Recall 18V375 covers 821 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas vehicles with passenger air bag deployment defects. Free repair at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 821 2018 Tiguan and Atlas vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag can tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment in a crash. That defect can increase injury risk, and Volkswagen dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag in the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas is built into the passenger side of the dash. In a crash, it is supposed to inflate in a controlled shape between the passenger and the front of the cabin. That shape matters because the bag has to open cleanly before it cushions the person in the seat.
On these vehicles, the issue traces to how the air bag was folded at the supplier. The air bag was placed incorrectly in the folding machine, so the folded bag did not match the required deployment shape. During a crash deployment, that bad fold can make the air bag tear or keep it from unfolding properly.
The recalled air bags came from a specific supplier production shift. Replacement air bags were correctly folded and came from outside that production range. There is no warning sign before failure, because the problem shows up only when the passenger frontal air bag deploys in a crash.
Who's affected?
Covers Tiguan and Atlas SUVs from the 2018 model year, with the same front air bag component listed for each.
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2018 Volkswagen Atlas | front air bag |
| Units affected | 821 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A passenger frontal air bag that tears or unfolds incorrectly during deployment gives less protection and increases the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before deployment, so confirm your VIN and schedule the repair if included. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan or Atlas is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag replacement that fixes an air bag that can tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V375 when you call.
- Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 with questions and mention Volkswagen recall 69W8 or 69W9 if it appears on your owner letter.
- Drive with extra care until the repair is complete, especially when carrying a front passenger.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag covered by recall 18V375. The repair is available now, and the replacement parts and labor are free. This work addresses the passenger air bag that can tear or fail to unfold properly during deployment in a crash. Volkswagen is not offering reimbursement for this campaign, so prior out-of-pocket air bag repairs are not handled through a recall reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| June 6, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 19, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 2, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| August 2, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 3, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V375?
Recall 18V375 covers 821 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas vehicles with a passenger frontal air bag that can tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment in a crash. That defect can increase injury risk. Volkswagen dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan or Atlas is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V375. If it is, call a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask for the passenger frontal air bag replacement. Reference recall number 18V375 or Volkswagen recall numbers 69W8 and 69W9 when you schedule service.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volkswagen's remedy states that dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag free of charge. The free repair applies at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is increased injury in a crash. The passenger frontal air bag is supposed to deploy and unfold correctly to help protect the passenger. In this recall, the air bag can tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, reducing that protection.
When did Volkswagen begin this recall repair?
Volkswagen began this recall on July 19, 2018. Because the remedy is available, affected owners can schedule the passenger frontal air bag replacement with a franchised Volkswagen dealer now. Volkswagen customer service is available at 1-800-893-5298.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V375000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V375 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V375000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →