The Lemon Index2018 Volkswagen Atlas.
The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 232 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 264, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 17 recalls, and it gets 19 to 24 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Atlas year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 466 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Volkswagen Atlas year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 31K miles on the car (219 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 10K–30K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 7K–34K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 10K–72K miles
Recalls 17
- steering 2026
One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break.
- airbags 2023
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.
- equipment 2022
The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed.
Show all 17 recalls
- unknown or other 2021
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.
- tires 2021
On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
- unknown or other 2020
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.
- airbags 2020
The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrectly manufactured air bag sensor, which can delay or disable air bag deployment when necessary.
- lights 2019
The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed.
- suspension 2018
The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
- electrical 2018
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.
- airbags 2018
During production, the air conditioning system drain tube may have been twisted, causing water to drain into the air bag control module.
- brakes 2018
The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
- seat belts 2018
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.
- airbags 2018
In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment.
- brakes 2018
The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The fuel tank on these vehicles may leak fuel due to a manufacturing error.
- fuel system, gasoline 2017
The fuel tank may have been manufactured with insufficient wall thickness, potentially resulting in the tank leaking fuel.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 821 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Standard Maintenance Section: Moved: "Exterior Lighting" from Extended Maintenance Section
- Standard Maintenance Section: Added "boots" to "Engine and engine compartment components:…
- Water leaks from the sunroof/overhead light console area, Park distance to sensitive to…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedInadvertent automatic emergency braking2023–2024
- ClosedFuel injector leak2021–2022
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Atlas SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The battery keeps dying. I believe it's because the start/stop system is too much for the battery. The battery dies if we stop the car and idle for more than 2-3 minutes, with the infotainment system running.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas owner · NHTSA complaint 11172675
More owner reports
Intermittent stalls, sometimes in traffic or at busy intersection during normal operation and caused by discharged battery and/or poor battery charging
NHTSA complaint 11165544
The vehicle will not start if it is really cold or it has been sitting for days without being started. I am taking it in to the dealership today.
NHTSA complaint 11170595
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 264; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Atlas year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Atlas problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (31%), engine (22%) and brakes (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have?
17 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas get?
19 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Volkswagen Atlas problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,500 and 31,000 miles. The middle report was at 15,700 miles, from 219 complaints.
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Volkswagen Atlas year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2022 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works