2018 Volkswagen Atlas Review

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

Recall Number: 

23V215000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

69FB

Number of vehicles affected: 

143053

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners will receive a second notice once the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.

Equipment:other:labels

Recall Number: 

22V086000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

09D9

Number of vehicles affected: 

3648

Defect Description: 

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."

Defect Consequence: 

Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Unknown or other

Recall Number: 

21V321000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

01F1

Number of vehicles affected: 

46

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Tires:sidewall

Recall Number: 

21V142000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

44R1

Number of vehicles affected: 

2535

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 4, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44R1.

Unknown or other

Recall Number: 

20V561000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

01E9

Number of vehicles affected: 

23

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Air bags

Recall Number: 

20V057000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

69AL

Number of vehicles affected: 

7

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

In the event of a crash necessitating frontal air bag deployment, a delayed or disabled airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Exterior lighting:headlights

Recall Number: 

19V389000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

94L9

Manufactured from: 

2010-12-23 to 2015-10-02

Number of vehicles affected: 

662185

Defect Description: 

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."

Defect Consequence: 

Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Suspension:rear:springs:coil springs

Recall Number: 

18V904000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

42J2/42J3

Manufactured from: 

2018-05-14 to 2018-10-26

Number of vehicles affected: 

6322

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Electrical system: instrument panel

Recall Number: 

18V824000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

90L3 / 90L

Manufactured from: 

2016-12-22 to 2018-11-10

Number of vehicles affected: 

73545

Defect Description: 

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."

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.

Air bags: air bag control module

Recall Number: 

18V537000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

87F9

Manufactured from: 

2016-11-17 to 2017-08-18

Number of vehicles affected: 

9685

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

The wet air bag control module may result in an unintentional deployment of the air bags, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

Recall Number: 

18V536000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

46H6

Manufactured from: 

2016-10-26 to 2018-06-12

Number of vehicles affected: 

8416

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Seat belts: rear:buckle assembly

Recall Number: 

18V380000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

69X1

Manufactured from: 

2016-11-17 to 2018-06-14

Number of vehicles affected: 

54537

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

A damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Air bags:passenger side frontal

Recall Number: 

18V375000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

69W8 69W9

Manufactured from: 

2018-03-10 to 2018-05-19

Number of vehicles affected: 

821

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

Recall Number: 

18V369000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

47N8, 47N9

Manufactured from: 

2018-03-20 to 2018-05-12

Number of vehicles affected: 

10206

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will inspect the brake system and as necessary, bleed the front brakes (Atlas models only) or bleed the rear brakes (all other Volkswagen models). 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.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

Recall Number: 

18V284000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

20AW

Manufactured from: 

2017-04-27 to 2017-06-20

Number of vehicles affected: 

278

Defect Description: 

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."

Defect Consequence: 

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage

Recall Number: 

17V766000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

20AQ

Manufactured from: 

2017-05-16 to 2017-06-10

Number of vehicles affected: 

58

Defect Description: 

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."

Defect Consequence: 

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Corrective Action: 

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.