(Reuters) -Volkswagen is recalling over 271,000 vehicles in the United States due to a wiring fault that may deactivate front passenger air bags when the seat is occupied, the U.S. auto safety regulator said on Wednesday.

The recall affects the German automaker's certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles where the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and affect front passenger air bags.

The company's dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge for affected customers, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.