Volkswagen is recalling more than 271,000 Atlas SUVs due to a problem that might cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy correctly.
According to a recall notice to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the vehicles in question include a passenger occupant detection system, also known as body sense, in the front passenger seat. If its contact wire fails, the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may deactivate the airbag even if the seat is occupied.
Impacted Cars
Volkswagen has informed the NHTSA that a recall may impact 271,330 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sports cars from 2020 to 2024.
The recall affects all Atlas SUVs manufactured between October 1, 2020, and June 17, 2024. Atlas Cross Sport cars that were impacted were manufactured around the same period.
Until the repair is available for the affected cars, individuals are advised not to sit in the front passenger seat because the problem increases the risk of injury in an accident.
Suppose a wire contact issue occurs in a recalled car and the system deactivates the front passenger airbag. In that case, Volkswagen said that an error message would be shown on the instrument panel along with an acoustic warning sound and a warning light.
What's Next?
Volkswagen confirmed to Fox Business that dealers could replace the PODS sensor pad and wire harness with upgraded components at no cost once available.
Customers that are impacted will get notification letters in the middle of August.
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