Certain child seats may damage seat belt buckles
Defect Summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswaen) is recalling certain 2018 volkswagen atlas vehicles. the owner's manuals provided with the affected vehicles do not inform the customers about the child restraint size limitation/restrictions for the second row center seating position. as a result, the center and adjacent outboard seat belt buckles on the second row can become damaged it a child seat base is installed that is wider than 12.6 inches.
Safety Consequence
A damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Action
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the center and left outboard seat belt buckles, and replace them if necessary, free of charge. volkswagen will also provide an owner's manual supplement addressing child safety and child restraints. the recall began june 29, 2018. owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. volkswagen's number for this recall is 69x1.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. or involving Seat Belts.
FAQ: Recall 18V380000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 18V380000?
NHTSA recall 18V380000 was issued by Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. on June 7, 2018. It addresses: Certain child seats may damage seat belt buckles. The recall affects approximately 54,729 vehicles, with the defect involving the Seat Belts component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 18V380000 or the manufacturer campaign number 69X1. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.