What problems do owners report with the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?

NHTSA's largest complaint groups are electrical system (111), engine (102), air bags (100) and brakes (75). In the small samples we read, owners describe start/stop and battery trouble, sudden automatic braking and air bag warning lights.

How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have?

NHTSA lists 17 recalls for the 2018 Atlas, tied with 2021 for the most of any model year. The newest, 26V590, covers a steering rack bolt, and owner letters are expected November 10, 2026.

What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?

The EPA rates the 2.0L turbo front-wheel drive at 24 mpg combined, the 3.6L front-wheel drive at 20 and the 3.6L 4motion all-wheel drive at 19.

What safety rating does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have?

NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover, in both all-wheel and front-wheel drive.

Is the 2018 Atlas the worst Atlas year?

By complaints it is third of ten years, behind 2021 and 2019, and it ties 2021 for the most recalls. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

2018 Volkswagen Atlas Problems, Recalls and MPG

Optional: drop the 26V590 clause from the lead (it is covered in Recalls).

466owner complaints^[1]

17recalls^[2]

19–24MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 466 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Atlas^[1]. Of those, 8 mention a crash and none a fire, and 18 injuries and no deaths are reported^[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several components.

The biggest groups by number of complaints are:

Component group	Complaints	Median miles at failure
Electrical system^[5]	111	18,737
Engine^[6]	102	18,500
Air bags^[7]	100	45,000
Brakes^[8]	75	13,519

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show what owners reported and not how often a part fails.

We read a small sample of 12 complaint texts from each of these four groups^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]. It is only a sample, so treat it as a flavor of what owners describe and not a measure of how common anything is.

Electrical system. In the sample, about 7 of 12 texts describe the engine shutting off or not restarting at stops, or the battery draining or dying, often with the start/stop feature mentioned^[5]. 3 of 12 describe the car braking suddenly by itself^[5].
Engine. In the sample, 5 of 12 texts describe the engine shutting off at a stop or a dead battery with start/stop^[6]. 2 of 12 describe oil use or an oil leak^[6].
Air bags. In the sample, 5 of 12 texts describe an air bag warning light or a passenger air bag that switched off and on^[7]. 4 of 12 describe air bags going off after hitting a curb or a drain or road hazard^[7]. 3 of 12 are about recall repairs that were not done or were hard to schedule^[7].
Brakes. In the sample, 9 of 12 texts describe the automatic emergency braking stopping the car suddenly with no obstacle, often on a sloped driveway or a dip^[8]. 2 of 12 mention the brake caliper recall^[8].

Smaller groups include fuel/propulsion system (32 complaints^[9]), forward collision avoidance (31^[10]) and steering (26^[11]).

Recalls

NHTSA lists 17 recalls for the 2018 Atlas^[2]. Newest first:

Steering rack bolt (26V590), September 11, 2026^[12]. A bolt that fastens the steering rack to the car's frame may rust through and snap. That can break the steering rack housing and cause loss of steering control. The fix is a new right-side mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner letters are expected November 10, 2026^[12].
Passenger air bag sensor (23V215), March 29, 2023^[13]. A wiring fault in the passenger occupant detection system can turn off the front passenger air bag even when someone is sitting in that seat. That raises injury risk in a crash. Dealers replace the sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge.
Side step label (22V086), February 16, 2022^[14]. Atlas models with accessory side steps were missing a reduced weight rating label. Without it the vehicle could be overloaded, which raises crash risk. Dealers install the label, free of charge.
Internal-use vehicles (21V321), May 5, 2021^[15]. A small number of vehicles used internally by Volkswagen were sold without checking that they met every federal requirement. (Same rewording for the 20V561 bullet, F15.) Volkswagen will repurchase them.
Continental tires (21V142), March 5, 2021^[16]. Some tires on the affected vehicles may have been cured too long, which can lead to a sidewall break or tread loss and a loss of control. Dealers check the tires and swap them if needed at no cost.
Internal-use vehicles (20V561), September 16, 2020^[17]. Another set of internal-use vehicles was sold without confirmation that they met all regulatory requirements. Volkswagen will repurchase them.
Air bag crash sensor (20V057), January 31, 2020^[18]. An incorrectly made air bag sensor can delay or disable air bag deployment. Dealers replace the sensor, free of charge.
Headlight aim (19V389), May 22, 2019^[19]. A blocking cap that stops the headlight's horizontal aim from being adjusted may be missing, so the aim can drift out of specification and reduce visibility. Dealers inspect and block the adjustment as needed, free of charge.
Rear coil springs (18V904), December 19, 2018^[20]. The rear coil springs may break. A broken spring can damage a rear tire and cause a loss of control. Dealers put in new rear coil springs at no cost.
Key reminder chime (18V824), November 26, 2018^[21]. In vehicles without keyless entry, the instrument cluster may not sound a warning when the key is left in the ignition and the door is opened. That raises the risk of theft or a crash. Dealers reprogram the cluster, free of charge.
Air bag control module (18V537), August 20, 2018^[22]. A twisted air conditioning drain tube can let water reach the air bag control module, which may cause the air bags to deploy when they should not. Dealers inspect the tube and, if it is twisted, replace the tube and the module, free of charge.
Brake caliper bolts (18V536), August 15, 2018^[23]. Brake caliper bracket bolts may not have been tightened enough. That can reduce braking ability or cause a loss of control. Dealers inspect the bolts and replace and re-torque them as necessary, free of charge.
Second-row seat belt buckles (18V380), June 7, 2018^[24]. The owner's manual did not warn about child seat bases wider than 12.6 inches in the second-row center seat. Such a base can damage the buckles, and a damaged buckle can release in a crash. Dealers inspect the buckles and replace them if needed, free of charge.
Passenger air bag (18V375), June 6, 2018^[25]. The passenger front air bag may tear or not unfold properly in a crash. Dealers replace the air bag, free of charge.
Brake caliper pistons (18V369), June 1, 2018^[26]. The caliper pistons may have insufficient coating, which can reduce braking performance. Dealers bleed the front and rear brake calipers, free of charge. Owners were advised not to drive until the brake system had been checked.
Fuel tank leak, expansion (18V284), May 2, 2018^[27]. The fuel tank may leak because of a manufacturing error. A leak near an ignition source raises fire risk. This recall expands 17V766. Dealers replace the tank, free of charge.
Fuel tank wall (17V766), November 29, 2017^[28]. The fuel tank may have been made with walls that are too thin and may leak fuel. A leak near an ignition source raises fire risk. Dealers replace the tank, free of charge.

Owners can contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298^[12]. The other recalls above state free fixes or repurchase, but this page cannot tell you whether a given car had the work done. Check the VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for the 2018 Atlas by engine and drive:

Version	City / Highway / Combined	Annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, front-wheel drive, Automatic (S8)^[3]	22 / 26 / 24 mpg	$2,800
3.6L 6-cyl, front-wheel drive, Automatic (S8)^[29]	18 / 25 / 20 mpg	$3,350
3.6L 6-cyl 4motion, all-wheel drive, Automatic (S8)^[30]	17 / 23 / 19 mpg	$3,550

All three use regular fuel. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions and not the price when the car was new^[29].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2018 Atlas 5 stars overall, 5 stars in the frontal test, 5 stars in the side test and 4 stars for rollover^[4]^[31]. This is the same for the all-wheel drive version^[4] and the front-wheel drive version^[31]. NHTSA lists rollover risk at 13.6% for all-wheel drive^[4] and 15.9% for front-wheel drive^[31].

Engine and size

The EPA test list shows two engines. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated 238 hp^[32]. The 3.6L 6-cylinder is rated 280 hp^[33].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models^[34].

	4motion	Front-wheel drive
Length^[34]^[35]	198 in	198 in
Width^[34]^[35]	78 in	78 in
Height^[34]^[35]	69 in	69 in
Wheelbase^[34]^[35]	117 in	117 in
Curb weight^[34]^[35]	4,502 lb	4,334 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Atlas model year. The 2018 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2018	466	17
2019	482	12
2020	134	11
2021	645	17
2022	258	7
2023	157	6
2024	275	8
2025	73	5
2026	11	2

NHTSA lists 466 complaints for the 2018 Atlas^[2]. That is the third-highest of the ten model years on file, behind 2021 with 645 and 2019 with 482^[2]. The 2018 model year ties 2021 for the most recalls, at 17 each^[2]. The 2019 model year has 12 recalls and 2020 has 11^[2].

Model years from 2022 on have fewer complaints than 2018 (2022 has 258 and 2023 has 157), and complaint counts are not adjusted for sales^[2].

Should you buy a used 2018 Atlas?

The 2018 Atlas has a strong crash test record, with 5 stars overall^[4]^[31]. It also has 17 recalls, and most list a free fix, so the key question for any car is whether the work was done^[2]. Check the VIN on NHTSA.gov before you buy or keep one. The 2026 steering rack bolt recall is new, with owner letters expected November 10, 2026, so a car you are looking at may not have had that fix yet^[12]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe start/stop and battery trouble and sudden automatic braking, so test those on a drive^[5]^[8].

Frequently asked questions

What problems do owners report with the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?: NHTSA's largest complaint groups are electrical system (111), engine (102), air bags (100) and brakes (75)^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]. In the small samples we read, owners describe start/stop and battery trouble, sudden automatic braking and air bag warning lights.
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have?: NHTSA lists 17 recalls for the 2018 Atlas, tied with 2021 for the most of any model year^[2]. The newest, 26V590, covers a steering rack bolt, and owner letters are expected November 10, 2026^[12].
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?: The EPA rates the 2.0L turbo front-wheel drive at 24 mpg combined^[3], the 3.6L front-wheel drive at 20^[29] and the 3.6L 4motion all-wheel drive at 19^[30].
What safety rating does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have?: NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover, in both all-wheel and front-wheel drive^[4]^[31].
Is the 2018 Atlas the worst Atlas year?: By complaints it is third of ten years, behind 2021 and 2019, and it ties 2021 for the most recalls^[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 466 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas (8 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 18 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Atlas model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Atlas, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 26 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
111 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,737). NHTSA vehicle records
102 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,500). NHTSA vehicle records
100 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
75 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,519). NHTSA vehicle records
32 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,050). NHTSA vehicle records
31 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,500). NHTSA vehicle records
26 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 26V590, filed September 11, 2026: Steering. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V215, filed March 29, 2023: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V086, filed February 16, 2022: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V321, filed May 5, 2021: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V142, filed March 5, 2021: Tires › Sidewall. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V561, filed September 16, 2020: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V057, filed January 31, 2020: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V389, filed May 22, 2019: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V904, filed December 19, 2018: Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V824, filed November 26, 2018: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V537, filed August 20, 2018: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V536, filed August 15, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V380, filed June 7, 2018: Seat Belts › Rear / Other › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V375, filed June 6, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V369, filed June 1, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V284, filed May 2, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V766, filed November 29, 2017: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Atlas, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Atlas 4motion, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Volkswagen Atlas with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 238 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Volkswagen Atlas with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ATLAS 4DR SUV 4MOTION: length 198 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,502 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ATLAS 4DR SUV FWD: length 198 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,334 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2018 Volkswagen Atlas: problems, recalls and fuel economy