2021 Volkswagen Atlas Backup Camera Recall (20V716)

Recall 20V716 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas in recall 20V716?

The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 Atlas with recall 20V716?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the camera.

Which vehicles are included in recall 20V716?

Recall 20V716 covers 32,048 vehicles: 2021 Volkswagen Arteon; 2021 Volkswagen Atlas; 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport; 2021 Volkswagen Golf; 2021 Volkswagen Jetta; 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan.

NHTSA lists 32,048 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Atlas backup camera recall?

Yes. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

Manufacturer recall number: 91BB / 91BC.

When was recall 20V716 announced?

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 20V716 to NHTSA on November 18, 2020.

This recall was filed 71 months ago. If your Atlas was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Atlas is part of recall 20V716?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 20V716 is open on your Atlas, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Atlas vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should Atlas owners do about recall 20V716?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 20V716000 applies to your Atlas.
2. Call a Volkswagen dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Keep a simple log of any camera symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Atlas owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 869 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the rearview camera.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the rearview camera have been filed since recall 20V716 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 869 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the rearview camera. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Volkswagen Atlas: 473 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport: 165 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan: 141 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Volkswagen Jetta: 69 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Volkswagen Arteon: 14 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera
• 2021 Volkswagen Golf: 7 complaints in total, 0 about the rearview camera

Can recall 20V716 make my Atlas a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Owners often ask whether this camera recall means their Atlas qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

A rearview camera that blanks out or freezes is a safety issue because federal rules require a working backup image. Camera problems are often software related, and many owners see them come back after an update.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Atlas went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 20V716