Volkswagen announced on Wednesday that it was recalling 271,000 SUVs in the United States because the front passenger airbag may not inflate in a crash.
According to documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall covers certain Atlas SUVs from the 2021 through 2024 model years and some 2020 through 2024 Atlas Cross Sport SUVs.
Volkswagen says the issue stems from the wiring under the front passenger seat, which can develop a fault over time. If that happens, it results in the sensor that determines if a passenger is on board to deactivate, disabling the airbag.
If a fault does occur, drivers will get a warning sound and an error message on the instrument panel of their vehicle.
The car manufacturer shared that owners should avoid using the front passenger seat if possible until the recall repairs have been made and the sensor is operational again.
Dealers will replace the sensor mat and wiring harness for free. Owners are expected to receive letters notifying them of the recall starting Aug. 16.
So far, 1,730 warranty claims have been made that could be related to the problem, according to Volkswagen.
Any questions about the recall can be made by calling Volkswagen at (866) 893-5298. The number for the recall is “69PZ.”