Problems · by component

2019 Volkswagen Atlas air bags problems

142 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas cite air bags, 29% of all 487 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 4 recalls on this component.

Complaints
142
29% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“This recall was repaired by KEN GARFF [XXX] location - I need this taken off your site before car can be put back into service Thank you, [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2026Air bagsODI 11775033
“My air bag light came on and said I have code b121400. It indicates that the passenger occupant seat sensor is not communicating/working. I see this issue was identified as a recall for similar vehicles but did not include my car. NHTSA ID: 22v815000”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Air bagsODI 11760976
“The airbag error light in the vehicle came on. I took it to the dealership where the vehicle was purchased. They are charging $300.+ per hour to repair the issue. The vehicle has never been in an accident. The airbag has never been deployed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2026Air bagsODI 11754957
“I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the airbag system of my Volkswagen Atlas vehicle. At approximately 65,000 miles, my vehicle displayed the warning message: “Error: Airbag, Faulty airbag.” Because an airbag malfunction creates a serious safety concern, I contacted my local Volkswagen dealer on September 23, 2025 to ask whether there was an active recall related to this issue. I was informed that there was no pending recall for my vehicle. I later contacted Volkswagen Customer Care because I was concerned about using this vehicle as a family vehicle for my two elementary school children. The Volkswagen representative informed me that there was an airbag recall affecting certain vehicles of same year/model and that an extended warranty/coverage was associated with that recall. However, when I contacted the Volkswagen dealership again, I was told that my vehicle was not covered because there was no recall and my vehicle was outside the warranty period. I am concerned that a known airbag-related safety issue may exist in vehicles of the same model, but my vehicle is excluded from the recall or extended coverage even though it is experiencing the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2026Air bagsODI 11747210
“The air conditioning drain tube clogged and leaked into the air bag control module and caused an entire electrical failure in my car with air bag sensors, braking, windows rolling down, doors locking and unlocking automatically while driving, etc as well as the carpet getting mold.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11743656
“The contact owned a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, when veering towards the left or right with the vehicle, the vehicle would turn in the opposite direction the steering wheel was being directed. The contact would have to turn the steering wheel in the desired direction to straighten the vehicle and turn it towards the intended direction. The lane assist would cause the vehicle to misread the direction of the road and turn the vehicle in the opposite direction. The failure had become progressively worse and more persistent. The contact stated that while driving past a driveway, the Lane Assist determined there was a curb near the vehicle, aggressively turning the vehicle towards the curb, causing the vehicle to crash into the mailbox near the driveway. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The mailbox was damaged. The contact stated that they received bruises to their hands from attempting to correct the direction of the vehicle, and no medical attention was needed. The police were contacted, and a police report was made; however, the contact was waiting for the police report…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2026Air bags, Lane departureCrash reportedODI 11727979

Showing 6 of 142 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 14, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

4 recalls on this component

Air bags: side

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side impact air bag may be missing a weld at the side air bag housing.

Air bagsReported Oct 4, 2023NHTSA 23V671000

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.

Air bagsReported Mar 30, 2023NHTSA 23V215000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.

Air bagsReported Mar 28, 2022NHTSA 22V152000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.

Air bagsReported Mar 20, 2019NHTSA 19V218000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 14, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.