Model year record

2018 Volkswagen Atlas

17 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 753 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 26V590000

Steering

Component
Steering
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
208,724
Reported to NHTSA
2026-09-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V215000

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger

Component
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
143,053
Reported to NHTSA
2023-03-29
Owners notified
2024-03-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V086000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
3,648
Reported to NHTSA
2022-02-16
Owners notified
2022-03-31

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V321000

Unknown or other

Component
Unknown or other
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
46
Reported to NHTSA
2021-05-05
Owners notified
2021-05-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V142000

Tires: sidewall

Component
Tires: sidewall
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
2,535
Reported to NHTSA
2021-03-05
Owners notified
2021-03-24

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V561000

Unknown or other

Component
Unknown or other
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
23
Reported to NHTSA
2020-09-16
Owners notified
2020-10-06

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V057000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
7
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-31
Owners notified
2020-02-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating frontal air bag deployment, a delayed or disabled airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V389000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
662,185
Reported to NHTSA
2019-05-22
Owners notified
2019-07-16

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V904000

Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs

Component
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
6,322
Reported to NHTSA
2018-12-19
Owners notified
2019-01-31

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V824000

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Component
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
73,549
Reported to NHTSA
2018-11-26
Owners notified
2018-12-13

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V537000

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Component
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
9,685
Reported to NHTSA
2018-08-20
Owners notified
2018-09-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

The wet air bag control module may result in an unintentional deployment of the air bags, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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 number for this recall is 87F9.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V536000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
8,416
Reported to NHTSA
2018-08-15
Owners notified
2018-09-13

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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 Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V380000

Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
54,729
Reported to NHTSA
2018-06-07
Owners notified
2018-06-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V375000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
821
Reported to NHTSA
2018-06-06
Owners notified
2018-07-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V369000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
10,225
Reported to NHTSA
2018-06-01
Owners notified
2018-06-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V284000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
278
Reported to NHTSA
2018-05-02
Owners notified
2018-06-22

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V766000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
58
Reported to NHTSA
2017-11-29
Owners notified
2018-01-10

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system11918,475 mi
Engine11516,700 mi
Air bags10115,741 mi
Unknown or other808,800 mi
Service brakes7813,039 mi
Fuel/propulsion system4424,600 mi
Steering279,900 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking2355,500 mi
Exterior lighting2118,475 mi
Power train174,100 mi
Seats17950 mi
Seat belts1416,520 mi
Vehicle speed control124,446 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1120,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control961,000 mi
Structure: body94,100 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings8
Suspension73,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling440,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline394,000 mi
Tires3
Visibility/wiper316,500 mi
Lane departure: assist223,000 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection2
Service brakes, hydraulic270,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems2
Wheels217 mi
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module1
Back over prevention180,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings1
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert1
Electrical system: adas: blindspot: warning: chime1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Forward collision avoidance159,500 mi
Forward collision avoidance: dynamic brake support/brake assist1100 mi
Forward collision avoidance: sensing system128,000 mi
Lane departure: warning1
Latches/locks/linkages117,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch: emergency mechanical release117,000 mi
Other/i am not sure1
Seats: mid/rear assembly117,000 mi
Structure: interior panels: door1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs174,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer155,000 mi

The 2019 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.