A/c drain tube causing air bag malfunction
Defect Summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 volkswagen atlas vehicles. during production, the air conditioning system drain tube may have been twisted, causing water to drain into the air bag control module.
Safety Consequence
The wet air bag control module may result in an unintentional deployment of the air bags, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Corrective Action
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain tube, and if it is twisted, the drain tube and air bag control module will be replaced, free of charge. some of the affected vehicles have had their drain tube previously replaced but did not receive a new air bag control module; the airbag control module will be replaced in these vehicles. the recall began september 14, 2018. owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. volkswagen's number for this recall is 87f9.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. or involving Air Bags.
FAQ: Recall 18V537000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 18V537000?
NHTSA recall 18V537000 was issued by Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. on August 20, 2018. It addresses: A/c drain tube causing air bag malfunction. The recall affects approximately 9,685 vehicles, with the defect involving the Air Bags component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 18V537000 or the manufacturer campaign number 87F9. 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.