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Your vehicleHome›Volkswagen›Atlas› 2018
Active NHTSA advisory: do not drive. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.
Volkswagen · Compact SUV

2018 Volkswagen Atlas

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
45 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 17
Complaints8 crash · 18 injured reported 466
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 24 mpg
2027202620252024202320222021202020192018

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Atlas, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 466 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Volkswagen Atlas — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Volkswagen Atlas · Photo: JustAnotherCarDesigner · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
AtlasGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222624$2,800
AtlasGasFWD3.6L 6-cyl182520$3,350
Atlas 4motionGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl172319$3,550

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39468, 38723, 38729.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Atlas3 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 / California LEV-III ULEV125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Atlas5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Atlas 4motion5 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 / California LEV-III ULEV70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders6
Displacement3.6 L

Engine Output

Horsepower276 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows3
Seating capacity7 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds8

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Electronic stability control, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Optional: Adaptive cruise control, Blind-spot monitoring, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Parking assist

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: 4Motion SE, 4Motion SEL, 4Motion SEL Premium, Launch Model). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length198.4 in
Width (body, without mirrors)78.0 in
Height68.9 in
Wheelbase117.3 in
Track, front67.7 in
Track, rear67.7 in
Curb weight4,334–4,502 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear56/44 to 57/43

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: 4-door SUV 4Motion, 4-door SUV FWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2018 Atlas
Other years The 2027 Atlas Recalls Volkswagen recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (17)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Steering

48LG, 48VT
208,724 vehicles
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break. Risk A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V590000 reported Sep 11, 2026 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

69FB
143,053 vehicles 64% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied. Risk A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V215000 reported Mar 29, 2023 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Equipment

09D9
3,648 vehicles 90% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." Risk Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will install the reduced GVWR label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 09D9.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V086000 reported Feb 16, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Unknown Or Other

01F1
46 vehicles 37% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Risk Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire. Fix Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V321000 reported May 5, 2021 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Tires

44R1
2,535 vehicles 95% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production. Risk Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44R1.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V142000 reported Mar 5, 2021 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Unknown Or Other

01E9
23 vehicles 74% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Risk Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V561000 reported Sep 16, 2020 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

69AL
7 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Atlas vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrectly manufactured air bag sensor, which can delay or disable air bag deployment when necessary. Risk In the event of a crash necessitating frontal air bag deployment, a delayed or disabled airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag crash sensor, free of charge. The recall began February 21, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69AL.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V057000 reported Jan 31, 2020 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Exterior Lighting

94L9
662,185 vehicles 69% reported repaired built Nov 17, 2016 – Feb 12, 2019
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Risk Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V389000 reported May 22, 2019 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Suspension

42J2/42J3
6,322 vehicles 89% reported repaired built May 14, 2018 – Oct 26, 2018
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture. Risk If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J2/42J3.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V904000 reported Dec 19, 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Electrical System

90L3 / 90L4
73,549 vehicles 89% reported repaired built Dec 22, 2016 – Nov 10, 2018
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection." Risk If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V824000 reported Nov 26, 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

87F9
9,685 vehicles 93% reported repaired built Nov 17, 2016 – Aug 18, 2017
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. During production, the air conditioning system drain tube may have been twisted, causing water to drain into the air bag control module. Risk The wet air bag control module may result in an unintentional deployment of the air bags, increasing the risk of injury or crash. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain tube, and if it is twisted, the drain tube and air bag control module will be replaced, free of charge. Some of the affected vehicles have had their drain tube previously replaced but did not receive a new air bag control module; the airbag control module will be replaced in these vehicles. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbe
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V537000 reported Aug 20, 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

46H6
8,416 vehicles 96% reported repaired built Mar 15, 2017 – Jun 12, 2018
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently. Risk The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volksw
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V536000 reported Aug 15, 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

69X1
54,729 vehicles 94% reported repaired built Nov 17, 2016 – Jun 14, 2018
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswaen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. The owner's manuals provided with the affected vehicles do not inform the customers about the child restraint size limitation/restrictions for the second row center seating position. As a result, the center and adjacent outboard seat belt buckles on the second row can become damaged it a child seat base is installed that is wider than 12.6 inches. Risk A damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the center and left outboard seat belt buckles, and replace them if necessary, free of charge. Volkswagen will also provide an owner's manual supplement addressing child safety and child restraints. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X1.
NHTSA campaign 18V380000 reported Jun 7, 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

69W8 69W9
821 vehicles 90% reported repaired built Apr 18, 2018 – May 3, 2018
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan vehicles. In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment. Risk If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69W8, and 69W9.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V375000 reported Jun 6, 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

47N8, 47N9, 47N6
Do not drive 10,225 vehicles 99% reported repaired built Apr 9, 2018 – Jun 4, 2018
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance. Risk A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
NHTSA campaign 18V369000 reported Jun 1, 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20AW
278 vehicles 96% reported repaired built Apr 27, 2017 – Jun 20, 2017
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. The fuel tank on these vehicles may leak fuel due to a manufacturing error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity." Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AW. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 17V-766.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V284000 reported May 2, 2018 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

20AQ
58 vehicles 95% reported repaired built May 16, 2017 – Jun 10, 2017
Problem Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Atlas vehicles. The fuel tank may have been manufactured with insufficient wall thickness, potentially resulting in the tank leaking fuel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity." Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Fix Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AQ.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 17V766000 reported Nov 29, 2017 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Forward Collision Avoidance — Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking closed

On September 28, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23017) to assess reports of inadvertent activation of the Front Assist automatic emergency braking (AEB) system in model year (MY) 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. The reports alleged that activation of the AEB system occurred while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. Volkswagen indicated that it is aware of a total of 292 reports that may relate to the alleged defect in MY 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Volkswagen stated that some customers possibly had an inadequate understanding of Front Assist and its limit

Opened Sep 28, 2023 · closed Dec 18, 2024 · action PE23017 · the investigation’s page →

Fuel System, Gasoline — Fuel Injector Leak closed

On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-008 to investigate instances of fuel injectors leaking in the engine compartment in model year (MY) 2018 through 2020 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs. These vehicles are equipped with either a 3.6 or 2.0 liter engine. The subject investigation concerns vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. Prior to opening the investigation, ODI also observed that warranty data for the fuel system from TREAD reporting was an outlier for the MY 2018 Atlas. The allegation involved fuel injectors leaking fuel near engine compartment components that operate at high temperatures. Consumers allege a fuel leak, fuel odor, and/or an

Opened Mar 29, 2021 · closed Oct 3, 2022 · action PE21008 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Atlas

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2018 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Volkswagen publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Volkswagen’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Atlas →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
466complaints filed

8 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 18 injuries · 0 deaths reported

55 per 10,000 built · Volkswagen reported 83,974 Atlas built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2017: 3 · 2018: 74 · 2019: 93 · 2020: 28 · 2021: 34 · 2022: 30 · 2023: 81 · 2024: 65 · 2025: 31 · 2026: 27

Most-cited components

Electrical System → 111
Engine → 103
Air Bags → 100
Service Brakes → 75
Unspecified 72
Forward Collision Avoidance 36

In depth: electrical problems → · engine problems → · airbag problems → · brake problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Automatic braking system is faulty. When I pull out of driveways or parking lots the sensors are activating and the maneuver braking is applied and the car comes to an abrubt stop in the middle of the road. Everytime this has occured there has not been an object or car present. This system is faulty and dangerous.
Service Brakes at 4,446 miles Jul 11, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11110813
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. Within weeks of owning the vehicle, there was a failure with the strut mounted system. Furthermore, an abnormal rattling noise was heard on both sides of the front end of the vehicle. In addition, the front assist with autonomous emergency braking system engaged several times without warning.
Electrical System Jun 20, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11102848
Driving straight on a 2 lane highway with lane assist on, the wheel began to pull towards the center line as another vehicle was approaching from the opposite lane. This happened 2 different times during this particular drive
Steering at 1,500 miles Jun 12, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11101434
Connecting rod bearing failure. New vehicle, 17 days since delivery, 704 miles at time of incident driving vehicle at 30mph on surface street EPC light illuminated on dash. This was accompanied by a metal knocking sound that was in time with engine speed. Towed to dealer. Sound was confirmed to be rod knock.
Engine at 704 miles Jun 3, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11099379
Purchased new 2018 Atlas at herog meier VW dealership in beaverton oregon on 5-19-18. Upon driving home from dealership the airbag error light came on and would not go out. Called dealer once home and immediately drove back to dealer. They said to drive it and come back monday to service department.
Air Bags at 430 miles Jun 2, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11099361
The 2nd row does not lock easily. Upon sudden brake, the seat came loose and slammed into the back of the front seat. Nobody was sitting there at the time but if my child was in a child seat, she would have been injured very easily
Seats at 200 miles May 8, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11092491

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Volkswagen itself: 44 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 1 killed, 54 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 52 per 100,000 built. Every Atlas model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 16k

miles, typically

Half the 215 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 6,000 and 31,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 73
10k–20k 49
20k–30k 29
30k–40k 23
40k–50k 11
50k–60k 8
60k–70k 3
70k–80k 5
80k–90k 8
90k–100k 2
100k–150k 4
150k + 0

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Electrical System6619,0000.84×
Engine4620,0000.4×
Service Brakes4414,0000.49×
Unspecified419,500—
Air Bags1745,0001.88×
Steering1525,0001.72×
Fuel/Propulsion System1250,6761.59×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2018-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: engine (0.4×), service brakes (0.49×); later: air bags (1.88×), steering (1.72×), fuel/propulsion system (1.59×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Across 2018–2021 model years the Volkswagen Atlas ranks 19 of 79 nameplates in the odometer-at-first-complaint study: owners reported problems at 0.57× the mileage of vehicles the same age (median 14,365 miles against a fleet 23,512).

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆14%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 4 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Volkswagen warranty extension (9) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 813
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-17
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 790 service bulletins, 15 others, 8 warranty extensions

Most often about: Equipment, Engine, Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Visibility/Wiper.

  • V0116152014815_20 Service bulletin
    2026-09-17 · Engine
  • Suggested fuel additive
  • 2026-09-09 · Unknown Or Other
  • This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
  • VOS-26-52 Service bulletin
    2026-09-04 · Air Bags
  • This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct airbag basic settings programming.
  • V4622022067177_5 Service bulletin
    2026-08-27 · Service Brakes
  • Repair or Replace Information
  • V4015022033347_8 Service bulletin
    2026-08-10 · Power Train
  • Replacement instruction
  • 2026-08-06 · Unknown Or Other
  • Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
  • V0026012081638_2 Service bulletin
    2026-08-04 · Unknown Or Other
  • Differences between a leak and seepage
  • VOS-26-42 Service bulletin
    2026-07-15 · Electrical System
  • This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0496
P0496 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment25 bulletins
U0284
U0284 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment16 bulletins
P0133
P0133 on Volkswagen →		The upstream bank 1 oxygen sensor is responding too slowly to be trusted.Equipment · Oxygen sensor →14 bulletins
P0556
P0556 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment11 bulletins
P1429
P1429 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment11 bulletins
P02CC
P02CC on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine10 bulletins
P02CE
P02CE on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine10 bulletins
P02D0
P02D0 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine10 bulletins
P02D2
P02D2 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine10 bulletins
P02D4
P02D4 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine10 bulletins
P02D6
P02D6 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine10 bulletins
P02D7
P02D7 on Volkswagen →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine10 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

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At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas failed the emissions check on 1.9% of first inspections — lower than the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.9% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%).

New York inspections 1.9%

failed emissions

2,529 initial inspections of 2,482 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2018 AtlasEvery 2018 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.9%3.0%2,518
Failed the safety inspection1.9%1.9%2,529
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.32%0.22%2,529
Miles driven a year11,98510,002odometer at inspection
Average odometer99,18682,833odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2018 vehicle” is every 2018 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Atlas by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A 0 0 25 mpg2026 B 2 11 Do not drive2025 C 5 76 23 mpg2024 D 8 276 23 mpg2023 D 6 159 23 mpg2022 F 7 259 23 mpg2021 F 17 645 Do not drive2020 F 11 134 Do not drive2019 F 12 483 22 mpg2018 this page F 17 466 Do not drive

Common questions about the 2018 Atlas

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 17 recall campaigns for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 18V369000, covering Service Brakes, Hydraulic. There is an active do not drive advisory — act on it before driving. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?

NHTSA gave the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (45/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?

Across the 3 EPA-rated configurations of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, the best EPA combined figure is 24 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?

Transport Canada measured it at 198.4 in long, 78.0 in wide (body, without mirrors), 68.9 in tall, on a 117.3 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,334–4,502 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?

Owners have filed 466 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, most often about electrical system, engine, air bags. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 18 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?

The EPA smog rating for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas runs 3 to 5 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV125, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?

The manufacturer has filed 813 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, most often covering equipment, engine, electrical system. The most recent is dated 2026-09-17. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas failed the emissions check on 1.9% of first inspections — lower than the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.9% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations3 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates3 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls17NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints466NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins813NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations2NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 Atlas The Atlas model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Volkswagen recall on file All campaigns filed against Volkswagen vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Atlas by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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