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.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas airbags problems
100 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 45,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 100
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical mileage
- 45,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
- Air bag/restraint control module1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Volkswagen Atlas airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
- What is wrong
- 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 number 23V215000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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 number 20V057000 · Recall details
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
- What is wrong
- 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 number 18V537000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 18V375000 · Recall details
What 2018 Volkswagen Atlas owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 family's primary transportation for three children. VW Corporate has denied reimbursement, citing a '3-hour' labor time, while ignoring the actual grounding period caused by parts backorders. I am currently forced to pay out-of-pocket for a rental to ensure my family's safety because the manufacturer has failed to provide the mandated no-charge remedy or safe alternative transportation.
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.
Air bag system in passenger seat quit working. Has been inspected by dealer.
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
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 federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
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
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagens Atlas. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
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.
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
Questions about the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas airbags
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 100 complaints about the airbags of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, 21% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2018 Volkswagen Atlas airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 45,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas airbags?
Yes, 4 recalls: 23V215000, 20V057000, 18V537000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Atlas have bad airbags?
The Volkswagen Atlas model years with the most airbags complaints are 2019 (142 complaints), 2018 (100 complaints) and 2021 (66 complaints).
Other 2018 Volkswagen Atlas problems
Electrical 111Engine 103Brakes 75Driver assistance 45Fuel system 36Steering 27Seats 17Transmission 16Lights 14Seat belts 13Acceleration 11Suspension 10Body 8Visibility 4Tires 2Wheels 2Locks 1
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