Volkswagen is recalling 143,053 Atlas vehicles manufactured between August 19th, 2016 and August 30th, 2019, due to a safety issue that could deactivate the front passenger airbag. The issue affects certain Atlas vehicles produced between the 2018 and 2021 model years, and Volkswagen Group of America is urging affected owners not to use the front passenger seat until the remedy has been completed.
The issue in question is a fault in the wiring for the passenger occupant detection system (PODS), which may cause the front passenger airbag to deactivate, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The remedy for the issue is currently under development, and Volkswagen has said it will provide interim notifications to owners by May 26th.
In August 2019, Volkswagen noticed a rise in complaints regarding deactivated front passenger airbags and began investigating the issue. The company kept a watchful eye on the matter until May 2020, when it was brought to the attention of the Pre-Product Safety Committee. Further scrutiny continued until January 2021, when the Product Safety Committee was informed of the issue and requested additional data for analysis.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration called for a meeting with Volkswagen in February 2023 to discuss the performance of the passenger occupant detection system in the field. This eventually led to the issue being upgraded to a recall, despite Volkswagen’s previous reluctance to address the problem. The federal agency demanded action from the car manufacturer.
It is concerning that Volkswagen was hesitant to address the issue, especially considering that the company had introduced a new cable with a spiral shield in production for the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models in October 2020. Despite being aware of the issue at that time, Volkswagen did not recall affected vehicles when the redesigned Passenger Occupant Detection System became available.
The Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) is linked to the seat heating and connected to the control unit under the front passenger seat by a wire. In the event of a contact fault with this wire, the system could disable the front passenger airbag, while illuminating a warning message and light on the vehicle’s instrument panel.
The remedy for the issue may be as simple as replacing the cable, or it could be more expensive if Volkswagen decides to replace the entire PODS. Volkswagen is currently evaluating the best course of action to take.
For the 2024 model year, the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport will exclusively offer the 2.0-liter turbo I4 engine. This four-cylinder engine has been enhanced to produce 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet (370 Nm) of torque on premium fuel, whereas the pre-facelift Atlas’ VR6 engine, which is no longer available, generated 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet (361 Nm) of torque on regular unleaded fuel.
This recall is another blow to Volkswagen’s reputation for quality and safety. The company has faced numerous scandals and controversies over the years, including the infamous “dieselgate” scandal, where Volkswagen was found to have cheated on emissions tests. The company has also faced criticism over its safety record, with some consumers accusing the automaker of prioritizing profits over safety.
Volkswagen has promised to take action to address the issue and ensure the safety of its customers. However, the recall is a reminder that consumers should always be vigilant when it comes to vehicle safety and check for any recalls or issues with their vehicles. If you own an affected Atlas vehicle, it is important to follow Volkswagen’s instructions and not use the front passenger seat until the remedy has been completed.