NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
This page covers 23 recalls, 453 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas.
20–24 mpg combined
9.8–11.8 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas spread across several systems, but the airbag category draws the most reports. A recurring issue involves the passenger seat sensor and the airbag indicator light, owners frequently describe the front passenger airbag showing as "off" even with an adult passenger seated, raising questions about whether the airbag would deploy correctly. Engine complaints are the second-largest group, with owners commonly reporting coolant leaks, often traced to the water pump, along with overheating warnings and check engine lights appearing at highway and city speeds. Some owners note these coolant issues surfacing before 60,000 miles. The electrical system rounds out the top three, where headlight failures come up repeatedly, owners describe both low-beam LED assemblies going dark while driving, with replacements requiring full assembly swaps rather than simple bulb changes.
453
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
12
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas has 23 recalls, the most serious being a thin-walled fuel tank that can leak fuel and ignite a fire, loose brake caliper bracket bolts that can extend stopping distances or cause loss of control, and a misrouted air conditioning drain tube that can drench the airbag control module and trigger unexpected airbag deployment.
Several recalls involve tire and airbag safety. Certain Continental tires may have been over-cured during production, which can cause sidewall cracking or tread separation and sudden air loss. On the airbag side, the front passenger airbag may tear or fail to unfold correctly in a crash, a faulty airbag sensor can delay or prevent frontal airbag deployment, and a wiring fault in the passenger seat occupant detection system can deactivate the passenger airbag entirely when a seat is occupied. There is also a seatbelt concern: installing an oversized child seat base in the second-row center position can damage the center and adjacent outboard buckles, which can then release unexpectedly in a crash. Brake caliper pistons on certain vehicles may also have insufficient coating, reducing braking performance. On the chassis side, rear coil springs can fracture while driving and damage a tire, potentially causing loss of control. Lower-severity issues include headlights that may lack a horizontal aim adjustment blocking cap, an instrument cluster that may skip the audible key-in-ignition warning, and missing load rating labels on vehicles with accessory side steps.
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The passenger air bag detection system's wiring may malfunction, causing the front passenger air bag to turn off even when someone is sitting in that seat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the detection system sensor mat and wiring harness at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger occupant detection system may fail to recognize an occupied front passenger seat, causing the airbag to deactivate even when someone is sitting there. The instrument panel displays an error message and warning chime.
What the fix does
Replace the occupant detection sensor mat and seat harness at a Volkswagen dealership.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle's weight limit label was not updated to account for the added weight of accessory side steps, causing the label to show an inaccurate maximum weight rating.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the corrected weight limit label that reflects the side steps' added weight.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
These vehicles were sold without verification that they met all federal safety standards and may have been altered before sale, potentially failing to comply with required safety standards.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 for details.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain Continental tires may have been cured too long during manufacturing, causing the sidewall to crack or the tread and belts to separate, leading to sudden air loss and tire failure.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will mail owners instructions to take their vehicle to a dealer for tire inspection and replacement if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
One or more Continental tires may have been cured too long during production, potentially affecting tire integrity.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect tires and replace affected ones at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
These vehicles were sold without verification they met all federal safety standards and may have been modified before sale, potentially causing non-compliance with various safety requirements.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will contact owners and repurchase the vehicles.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag crash sensor may be incorrectly manufactured, which can delay or prevent air bags from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the air bag crash sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The blocking cap that prevents headlight horizontal aim adjustment may be missing, allowing unintended headlight aiming changes that don't meet federal lamp standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect headlights and install the blocking cap if needed to prevent horizontal adjustment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear coil springs may break prematurely, potentially affecting vehicle handling and safety.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster may not alert you with a sound when the key remains in the ignition and a door is open.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster at no cost to restore the audible warning.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air conditioning drain tube may be twisted, allowing water to drain into the airbag control module instead of outside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the drain tube and replace it along with the airbag control module if twisted, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air conditioner drain tube may be twisted, causing water to leak into the passenger compartment onto the airbag control module, which could cause it to malfunction and deploy airbags unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the drain tube and replace it along with the airbag control module if the tube is found twisted.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that attach the brake caliper bracket may not be tight enough, potentially causing the caliper to shift or detach.
What the fix does
Dealer will check and tighten all brake caliper bracket bolts and related fasteners to proper specifications. Passat owners will also have parking brake cable connection inspected.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that hold your brake caliper bracket may not be tight enough and could loosen over time. This allows the caliper to shift, which can increase your stopping distance, damage your wheel, and reduce steering control.
What the fix does
Your dealer will check the bolts. If any are loose, they'll replace it and tighten all bolts to the correct specification.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A child restraint base larger than recommended, when installed in the center second-row seat, can damage the center and adjacent seat belt buckles. A damaged buckle may release unexpectedly in a crash, increasing injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace damaged center and left second-row seat belt buckles as needed. Volkswagen will provide a manual supplement on child safety and restraints.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manual doesn't warn that child seat bases wider than 12.6 inches can damage the center and adjacent seat belt buckles in the second row.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace damaged second-row seat belt buckles at no cost, and provide an updated manual supplement about child restraints.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In a crash, the passenger front air bag may tear or fail to fully expand when it deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake caliper pistons may lack sufficient protective coating, which can reduce braking performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will bleed the brake system to restore proper brake function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank walls may be too thin due to a manufacturing issue, which could cause fuel to leak and potentially ignite, resulting in fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel tank with a properly manufactured one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank may leak fuel due to a manufacturing error, which can allow fuel to escape from the fuel system.
What the fix does
Volkswagen dealers will replace the fuel tank at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank may have been made with walls too thin, which could cause fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel tank at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank walls may be too thin due to a manufacturing issue, which could cause fuel to leak. If fuel leaks near an ignition source, it could start a fire.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace your fuel tank with a properly manufactured one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
