Complaint volume
452 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
452 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, grouped by component category.
Buyer interpretation
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
452 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
The most common categories are air bags, electrical system, engine. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Enriched records include 5 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 12 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage is available on 218 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 23,186 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
452 total complaints on record
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2019 | SEATS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE MIDDLE ROW SEATS VIOLENTLY SHIFTED FORWARD WHILE OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE SEATS WERE NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 11,000 |
| Sep 2019 | SEAT BELTS | IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE PURCHASED TWO 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS SE SUV'S BOTH VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES IN THE REAR SEAT SECTION. UNDER PRESSURE OF CAR SEAT INSTALLATION AND/OR NORMAL USE THESE BUCKLES HAVE BEEN DEEMED FAULTY BY A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND I WAS ADVISED TO NOT USE THE BUCKLE UNTIL A REPLACEMENT WAS ORDERED. THE EASIEST WAY TO VISUALLY SEE THE DEFECT IS TO LOOK AT THE BUCKLE AND IF THE RED DEPRESS BUTTON RAISES ABOVE THE EXTERIOR PLASTIC IT IS CONSIDERED FAULTY AND SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE ATTACHED ONE NORMAL PHOTO AND A FAULTY PHOTO. | Crash: No Fire: No | 35,000 |
| Aug 2019 | SERVICE BRAKES | WHEN EXITING A DRIVEWAY INTO TRAFFIC, IF THERE IS A DECLINE OR HILL, THE AUTOMATIC BREAKING CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW IN 2 DIFFERENT PLACES. THE SENSORS START BEEPING AND THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WHERE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR BACK IN GEAR AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I LET THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT VW IN DEVON KNOW AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS. | Crash: No Fire: No | 12,000 |
| Aug 2019 | SERVICE BRAKES | MY 2018 VW ATLAS BRAKE SENSORS THAT ACTIVATE WHEN THEY SEE SOMETHING THAT MAY CAUSE A CRASH SLAMMING THE BRAKES ON. THAT WOULD BE GOOD IF IT WAS REASONABLE BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THE BRAKES SLAM ON JUST DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY!! I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VW AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN THE DESIGN SETTINGS. IT ALWAYS DOES IT WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT SO WHEN PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY IT IS A CRAP SHOOT WHETHER IT WILL ACTIVATE THE BRAKES OR NOT, AND IT IS GOING TO CAUSE A ACCIDENT BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN OR WHERE IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I WROTE A COMPLAINT AT CAR COMPLAINTS.COM AND I SAW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WORRY ABOUT THE SNOW AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IT IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION PLEASE HELP WITH GETTING VW TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,758 |
| Aug 2019 | SERVICE BRAKES | HI MY WIFE DRIVES A 2018 ATLAS AS OUR FAMILY CAR. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING HAS SUDDENLY ENGAGED WHEN THERE WERE NO CARS NEAR THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE PARKING ON FLAT SURFACES IN AN EMPTY LOT, PARKING IN EMPTY LOT ON A VERY SLIGHTLY INCLINE, AND WHILE CRUISING WITHIN A HIGHWAY LANE WITHOUT A CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OR BEHIND US. UNPREDICTABLE UNCONTROLLED SUDDEN BRAKING IS DANGEROUS AND CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE COLLISIONS. THE ATLAS IS A VEHICLE WHICH IS COMMONLY USED TO TRANSPORT FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN. I HOPE A NHTSA RECALL CAN BE ISSUED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. | Crash: No Fire: No | 7,000 |
| Jul 2019 | SERVICE BRAKES | AS I WAS GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION THE CAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING TURNED ON AND CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ALMOST T-BONED BY ANOTHER CAR. THERE ARE NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME. CLEAR DAY. 85 DEGREES. 9 AM. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | 10,153 |
| Jun 2019 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES | ON MONDAY 6/10/2019 AT 18:10, I WAS DRIVING WEST ON CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 91 IN RIVERSIDE CALIFORNIA. I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH MY WIFE, THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL, GOING 65 MPH. THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME, I WAS DRIVING IN THE SECOND LANE FROM THE RIGHT. MY CAR APPROACHED AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK AND IT WAS PASSING THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS ON THE RIGHT LANE, MY CAR APPROACHED ON THE NEXT LANE TO THE LEFT. THE CAR WAS STILL ON CRUISE CONTROL AND I WAS STILL ON THE PHONE WITH MY WIFE. AS THE CAR WAS PASSING THE TRUCK, THE VW ATLAS EXECUTES AN EMERGENCY BRAKE AS IF SOMETHING WAS IN MY WAY. THE CAR GAVE NO WARNINGS BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD. | Crash: No Fire: No | 33,000 |
| Jun 2019 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SAW FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO VILLAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF CHATTANOOGA (6001 INTERNATIONAL DR, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421, (423) 855-4981) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE CAUSED THE DAMAGE; THEREFORE, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A VALID WARRANTY IN EFFECT SINCE THERE WAS CURRENTLY ONLY 14,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IN 2018, THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE FUEL TANK LEAKING EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,000 |
| Jun 2019 | SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | PURCHASED THE ATLAS BRAND NEW. 2000 MILES IN STARTED TO HEAR LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR LIKE THE STRUTS WERE GOING BAD, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY STATED MY DUST BOOT COVER WAS STUCK AND JUST NEEDED TO BE GREASED. 1000-2000 MORE MILES LATER SAME NOISE CAME BACK TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE NOISE IT IS ESPECIALLY LOUD WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. I MADE SHOP MANAGER RIDE WITH ME AND HE HEARD THE NOISE. HE REPLACED A STRUT MOUNT AND DUST COVER. 2500 MORE MILES LATER AND THE NOISE IS BACK. BOOT COVER IS STUCK AGAIN. DEALERSHIP FIXED IT AGAIN CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR THE NOISE AGAIN. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO VW NO RESPONSE YET. THIS IS THE 4TH RENTAL CAR I HAVE HAD DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. ON THE THIRD GO AROUND THEY TOLD ME THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND I DIDN'T EVEN GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND HEARD THE NOISE. TURNED RIGHT AROUND AND TOOK IT BACK. THEY GAVE MY RENTAL CAR BACK AND HAD MY CAR FOR A WEEK. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,000 |
| Jun 2019 | AIR BAGS | AIR BAG ERROR INDICATOR KEEPS GOING OFF AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG CONSTANTLY TURNS OFF AND ON WHEN A FRONT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 36,225 |
| Jun 2019 | ENGINE | FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL PRESSURE PIPE LEAKING FUEL. SMELLED FUEL WHEN WALKING PAST VEHICLE ON 8 MAY 2019 WHEN STATIONARY AND NOT RUNNING. FUEL WAS VISIBLE ON TOP OF ENGINE BELOW PIPE.. WAS RETURNED BY DEALER ON 17 MAY19 AFTER THEY ACKNOWLEDGED LEAK AND RESET SEALS. ON 9 JUN 2019, SMELL OF FUEL WAS DETECTED WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. FUEL VISIBLE ON TOP OF ENGINE BELOW PRESSURE PIPE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND HAD AGAIN BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 31,833 |
| Jun 2019 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE THE CAR TURNS OFF DUE TO THE CARS ON/OFF FEATURE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I HAD TO PUT THE ATLAS IN PARK AND REST SET TO TURN IT ON. IT WILL NOT TURN BACK ON UNTIL AFTER A FEW TRIES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT TIMES NOW. I NOW DRIVE WITH THAT FEATURE TURNED OFF UNTIL VW CAN FIX THIS GLITCH. VERY UNSAFE WHILE SITTING TRAFFIC AND CAR IS STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. | Crash: No Fire: No | 11,000 |
| May 2019 | STEERING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE 3,000 MILES. CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE. DEALERSHIP FIXED IT ON THE 3RD TRY AFTER GETTING VW INVOLVED. IT WAS A FAULTY GAS TANK, LEAKING FUEL INTO THE LINES. THEY REPLACED THE TANK AND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. LANE ASSIST FEATURE SEVERELY MALFUNCTIONS SINCE DAY 1 OF OWNING THIS CAR. NEARLY EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT, THE VEHICLE STEERS ITSELF INTO MEDIANS, INTO CURVES OR INTERSECTIONS, INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, ALWAYS WHILE I'M ACTIVELY DRIVING STRAIGHT. I CONTACTED VW; THEY RECOMMENDED HAVING THE SYSTEM INSPECTED. DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH IT, STATING IT WAS JUST A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. I WILL NOT JUST TURN THAT FEATURE OFF WHEN I'M PAYING FOR IT. I ASKED VW TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, AS IT HAS INCREASINGLY BECOME MORE DANGEROUS FOR MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. THEY DENIED MY REQUEST. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IN HOPES OF GETTING A MORE SENSIBLE OUTCOME, BUT VW HAS ONLY OFFERED TO SETTLE MY CONCERNS FOR $2,500, WHICH IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. | Crash: No Fire: No | 9,900 |
| May 2019 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC. THE AUTO START-STOP ACTIVATED, AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS STOPPED. TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING AGAIN SO I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, WHICH IS TYPICALLY WHEN THE ENGINE RESTARTS, BUT THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY SILENT AND THE CAR WAS DEAD. I TRIED RESTARTING IT TO NO AVAIL. I HAD THIS SAME ISSUE TWO MONTHS AGO, AND VOLKSWAGEN REPLACED THE BATTERY. AFTER THE CAR DIED, I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE SAYING THE BATTERY WAS LOW AND I SHOULD DRIVE TO RECHARGE IT, HOWEVER AT THAT POINT THE BATTERY WAS TOO DEAD TO DRIVE. I REALLY WISH THIS ERROR MESSAGE WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP BEFORE THE CAR DIED. WHY DID THE AUTO START-STOP ACTIVATE IF THE BATTERY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH JUICE TO ACTIVATE THE ENGINE?? TWO DIFFERENT BATTERIES, SAME ISSUE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 23,000 |
| May 2019 | SERVICE BRAKES | AS I'M DRIVING AND TAP MY BREAKS, MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND THE DEALER TELLS ME MY FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED. I'VE ONLY DRIVEN 20,000 MILES AND I'VE GOT TO REPLACE THE ROTORS? THEY TELL ME I'VE GOT TO PAY AND IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY, I CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME. ITS A LOW MILEAGE SUV WITH ROTOR ISSUES, THAT TELLS ME VW USES LOW QUALITY PRODUCTS AND WON'T STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. | Crash: No Fire: No | 19,480 |
| Apr 2019 | SERVICE BRAKES | EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY PREVIOUS RECALLS I HAVE JUST HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PETAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING LESS THAN 5 MPH. ACTIVE START STOP SYSTEM (FUEL EFFICIENCY) WAS ENGAGED BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WAS ACTIVE. VEHICLE WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC HEADED DOWNHILL. I WAS EXITING A PARKING GARAGE ON A CITY STREET. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2019 | SERVICE BRAKES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN AND HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH FULL FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEFTIN WESTLAKE VOLKSWAGEN (3550 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362) ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE THEY REPLACED THE LOW PRESSURE SENSOR FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE VACUUM HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,039. | Crash: No Fire: No | 13,039 |
| Apr 2019 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK COOLANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEGEND VOLKSWAGEN (SIDE A, 158 MERRICK RD, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND ADDED COOLANT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT SMELLED COOLANT OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS REGARDING THE COOLANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT ODOR BECAME WORSE OVER TIME AND COULD BE SMELLED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,672. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,672 |
| Apr 2019 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | BATTERY DIES WITH SHORT IDLE. WAITED LESS THAN 10 MINUTES FOR MY HUSBAND AND WARNING CAME ON TO DRIVE THE CAR TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON. ENGINE HAD MANUALLY SHUT OFF SO I WENT TO RESTART AND BATTERY WOULD NOT TURN ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 10,000 |
| Apr 2019 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SWEET AND MUSTY ODOR EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED HEADACHES AND NAUSEA DUE TO THE ODOR. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WINN VOLKSWAGEN (39695 BALENTINE DR, NEWARK, CA 94560, (510) 344-2013) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK AND AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 190150480. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT REQUESTED A BUYBACK OF THE VEHCILE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,300. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 3 Towed | 7,300 |
| Apr 2019 | STRUCTURE | DRIVER SIDE B PILLAR RATTLE TAPPING. VISIBLE WELD GAP BETWEEN BODY AND SHEET METAL. THE WELD WAS NOT PROPERLY DONE. TAPPING NOISE IS NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROADS OR WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED AGAINST THE B PILLAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,500 |
| Apr 2019 | SERVICE BRAKES | WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY I WAS EXITING A SHOPPING PLAZA ON A CITY STREET AND TURNED RIGHT AND MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. MANY CARS WERE COMING AND HAD TO SLAM ON THEIR BREAKS THANKFULLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE MANEUVER BREAKING SENSORS. I DRIVE AND CONSTANTLY HEAR BEEP BEEP BEEP FROM THEM SENSING SOMETHING, WHEN IN FACT NOTHING IS EVEN NEAR MY CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW. PLEASE DO A RECALL ASAP TO FIX THIS. | Crash: No Fire: No | 100 |
| Apr 2019 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | BATTERY DIED OUT OF NOWHERE. NOW CAR RADIO IS TURNING ON BY ITSELF WHEN CAR IS OFF. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY AFTER ABOUT ONE MINUTE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 27,121 |
| Mar 2019 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | THE PASSENGER SIDE'S HEADLIGHT SUDDENLY SHATTERED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY, ON A PAVED ROAD. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLE AROUND OR AHEAD OF ME WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 12,000 |
| Mar 2019 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THE ANTI-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING OUT OF DRIVEWAYS OR STORES WITH A DIP IN THE ROAD. THE SYSTEM IDENTIFIES THE ROAD AS A CAR OR OBSTACLE IN THE WAY AND HARD BRAKES THE VEHICLE LEAVING IS STANDING UNABLE TO MOVE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,000 |