Tijerina – Atlas Second Row Seat Latching Mechanism
Class Settlement FAQs
•

What did the class action claim and what is the Class Settlement?
The class action claimed that the second row seat latching mechanism in Volkswagen Atlas
vehicles are defective and, in certain instances, may not function properly. VWGoA has denied
and contested those claims. Without any admission of liability or fault, VWGoA has entered
into a nationwide class settlement that has been preliminarily approved by the court. The
“Settlement Class Vehicles” or “Covered Vehicles,” which were imported and distributed by
VWGoA in the United States and Puerto Rico, will include model year 2018-2024 Volkswagen
Atlas vehicles. The specific Covered Vehicles are determined by VINs. You can look up whether
the vehicle is a Covered Vehicle by typing the vehicle’s VIN in Elsa > Vehicle Data.

The class settlement provides the following benefits relating to these Covered
Vehicles:
I.

Owner’s Manual Insert and Instructional Video

For certain of the model year 2018-2023 Settlement Class Vehicles, accompanying the
mailed Class Notice there is an insert for the Owner’s Manual containing certain updated warnings
and instructions with respect to the operation of the second row seat latching mechanism that are
the same as the current version of the Owner’s Manual issued with model year 2024 Atlas vehicles.
In addition, an instructional video demonstrating how to properly latch the second row
seat, and how to confirm that the second row seat is properly latched, is available at
www.KnowYourVW.com.

II.

Warranty Extension for Current Owners and Lessees of Covered Vehicles:

Effective on May 21, 2025 [the date that the class notice will be mailed to the customers],
the New Vehicle Limited Warranties (“NVLWs”) for the Covered Vehicles will be extended to cover
the cost of repair or replacement, by an authorized Volkswagen dealer, of a failed or malfunctioned
second row seat latching mechanism, during a period of up to 10 years or 100,000 miles
(whichever occurs first) from the Covered Vehicle’s original In-Service Date.
The Warranty Extension will be administered through the SAGA system and is discussed in
more detail below.

II. Reimbursement for the Past Paid Cost of a Covered Repair (TO BE HANDLED
EXCLUSIVELY BY THE SETTLEMENT CLAIM ADMINISTRATOR):
Customers who, prior to May 21, 2025, and within 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever
occurred first) from a Covered Vehicle’s In-Service Date, paid out-of-pocket expenses for repair or
replacement of a failed or malfunctioned second row seat latching mechanism may be eligible to
submit, to the Settlement Claim Administrator, a claim for reimbursement of the paid invoice
Internal

1

2025

amount for one such repair or replacement (parts and labor). This part of the settlement, including
all claims and issues relating to reimbursement, will be handled exclusively by the Settlement
Claim Administrator. It is not handled by VWGoA.
•

How should I respond to questions regarding the terms of the settlement?
If a Settlement Class Member (customer) contacts you with any questions regarding the details
of this settlement or any applicable procedures or deadlines, please tell them to contact the
Settlement Claim Administrator at 1-866-287-0739 and/or to visit the settlement website at
www.AtlasSeatLatchSettlement.com, which will contain copies of the Class Notice and other
necessary information.

•

What if the customer asks whether his/her/its vehicle is covered?
The settlement covers certain model year 2018-2024 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles that are
specifically identified on a VIN list. If a customer brings in a vehicle for a second row seat latch
repair under the Warranty Extension, you can verify whether the vehicle is a Covered Vehicle by
typing that vehicle’s VIN in Elsa > Vehicle Data. Otherwise, if the customer asks whether
his/her/its vehicle is covered, you can advise the customer that they can check to see if their
vehicle is covered by entering their vehicle’s VIN in the VIN lookup tool at
www.AtlasSeatLatchSettlement.com. If the customer has any other questions about the
settlement, please tell them to contact the Settlement Claim Administrator at 1-866-287-0739
and/or to visit the settlement website at www.AtlasSeatLatchSettlement.com, which will
contain copies of the Class Notice and other necessary information.

•

What if the customer asks how to submit a claim for reimbursement for a past paid repair, or
what the deadline and procedure is for submitting a claim, or what information or
documentation he/she/it would need to provide?
For any questions about the reimbursement part of the settlement, including when and how to
submit a claim for reimbursement and the documentation needed, please tell the customer to
contact the Settlement Claim Administrator at 1-866-287-0739 and/or to visit the settlement
website at www.AtlasSeatLatchSettlement.com, which will contain copies of the Class Notice
and other necessary information.

•

What if the customer says he/she/it lost the Owner’s Manual Insert that came with the class
notice?
If a Settlement Class Member contacts you and indicates he/she/it lost the Owner’s Manual
Insert, advise them to go to www.KnowYourVW.com where there will be a copy of the insert
that the customer can download and print.

•

What if my dealership is selling a used Covered Vehicle?
Confirm that the Owner’s Manual that is being provided includes the insert. The CPO checklist
for the Covered Vehicles includes instructions on how to include the Owner’s Manual insert in
vehicles you are selling.

Internal

2

2025

•

What if the customer says he/she/it is not satisfied with the claim decision or the amount of
the reimbursement received for the claim?
For any questions regarding the reimbursement part of the settlement, including the submission
or outcome of any claim for reimbursement, please tell the customer to contact the Settlement
Claim Administrator at 1-866-287-0739 and/or to visit the settlement website at
www.AtlasSeatLatchSettlement.com, which will contain copies of the Class Notice and other
necessary information.

Warranty Extension
•

What is the effective date of the Warranty Extension?
The effective date of the Warranty Extension is May 21, 2025. The Warranty Extension does not
apply to any repair order opened prior to May 21, 2025.

•

What is covered under the Warranty Extension?
The Warranty Extension covers the cost of repair or replacement (parts and labor), by an
authorized Volkswagen dealer, of a failed or malfunctioned second row seat latch mechanism,
during a period of up to 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever occurs first) from the Covered
Vehicle’s original In-Service Date.
Note that there are certain exceptions to the Warranty Extension that are discussed below.

•

Are dealer owned vehicles eligible for the Warranty Extension?
Under the Settlement terms, “anyone who purchased a Covered Vehicle for purpose of
commercial resale” is excluded from the Settlement Class. The Settlement also excludes
“anyone acting as a used car dealer.” Thus, the Warranty Extension would exclude authorized
Volkswagen dealers or any other commercial reseller or used car dealer, unless the vehicle was
purchased for purposes other than for commercial re-sale, such as use as a company vehicle or
loaner vehicle.

•

Is the Warranty Extension transferrable?
Yes, the Warranty Extension is fully transferable to subsequent owners to the extent that its time
and mileage limitation periods have not expired.

•

What if the dealer determines that other repairs are needed or should be done?
The Warranty Extension applies to second row seat latch repairs and any necessary
repair/adjustment to address any problems or issues with latching the second row seat. It does
not cover any other repairs. Thus, any other needed or desired repairs must be addressed
and/or dealt with outside of the Warranty Extension.

Internal

3

2025

•

Are towing costs covered under the Warranty Extension?
No. Towing costs are not covered under the Warranty Extension.

•

Will there be a loaner car provision / reimbursement as part of the extension?
No, there is no loaner car provision/reimbursement specific to the Warranty Extension. Alternate
transportation can, however, be considered under the existing Volkswagen Customer Mobility
Contribution Program Policy.

•

Are there exceptions to coverage under the Warranty Extension?
Yes. Excluded from the Warranty Extension are any second row seat latching failures or
malfunctions resulting from damage, abuse, alteration, modification, collision or crash,
vandalism or other impact or outside sources.

•

Claim Processing
SAGA Claiming Procedure
Claim Type
Service Number
Damage Code
Vendor Code

Internal

110
7263
0010
Identified on Part

4

2025