Volkswagen is recalling more than 246,000 SUVs in the US and Canada because faulty wiring harnesses can make them brake unexpectedly. 47 people had complained to US safety regulators about the problem which is a dangerous one because it can occur being in traffic. Many of those who complained to NHTSA said the unwanted braking happened while they were driving on city streets, putting them in danger. The wiring issue could also cause other problems in the cars, including the vehicle’s windows rolling down on their own. The recall covers certain Atlas SUVs from the 2019 through 2023 model years, as well as the 2020 through 2023 Atlas Cross Sport. However not all 2019-2023 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models are affected by the potential problem. Another problem can cause the side air bags to deploy late in a crash. This suboptimal airbag timing could lead to an increased likelihood of injury to vehicle passengers.
The company started getting complaints in 2020 but waited until January 2022 to escalate this problem to the Product Safety Committee. Linked to recall decision, a repair is being developed. Currently, the company does not have a fix for the issue, according to the report, however Volkswagen will offer a reimbursement program for recalled vehicles.Volkswagen will notify owners and dealers by mail on May 10, 2022, if their vehicles are included in the recall and send a second letter when there’s a fix for the issue.
