VW recalls 84K Golf, Atlas models for faulty back-up camera

Volkswagen Group is recalling certain Golf and Atlas SUV models, affecting up to 84,432 vehicles, due to rear view camera imaging problems, according to a notice.

The recalled models may fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111 for rear visibility. The vehicles’ rear view camera image may be delayed, or the screen can turn black after shifting in reverse, according to the June 27 filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall covers 2022-2024 Golf R and GTI models and 2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs. A majority of the recalled vehicles are Atlas SUV models, which account for 78,907 units.

VW has determined that the camera issue exists in 100% of these vehicles, according to its filing with the NHTSA.  

The Atlas models were built at VW’s factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the Golf models were built at the company’s Wolfsburg, Germany, plant. The infotainment units were supplied by LG Electronics in Poland.

The problem was first identified in August 2023 on some 2022 model year Volkswagen Golf vehicles. VW conducted an analysis and determined the problem was caused by defective software and engineered an update to improve overall performance and fix the camera fault.

Dealers will update the infotainment system software in the recalled vehicles at no charge, which VW says takes about one hour to complete. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 23. 

Last month, Stellantis issued a similar recall affecting over 1 million vehicles to fix a problem where the rear view camera image could fail to display on the infotainment screen. Like the VW recall, Stellantis determined it was a software issue.