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RECALLROADTHE CAMPAIGN RECORD

MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2018 Volkswagen Atlas recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 17 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, spanning 11 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

URGENT CAMPAIGN FLAG

NHTSA records include a Do Not Drive advisory for at least one campaign associated with 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. Open the campaign and verify the VIN before operating or parking the vehicle.

Distinct campaigns17not VIN-specific
Component groups11distinct top-level categories
Latest recordSeptember 11, 2026report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2018 Volkswagen Atlas recall campaigns

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas report contains 17 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 26V590000 dated September 11, 2026.
DO NOT DRIVE
Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Report received
June 1, 2018
Potential units
10,225campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. 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.

Owner notification: June 29, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 26V590000

Component
STEERING
Report received
September 11, 2026
Potential units
208,724campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.

Why it matters: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.

Owner notification: Date not reported · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 23V215000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
March 29, 2023
Potential units
143,053campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.

Owner notification: March 22, 2024 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 22V086000

Component
EQUIPMENT
Report received
February 16, 2022
Potential units
3,648campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.".

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

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: March 31, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 21V321000

Component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Report received
May 5, 2021
Potential units
46campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

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

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: May 20, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 21V142000

Component
TIRES
Report received
March 5, 2021
Potential units
2,535campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44R1.

Owner notification: March 24, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 20V561000

Component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Report received
September 16, 2020
Potential units
23campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

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

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: October 6, 2020 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 20V057000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
January 31, 2020
Potential units
7campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

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

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: February 21, 2020 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Report received
May 22, 2019
Potential units
662,185campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.".

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

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: July 16, 2019 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 18V904000

Component
SUSPENSION
Report received
December 19, 2018
Potential units
6,322campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: January 31, 2019 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 18V824000

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Report received
November 26, 2018
Potential units
73,549campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.".

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.

Owner notification: December 13, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 18V537000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
August 20, 2018
Potential units
9,685campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

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

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: September 14, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 18V536000

Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Report received
August 15, 2018
Potential units
8,416campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: September 13, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 18V380000

Component
SEAT BELTS
Report received
June 7, 2018
Potential units
54,729campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

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

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: June 29, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 18V375000

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
June 6, 2018
Potential units
821campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

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

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: July 19, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 18V284000

Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Report received
May 2, 2018
Potential units
278campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.".

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

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: June 22, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 17V766000

Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Report received
November 29, 2017
Potential units
58campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.".

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

Remedy

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.

Owner notification: January 10, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?

The most frequent component groups in 2018 Volkswagen Atlas campaign records are Air Bags (4), Fuel System, Gasoline (2), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2), Unknown Or Other (2), Seat Belts (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Air Bags4
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Unknown Or Other2
Seat Belts1