Volkswagen is recalling a number of 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat models in the United States.
A recall notice issued with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that select vehicles may have been built with incorrectly tightened bolts that secure the front wheel bearings. This could cause the bolts to loosen over time and adversely affect the driver’s control over the vehicle and potentially cause a crash.
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An investigation from Volkswagen revealed that the assembly line of a supplier had used a back-up tool to tighten the bolts in question after the main tool failed. However, this back-up tool did not record the torque data and would not provide an alert if a bolt had been incorrectly torqued. The back-up tool was only used for two hours before the primary tool was returned to operation.
Occupants driving impacted models with loose bolts may notice an unusual noise coming from the front of the vehicle.
A total of 12 Atlas Cross Sport models built between November 25, 2020 and November 30, 2020 are involved in the recall, as are 15 examples of 2021 Atlas models produced between November 25, 2020 and December 1, 2020 and three Passats built between November 25, 2020 and November 30, 2020.
VW will notify owners and dealerships on or before December 24 and instruct owners to bring their vehicles to a nearby dealership where the front wheel bearings will be inspected and, if the torque is found to be incorrect, the affected bolts will be replaced.
