Air bags: air bag/restraint control module (Volkswagen)
Vehicle recall 18V-537. NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on Aug 20, 2018.
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The short answer
NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on Aug 20, 2018. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The wet air bag control module may result in an unintentional deployment of the air bags, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Air bags: air bag/restraint control module.
What should you do?
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 9,685 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- Volkswagen Atlas2018
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 19, 2026 and checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 19, 2026.