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
2018 Volkswagen Atlas Complaints
452 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, grouped by component category.
452 Total complaints
5 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
12 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
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.
Severity flags
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 clue
Mileage is available on 218 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 23,186 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to air bags, electrical system, engine?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas complaints?
5 Crash
0 Fire
12 Injury
0 Fatality
11 Towed
2 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Atlas complaint categories?
AIR BAGS 78
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 42
ENGINE 41
SERVICE BRAKES 40
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 32
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 11
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11
SEATS 11
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10
STEERING 9
452 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | AIR BAGS | Recall fix not provided in a reasonable time, resulting in mobility and financial hardship for owner - inability to sell vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15-20 MPH and approaching a stop, while decelerating, the vehicle inadvertently shut off. The START/STOP feature became inoperable. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle rolled into an intersection. While her husband was driving, the START/STOP feature became inoperable. The contact stated that the “START/STOP System/Restart Manually” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who drove the vehicle for approximately four miles but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 80,000 |
| Jul 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | AIR BAGS | There is no fix for what is a very important safety feature in the passenger side of the vehicle | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | My 2018 Volkswagen Atlas has a defect that has impaired my ability to use the vehicle as intended. It is not only unsafe but I am in fear of driving freeways because I do not know when my car will cut off. Manufactures were fully aware of their defective products. I have read forums pertaining to the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas engine sputtering (Causes and Diagnosis). It states that the causes could be a bad fuel system, ignition system,MAF sensor, or bad converter. I have owned my vehicle for over a year and a half. During this time my vehicle has repeatedly started sputtering, deccelerated and turned off. It has happened 3 times and I do not feel safe. Have taken to dealership only to be told nothing was wrong with car. On October 18, 2022 Volkswagen Group of America recalled 74,067 SUV'S due to Engine Failure that could result in stall, increasing risks of crash. Troublesome connecting rod bearings that potentially lead to oil leaks and fire. Volkswagen has recalled 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport.This is a Manufacturer's defect. The defect did not start in 2022-2023 models the problem occured in 2017 when the Volkswagen Atlas was launched as a one of the most innovative technical platforms in automotive industry. I understand that the Federal law requires safety recalls repairs to be provided up to 15 years because safety recalls do not expire. NHTS I am requesting that safety recalls be performed on 2018 Volkswagen Atlas because the same problems exit. I am requesting that Volkswagen Group of America stand behind their products, take ownership of the necessary repairs to keep consumers safe from harms way. I thought there was nothing more terrifying than being buried alive until I drove up and down the streets of San Francisco in a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The fear of not knowing when your car will start sputtering and decelerating causing you to plunge to your death is the most terrifying experience that I have just indured in my life. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Our 2018 VW Atlas will randomly shut the engine off even with auto start/shut off disabled. This has happened 5 times in 3 months. It has done so on the highway and on main streets putting our family of 6 at risk of being in an auto crash every time. The brakes have automatically came on 2 times. Forward collision sensors come on with nothing in front of us which also puts the breaks on and makes a distracting loud beep which has made me jump out of surprise while driving. The EPA rated fuel economy is 26 highway and 22 city. We drive both and rarely get above 16 combined MPG even with multiple drivers and making an attempt at getting better economy. Our Atlas also makes a loud “clunk” sound from the undercarriage in the center/rear of the vehicle. It does this while driving or while parked with the vehicle idling. Also not major but sometimes when the front passenger window is half down, if you push the button to roll it up, it goes all the way down. We are going to take it in to VW soon but there is a lot wrong that either make driving it a hazard to ourselves and other drivers and makes us feel very uncomfortable. We love it but we are also afraid of it. There is currently no open recalls. I’ve been a mechanic, a machinist and an engineer for nearly 20 years. Some stuff just doesn’t make sense. I read the crank and cam pulses, usually you’d expect a drop in pulse that could cause the engine to shut down but there’s nothing. Nothing on the scan tool or on the onboard vehicle diagnostic. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | I would be driving under 30mph and would get a warning on my dashboard that would say "Brake Booster Faulty", in addition the "Brake" light would illuminate and my brakes would become spongy and harder to engage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | AIR BAGS | How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? We utilize all seats in our Volkswagen Atlas since we have a large family. We are being told that we no longer should allow a front passenger to sit in the passenger seat due to the airbag no longer deploying. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. We called VW Dealership in Melbourne, Florida on 6/28 and they confirmed that the vehicle had a recall on the airbag. No one has been injured but this poses a significant safety risk to our family. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Recall requested on VW Atlas 2017 with statement not to use front seat, but we only have 1 car. How are we to proceed as a family? Recall remedy stated as not being available. Manufacturer Recall Number69FB NHTSA Recall Number23V215 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When braking normally, the AEB alert tone sounded, and the display showed a red BRAKE warning with "Brake Booster Failure" displayed on-screen. The brakes then became extremely sensitive and caused the car to abruptly grind to a stop with full ABS action. This occurred in traffic, and the car behind me narrowly avoided a collision due to the uncommanded abrupt halt. I pulled over and the error cleared itself after a few seconds. I pulled the diagnostic error codes from the ECU, and this is the output: 0213 [0x0000D5] Archive (inactive) C10A329: Vacuum sensor, Implausible signal Single Vacuum Pressure Sensor sends no valid data Status bits: 1 Priority: 1 Frequency: 1 Unlearning index: 84 Odometer: 27031 km Date, time: 2023.03.27 09:34:50 Paramteric values: 00 00 80 18 32 00 00 00 CF 47 00 00 02 FF 00 5E 02 40 B0 00 00 00 10 Status: Confirmed (This is from a previous activation, but the recent one is the same). This is the third time this has happened, but the first to put me in actual danger of a crash. I have previously brought this to the dealer but no fix was applied. They were aware of this happening on other vehicles but they did not have a fix. The model year after was recalled due to wiring issues, but my car has never been recalled for anything related. I believe this is a significant safety issue and should be addressed by the manufacturer before it causes a serious incident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS | The Passenger Air Bag light comes on at random times, even when sitting in seat. It says the airbag detection system may be faulty and the airbag may not deploy when needed. There is a recall for some Volkswagen's but not mine. This light has been coming on for 2 years and it sounds like the recall but since my VIN number is not in the recall, I cannot get it fixed. I believe this may be the same problem as can be life threatening in an accident or another time. I would like Volkswagen to check and fix this under the recall that was made in 4/2023. Please help if you can. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall repair and no further assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES | Brake booster fault warning, brakes want to lock up. Rear seat belt buckles won’t allow belt buckle to insert. Have received brake booster fault several times recently. If I stop motor and restart warning goes away and brakes function correctly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to stop and shift to park (P) and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine and another unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 48,000 |
| May 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while reversing, the backup camera became inoperable. During the failure, the message "Park Pilot Inoperable" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 80,000 |
| Apr 2023 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION | Vehicle would indicate normal assistance features were no longer available. Then after sitting for the evening and trying to start in the morning the car would not turn over. Could recharge the battery and turn over no issues. Again after sitting for a little while the car battery would be dead again and not want to turn over. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |