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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2022 | AIR BAGS | Airbag error light | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The stated while his wife was driving during heavy rain conditions, the front driver’s side windshield wiper failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was pending to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 55,000 |
| Aug 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | We are RANDOMLY having our brake light come on, followed by an alarm and a “BRAKE BOOST FAULTY “ warning on out dash. While this is going on…the brakes will start “pumping” a few times with just a light touch of the brakes. This is starting to happen every day or two. The warning lasts about 30-45 seconds typically. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | Alarm brake booster fault goes off and the brakes are harder to use and the brake effect is reduced. Have happend daily the last week. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Water pump failure | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | The Blind Spot and Rear traffic alert keep on turning themselves off. This has been happening randomly since 2019 and the vehicle has been back to the dealer in excess of 20 times. This is a major safety issue as my wife doesn’t always realize that these systems have decided to go offline. The vehicle has been in and out of the dealer and VW technical services have been involved but is no resolution. The vehicle now has 80k miles on it but the problem first occurred at 25k miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2022 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving approxi8mately 25 -30 mph the vehicle's brakes suddenly activate causing the vehicle to suddenly stop. The contact stated a warning light stating a failure with the brakes would illuminate. The contact would be able to continue operating the vehicle as normal. The vehicle had not been taken to a certified mechanic or dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,880. | Crash: No Fire: No | 66,880 |
| Jul 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | Brake Booster faulty sensor, brakes spongy driving under 30mph happened twice now. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While I was driving the automatic braking system engaged on 3 separate occasions last night, thankfully there was no one behind me or it would have caused an accident. A warning light did appear on the dash that read faulty brake system. I am going to contact a dealer to have it looked at. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Engine stopped during on drive on highway and requiring to put in park to restart in the middle of the road. Dash board displaying “Start- Stop error “ with engine sign. So far car stopped three times while driving this time and a service is scheduled for June 17, with the dealership. Same thing happened and notified and serviced. At that time they have replaced the battery. I checked the battery in a auto shop and they told me the battery is good this time. Upon google search, noticed this is happening with other people as well. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | AIR BAGS | Inspected vehicle ac system due to foul odor. In pulling back the passenger seat footwell panel I checked for ac drain blockage around the evaporator system. Drain tube was clean/clear but there was quite a bit of puddling around the airbag module located directly under the ac system. This is a known issue with the VW Atlas but my VIN was not included in the recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | My trucks breaks has given out multiple times almost causing accidents in the middle of driving with no warning. Message on dash says faulty breaks , break failure before it quickly goes away. The abs break light comes on and the car stalls almost causing me to get rear ended. I purchased the car Oct 12,2021 car start having issues December 2021. It is extremely dangerous to drive. I took it to car max in forth myers fl when I almost hit a tractor trailer WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR ! Carmax refused to look at my vehicle or give me a rental for it being unsafe. This has happened on multiple occasions. I shouldn’t have to pay for something like this to get fixed when I was sold a faulty car from the start. I have spoke with a few Lawyers over this matter about CarMax and Voltswagon. I only have one photo I don’t have a chance to take other photos when it happens because Im to busy trying not to get hurt. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Auto Stop warning message was displayed and a loud audible beep coming from the vehicle to alert that there were vehicles ahead even though there were no vehicles ahead. Several unknown warning messages were displayed, and the vehicle then inadvertently steered to the right into oncoming traffic. The contact was able to regain control of the steering wheel however, the EPC warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence; however, the vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,500. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 59,500 |
| Apr 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | My car recently started feeling like my tires or rubbing on something when I make sharp turns. Now when I brake my car feels and sounds like it is grinding on something. It started happening while on way home from a trip a couple of days ago. While I wait for service appt the car is unsafe to drive as I need to really push on brake to ensure complete stop, it feels like the car is rubbing on metal and is very bumpy when coming to stop. Have only driven in slow speeds since returning home bc we are afraid the brakes will fail. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | ENGINE | Water pump was replaced a few months ago after VW dealer discovering cracked pump housing during routine maintenance. A few days ago a "CHECK COOLANT LEVEL" message was displayed. Immediate check underneath vehicle found no evidence of external coolant leak. However, reservoir coolant tank found to be almost empty. Visual inspection of engine compartment showed all coolant hoses to be intact, cap secure on ball style reservoir tank without evidence of leakage. No odor of coolant in or around vehicle. Research on this problem found hundreds of 2018-2019 VW Atlas owners with identical symptom description, most ended up finding evidence of coolant in engine oil (crankcase). A sample of crankcase engine oil has been sent to an independent laboratory for analysis. The General Manager and Service Manager at VW dealer have been notified of the issue and that it is a known serious problem to VW Atlas owners despite not having risen to the level of a recall. Once VW has completed diagnosis and repair, the plan is to resubmit another sample for post-repair analysis. This vehicle was purchased new from VW and we are the first and only owners. With the exception of tire service and replacement of the battery, ALL other maintenance has been performed at VW. All recommended routine services have been completed on time, by VW per manufacturer recommendations. Let me be very clear on this point: WE DO NOT PLACE ANY BLAME ON THE VW DEALER(S) THAT HAVE SERVICED THIS VEHICLE SINCE WE TOOK DELIVERY. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE THAT HAS YET TO BE ADDRESSED AND JUST WANTED TO DO OUR PART IN REPORTING FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF ALL ATLAS OWNERS. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Emergency brakes occurred without anyone or anything in front of the car. Braking malfunction warning also came on. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Random and sudden braking of the Volkswagen Atlas, with the forward anti-collision signal lit on, whereas there was absolutely no cars ahead of the Atlas. It happened twice already, first on an highway driving at 60 miles/hr and a second time in a city at about 30 miles/hr. Fortunately, there was no crash. Our Volkswagen Atlas is still under warranty and we took it to Volkswagen of Kirkland, WA, who kept the car for two weeks for evaluation and investigation. After analysis, considering it happened only twice, Volkswagen Engineering USA (corporate) directed Volkswagen of Kirkland to return the car to us with no actions, asking us to report any future instances. They provided us with 3 complaint forms --> they might be expecting 5 events or crashes before taking it seriously. Prior to the two events of sudden braking, we have had multiple instances where the anti-collision signal and sound went on for no reason, but without braking. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Took my 2018 Volkswagen Atlas which I bought around 9/1/18 to my dealership for a failing battery. My car has 17,347 miles and I routinely take my car for the appropriate service. The test report on the battery states it is "worn out". Normally Volkswagen warranties this battery for 36 months and I was over this time frame for about 4 1/2 months. I feel that based on my driving and use for this car, that the battery is defective. I just want to make your agency aware of this particular part, as it is expensive to replace. $243.00 for the battery and $132.00 labor. Total $378.24 with tax. Perhaps other people have experienced this repair for a low mileage car and in my opinion not a very old vehicle. Thank you. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | STEERING | I tried to merge to the left lane on the highway I-55 S (Chicago, IL), but the steering wheel was out of control and cannot be operated functionally all of sudden, which hit on the right side curb. There was no ice or water on the road. The weather is clear. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | While driving on Saturday, Jan 8, 2022, my Atlas started leaking fuel. It felt like it just down-shifted on its own and the gas pedal stopped working. We were simultaneously overcome by the smell of gasoline inside the car. Both the engine and EPC warning lights were on. Thankfully, I was just about to pull into my driveway when this happened, so I was able to safely stop and we exited vehicle immediately. the entire engine was smoking and fuel was pouring out of the engine onto the ground. It eventually slowed to a drip. I called my local VW dealership but it was closed so I left a message. I also filled out on online service request the next day. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ENGINE | On 2020, the engine was stopped while I was driving, and the engine no longer work. I couldn’t start my car. The mechanic engineer said that I needed to replace the engine. However, my car had same issues about engine this year again. The engine was repeatedly stopped, and I had the engine warning light again. At first, they said they had to replace the engine, and at this time, he found the issue that the left cylinder #4 valve lifter/roller rocker securing clip to be missing and has been consumed by the engine and metal debris has contaminated the engine requiring engine replacement. I was so concerned my safety because of these issues. The engine should be replaced with a new one again. I am worrying my safety seriously because the engine issues are FATAL problems. I have owned the Atlas for about 40 months, and I have engine issues repeatedly. I am sure TWO replacement of the engine was not reasonable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ENGINE | My car displayed a warning that my engine was overheating and to pull over immediately. My temperature gauge was at max HIGH and check engine light came on. Towed to dealer. Was told by VW that the secondary coolant pump had failed. It was replaced and then it happened again two days later. My car was towed back to dealer again who cleaned, drained and refilled coolant. Two days later it overheated again and my engine was making a crackling sound. I use this car to transport my three young children and I am afraid to drive it. The car is overheating after driving less than a half mile. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,SEATS | The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while, pulling out of the driveway traveling approximately 5 mph the second-row seat sprung forward, with a child utilizing a car seat. The latch was down. The occupant in the car seat struck her head on the passenger seat and medical attention was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate mileage was 17,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | 17,000 |
| Oct 2021 | ENGINE | Continually leaks coolant. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Volkswagen Dealership of Lake Charles, LA attempted to repair a safety recall on catalytic converter. When I picked my car up for the safety recall on the catalytic converter my car smelled like fuel and was leaking fuel and would not stay running and stopped running while driving in traffic and at stop lights and intersections. The dealership has had my vehicle for 3 months and still not repaired my recall correctly and I just got it back today October 4th and the problem remains unresolved. I attempted to back out into traffic and my car stopped running and there was incoming traffic. Luckily me and my 2 daughters were not hurt however this car is not safe and request the dealership fixes the safety recall correctly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |