Recall 21V142 covers 2,535 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas SUVs for overcured tire sidewalls. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 2,535 2018-2019 Atlas SUVs with Continental tires because one or more tires were cured too long during production. An over cured tire can develop a sidewall break, sudden air loss, or belt separation that leads to tread loss and loss of vehicle control; Volkswagen dealers will replace the affected tires free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Continental tires on 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles carry the vehicle's weight, keep the tread in contact with the road, and hold pressurized air inside the casing. The sidewall is the outer side of the tire, and it flexes every time the tire rolls, turns, and absorbs a bump.
On affected Atlas vehicles, Continental found that tires from specific production lots spent too much time in the curing process. Curing is the heat and pressure step that hardens the tire into its final shape. When that step runs too long, the tire material can be weakened even though the tire looks normal from the outside.
The recalled tires are Continental CrossContact LX Sport tires in sizes 255/50 R 20 105 T or 245/60 R18 105 T. You should not expect a warning sign before failure. The reported warning is sudden loss of tire air pressure, which means the tire can go from normal operation to underinflated or flat without advance notice.
Who's affected?
The scope points to Atlas SUVs equipped with CrossContact LX Sport tires, so tire fitment matters after the year and model match.
| 2019 Volkswagen Atlas | tire |
|---|---|
| 2018 Volkswagen Atlas | tire |
| Units affected | 2,535 |
A matching 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Over cured tires can develop a sidewall break, sudden air loss, belt edge separation, or tread and belt loss. Any of those failures can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. There is no warning sign before sudden air loss, so schedule the tire inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free tire inspection and replacement for over-cured Continental tires.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 21V142 (Volkswagen recall 44R1) when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the tire inspection and any replacement are complete. Leave extra following distance and stop driving if a tire loses air or shows tread or sidewall damage.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician inspects the tires on the recalled Atlas and replaces any tire that needs replacement. The inspection, replacement tires, and labor are free under the recall. Volkswagen is not offering a separate reimbursement plan for this campaign because the affected vehicles are within the new vehicle limited warranty period. If you have prior tire repair paperwork, ask the service desk how the new vehicle limited warranty applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 5, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 24, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 4, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| May 4, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 4, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V142?
Recall 21V142 covers 2,535 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental tires that were cured too long during production. The tires can develop a sidewall break, sudden air loss, belt edge separation, or tread/belt loss. Volkswagen dealers will inspect and replace affected tires for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Atlas is included in recall 21V142. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the tire inspection. Reference Volkswagen recall number 44R1 when you call. The dealer will replace affected tires for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Volkswagen dealers will inspect the Continental tires and replace affected tires free of charge under recall 21V142.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. An overcured tire can develop a sidewall break, sudden air loss, belt edge separation, or tread/belt loss, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free tire inspection with a Volkswagen dealer.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Atlas used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Atlas is included, then call a Volkswagen dealer and reference recall 21V142 or Volkswagen recall number 44R1.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V142000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V142 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V142000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →