Model year 2018 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2018 Volkswagen Atlas: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas at 19–24 mpg combined across 3 versions. NHTSA lists 17 safety recalls and 466 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Volkswagen dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 17 safety recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, newest first.
Steering
NHTSA 26V590000 Reported Sep 11, 2026
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 48LG, 48VT)
- Units affected
- 208,724 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Air bags: Sensor: Occupant classification: Front passenger
NHTSA 23V215000 Reported Mar 29, 2023
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 69FB)
- Units affected
- 143,053 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Equipment: Other: Labels
NHTSA 22V086000 Reported Feb 16, 2022
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 09D9)
- Units affected
- 3,648 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Unknown or other
NHTSA 21V321000 Reported May 5, 2021
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 01F1)
- Units affected
- 46 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Tires: Sidewall
NHTSA 21V142000 Reported Mar 5, 2021
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 44R1)
- Units affected
- 2,535 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Unknown or other
NHTSA 20V561000 Reported Sep 16, 2020
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 01E9)
- Units affected
- 23 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Air bags
NHTSA 20V057000 Reported Jan 31, 2020
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 69AL)
- Units affected
- 7 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Exterior lighting: Headlights
NHTSA 19V389000 Reported May 22, 2019
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 94L9)
- Units affected
- 662,185 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Suspension: Rear: Springs: Coil springs
NHTSA 18V904000 Reported Dec 19, 2018
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 42J2/42J3)
- Units affected
- 6,322 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Electrical system: Instrument cluster/panel
NHTSA 18V824000 Reported Nov 26, 2018
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 90L3 / 90L4)
- Units affected
- 73,549 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Air bags: Air bag/restraint control module
NHTSA 18V537000 Reported Aug 20, 2018
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 87F9)
- Units affected
- 9,685 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic: Foundation components: Disc: Caliper
NHTSA 18V536000 Reported Aug 15, 2018
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 46H6)
- Units affected
- 8,416 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Seat belts: Rear/other: Buckle assembly
NHTSA 18V380000 Reported Jun 7, 2018
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 69X1)
- Units affected
- 54,729 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Air bags: Frontal: Passenger side: Inflator module
NHTSA 18V375000 Reported Jun 6, 2018
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 69W8 69W9)
- Units affected
- 821 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic: Foundation components: Disc: Caliper
NHTSA 18V369000 Reported Jun 1, 2018 Do not drive
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 47N8, 47N9, 47N6)
- Units affected
- 10,225 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Fuel system, gasoline: Storage: Tank assembly
NHTSA 18V284000 Reported May 2, 2018
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 20AW)
- Units affected
- 278 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Fuel system, gasoline: Storage
NHTSA 17V766000 Reported Nov 29, 2017
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 20AQ)
- Units affected
- 58 (estimate)
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas owner complaints
Owners have filed 466 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, most recently on Oct 4, 2026. 8 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 18 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.
