018 Volkswagen Atlas Recall

On certain vehicles, one of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe could corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing could break and cause a loss of steering control.

A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash.

The company will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the right steering rack mounting bolt.

On certain vehicles, the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction. This could cause the airbag system to turn off the passenger-front airbag even when a passenger is seated. Note: This problem would cause an error message to display on the instrument panel and a warning chime to sound. The airbag indicator light would also display "passenger airbag off".

An airbag that is turned off could increase the risk of injury to a passenger in a crash.

Volkswagen will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the PODS sensor mat and seat harness. Volkswagen advises that you shouldn't use the front passenger seat until the recall repairs are completed.

Certain vehicles were built with tires that may have been cured too long. As a result, the sidewall could crack or the tread and belts could separate. This could lead to a sudden loss of air pressure and could cause a tire failure. Note: This recall only affects certain Continental tires, with specific date codes and mold numbers.

A tire failure could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.

Volkswagen will notify the owners by mail and instruct them to take the vehicle to a dealer to inspect and replace the tires, if necessary.

On certain vehicles, the warning label for the engine block heater cable is written in English only. As a result, a French user may not receive important safety information about how to use the engine block heater. A label that is not provided in both official languages could create confusion.

User confusion could increase the risk of injury when trying to use the block heater.

The company will mail each owner a new label for the block heater cable. If you would like help installing the label, you can contact a dealer for assistance.

Certain vehicles were built with headlights that may allow horizontal adjustment. This is not allowed under Canadian regulations.

Headlights that are not properly adjusted could cause reduced visibility or glare for oncoming drivers, and could increase the risk of a crash.

The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the headlights. A blocking cap will be installed on the horizontal adjusters as necessary.

On certain vehicles, the rear suspension coil springs may not have been properly manufactured and could break over time. This could result in damage to a rear tire, resulting in rapid air loss and/or tire failure, which could affect vehicle control. Additionally, a broken coil spring could create a road hazard for other motorists. Both of these conditions may increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage.  Correction: Dealers will replace both of the rear axle coil springs. If a broken coil spring is found, the rear tires should be inspected for damage and replaced as required.

A failure of this component (suspension) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain vehicles do not to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 114 - Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention. Due to incorrect programming, the vehicle may fail to provide an audible warning when a driver opens their door after turning off the ignition, and the key is left in the ignition switch. This could increase the risk of vehicle theft. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster.

A failure of this component (lights and instruments) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, a drain tube for the air conditioner may be twisted and could drain water inside the passenger compartment onto the airbag control module. This could cause the airbag control module to malfunction, potentially causing a sudden airbag deployment without a crash, increasing the risk of injury to occupants and potentially leading to a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the HVAC drain tube and, if found twisted, the hose and airbag control module will be replaced.

A failure of this component (airbag) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the brake caliper bracket bolts may not be properly tightened and could loosen, allowing the caliper to move. This could cause increased stopping distances, result in wheel damage and/or cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and, if a loose bolt is found, the bolt will be replaced and tightened to the correct specification. Note: On Atlas models, only the front brake caliper bracket bolts are affected, and on Passat models, only the rear brake caliper bracket bolts are affected.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, if a child restraint with a larger than recommended base is installed in the centre position of the second row bench seat, it may damage both the centre and adjacent outboard seat belt buckles. In the event of a crash, a damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the centre and left (outboard) second row seat belt buckles, and replace as necessary. Additionally Volkswagen will provide an owner's manual supplement addressing child safety and child restraints.

A failure of this component (seats and restraints) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag may not unfold properly or could tear during deployment, which would increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag.

A failure of this component (airbag) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, a problem with the brake system may cause gas bubbles to form in the brake fluid. This could cause a soft brake pedal feel and a reduction in brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will bleed the front or rear brakes as necessary. Note: In the interim, owners are advised to stop driving their vehicle until the defect has been repaired. Affected owners should call Volkswagen's Roadside Assistance number at 1-800-411-6688.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the thickness of fuel tank walls may not be adequate due to an issue in the manufacturing process. This could result in fuel leaking from the tank, which in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel tank. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2017-586.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the thickness of fuel tank walls may not be adequate due to an issue during the manufacturing process. This could result in fuel leaking from the tank, which in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel tank.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).