2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS Recalls — Canada & USA

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas has 16 recalls, the most serious involving airbags that can deploy without a crash, fuel tanks that can leak and catch fire, and brake caliper bolts that can loosen and extend stopping distances. The fuel tank issue and airbag control module water damage each appear across multiple filings, but each describes the same underlying defect. On the fuel side, tank walls on certain vehicles are thin enough to leak fuel, which can ignite near a heat source. On the airbag side, a misrouted air conditioning drain tube can drip water onto the airbag control module, triggering an unintended deployment. A separate airbag concern involves a faulty sensor that can delay or prevent frontal airbag deployment in a crash, and the passenger seat's occupant detection system can incorrectly shut off the front passenger airbag even when someone is seated, displaying a warning on the instrument panel. Tire safety is also a concern for vehicles fitted with certain Continental tires, where over-curing during production can crack the sidewall or separate the tread and belts, causing sudden air loss. The rear coil springs can fracture while driving and puncture a rear tire, reducing control. Installing a child restraint with an oversized base in the center second-row seat can crack the adjacent seatbelt buckles, which may then release in a crash. The passenger occupant detection system wiring fault is also present on this model. Vehicles with accessory side steps may be missing a weight rating label that reflects the steps' added load.