Volkswagen issued an “urgent” recall of certain Atlas SUVs because the front passenger airbag may not deploy in a crash. It urged owners to not drive the vehicles.
The more than 271,000 units the German automaker recalled are 2021 to 2024 Atlases and 2020 to 2024 Atlas Cross Sports, whose passenger airbags may deactivate when someone sits in the front passenger seat.
VW said the vehicles’ passenger occupant-detection system, or PODS, may have faulty wiring, causing deactivation when that seat is occupied.
Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring. VW is scheduled to mail recall notices to owners on Aug. 16.
