2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 458 complaints · 16 recalls
Most-reported system: AIR BAGS (83 complaints · 18.1%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 7
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 18
  • Deaths 0
Compare all model years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution AIR BAGS appears in 83 of 458 owner complaints (18.1%) in this vehicle snapshot. AIR BAGS: 83 complaints, 18.1% of reports AIR BAGS 83 · 18.1% · 1 crash reports ENGINE: 62 complaints, 13.5% of reports ENGINE 62 · 13.5% ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 56 complaints, 12.2% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 56 · 12.2% SERVICE BRAKES: 42 complaints, 9.2% of reports SERVICE BRAKES 42 · 9.2% · 1 crash reports FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: 27 complaints, 5.9% of reports FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 27 · 5.9% · 1 crash reports FUEL SYSTEM: 22 complaints, 4.8% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 22 · 4.8% STEERING: 18 complaints, 3.9% of reports STEERING 18 · 3.9% · 1 crash reports EXTERIOR LIGHTING: 13 complaints, 2.8% of reports EXTERIOR LIGHTING 13 · 2.8% POWER TRAIN: 12 complaints, 2.6% of reports POWER TRAIN 12 · 2.6% · 1 crash reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 124 complaints, 27.1% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 124 · 27.1% · 2 crash reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
AIR BAGS 83 18.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
ENGINE 62 13.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 56 12.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
SERVICE BRAKES 42 9.2% 1 crashes · 0 fires
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 27 5.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 22 4.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
STEERING 18 3.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 13 2.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
POWER TRAIN 12 2.6% 1 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 124 27.1% 2 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2017; the first recall shown was reported in Nov 2017. 2017-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2018-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2018-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2018-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2018-Q4: 28 owner reports 28 2019-Q1: 52 owner reports 52 2019-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2019-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 2019-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2020-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2020-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2020-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2021-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2021-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2021-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2021-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2022-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2022-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2022-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2022-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2023-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2023-Q2: 21 owner reports 21 2023-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2023-Q4: 28 owner reports 28 2024-Q1: 27 owner reports 27 2024-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2024-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 2024-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2025-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2025-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2025-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2025-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2026-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2026-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2026-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 Owner reports Oct 2017 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 17V766000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V766000 Recall campaign 18V284000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V284000 Recall campaign 18V369000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V369000 Recall campaign 18V375000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V375000 Recall campaign 18V380000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V380000 Recall campaign 18V536000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V536000 Recall campaign 18V537000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V537000 Recall campaign 18V824000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V824000 Recall campaign 18V904000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V904000 Recall campaign 19V389000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V389000 Recall campaign 20V057000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V057000 Recall campaign 20V561000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V561000 Recall campaign 21V142000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V142000 Recall campaign 21V321000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V321000 Recall campaign 22V086000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V086000 Recall campaign 23V215000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V215000 Investigation PE21008 ● Investigation PE21008 Investigation PE23017 ● Investigation PE23017
  • Campaign 18V369000 was reported 162 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V375000 was reported 152 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V536000 was reported 237 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V537000 was reported 227 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V824000 was reported 359 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V904000 was reported 281 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 19V389000 was reported 171 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V086000 was reported 1,551 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 23V215000 was reported 1,909 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2017-Q4 Owner reports 3
2018-Q1 Owner reports 9
2018-Q2 Owner reports 13
2018-Q3 Owner reports 24
2018-Q4 Owner reports 28
2019-Q1 Owner reports 52
2019-Q2 Owner reports 17
2019-Q3 Owner reports 12
2019-Q4 Owner reports 12
2020-Q1 Owner reports 13
2020-Q2 Owner reports 2
2020-Q3 Owner reports 7
2020-Q4 Owner reports 6
2021-Q1 Owner reports 13
2021-Q2 Owner reports 6
2021-Q3 Owner reports 10
2021-Q4 Owner reports 5
2022-Q1 Owner reports 5
2022-Q2 Owner reports 7
2022-Q3 Owner reports 11
2022-Q4 Owner reports 7
2023-Q1 Owner reports 8
2023-Q2 Owner reports 21
2023-Q3 Owner reports 24
2023-Q4 Owner reports 28
2024-Q1 Owner reports 27
2024-Q2 Owner reports 15
2024-Q3 Owner reports 12
2024-Q4 Owner reports 9
2025-Q1 Owner reports 10
2025-Q2 Owner reports 10
2025-Q3 Owner reports 6
2025-Q4 Owner reports 5
2026-Q1 Owner reports 9
2026-Q2 Owner reports 5
2026-Q3 Owner reports 7
Recall campaign 1 17V766000
Recall campaign 1 18V284000
Recall campaign 1 18V369000
Recall campaign 1 18V375000
Recall campaign 1 18V380000
Recall campaign 1 18V536000
Recall campaign 1 18V537000
Recall campaign 1 18V824000
Recall campaign 1 18V904000
Recall campaign 1 19V389000
Recall campaign 1 20V057000
Recall campaign 1 20V561000
Recall campaign 1 21V142000
Recall campaign 1 21V321000
Recall campaign 1 22V086000
Recall campaign 1 23V215000
Defect investigation 1 PE21008
Defect investigation 1 PE23017
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (16)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17V766000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V284000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V369000

    Report date
    Component:
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
    Consequence:
    A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V375000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V380000

    Report date
    Component:
    SEAT BELTS
    Consequence:
    A damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V536000

    Report date
    Component:
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
    Consequence:
    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.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V537000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    The wet air bag control module may result in an unintentional deployment of the air bags, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V824000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Consequence:
    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.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V904000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    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.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 19V389000

    Report date
    Component:
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING
    Consequence:
    Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V057000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash necessitating frontal air bag deployment, a delayed or disabled airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V561000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  13. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V142000

    Report date
    Component:
    TIRES
    Consequence:
    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.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  14. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V321000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  15. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 22V086000

    Report date
    Component:
    EQUIPMENT
    Consequence:
    Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  16. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 23V215000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 458 complaints · page 1 of 19

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources