2018 Volkswagen Atlas brakes problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V536000Aug 15, 20188,416 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 18V369000Jun 1, 201810,225 vehiclesDo not drive
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

  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.

  Risk: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Feb 28, 2026INBrakes

   Automatic parking brake comes on every time I start my car or park. It won’t come out of parking brake. The auto parking brake will not turn off. I can get it to drive eventually but the parking brake light stays on.

   NHTSA complaint #11721103 · source
2. Filed Jan 7, 2026PABrakes

   I received a brake booster fault caution which was followed by the BRAKE warning light being illuminated. When I applied pressure to the brakes, it almost felt as if the ABS was kicking in, on a flat, dry road. The brake pedal would "jump" and depress farther on its own like there wasn't a good vacuum for the brakes. I've taken it to my local VW service center and was informed they had to call VW Corporate for assistance in a fix and was given a list of components to…

   NHTSA complaint #11709471 · source
3. Filed Jun 20, 202570,000 miPABrakes

   The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the EPC (Emergency Parking Control) warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed a tune up and that the…

   NHTSA complaint #11668085 · source
4. Filed May 8, 2025NJBrakes

   I have owned this car since 2018. I’ve had the “Brake Booster Faulty” error come on at least once a year. It’s very scary as the car just locks up. Luckily it has only happened driving locally, without anyone behind me, but this could lead to a SERIOUS accident. I have brought this to the VW dealer at least 3 times over the years and every time they say they cannot replicate or find any issues. It happened again last week, and again today. I have read that many people have…

   NHTSA complaint #11659675 · source
5. Filed Apr 26, 2025WVBrakes

   Brake booster Faulty/Brake Booster Failure light displays on the dash along with the red Brake light and a loud beeping sound. The brakes feel shaky and the vehicle doesn’t brake well for about 30 second after. It feels as if the brakes are palpating or skipping instead of a solid grip. After about 30-45 second those lights go back off and brakes resume normal breaking but the ABS light comes on. This issue has happened twice so far and random times when not braking. It…

   NHTSA complaint #11657014 · source
6. Filed Dec 12, 2024GABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Driving on a single lane road with no other cars on road (in front or behind) and car suddenly brakes to a complete stop and the crash warning sound become audible inside the car. This happened 1 other time about 1 month prior but car did not come to a complete stop that time. That incident there were other vehicles on the road but were at a fair distance away from the car and those vehicles were not braking or slowing down.

   NHTSA complaint #11630348 · source
7. Filed Sep 13, 2024GABrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   While driving my car made a loud beep sound and Faulty Brake Booster appeared on the dash and the BRAKE light came on and the brakes would not work properly. I was almost rear ended because of this.

   NHTSA complaint #11614362 · source
8. Filed Aug 13, 2024VABrakesElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   The vehicle slammed on brakes, Electronic Stabilization Control light came on, transmission went into emergency mode, check engine light came on, and many other lights. I had to jerk the car to avoid the ditch since i was in a curve on a highway. Brakes continued to kick back and would not allow me to pull to side of road even in neutral. Battery message came on and said it was not charging. I was stuck in the lane and several people had to swerve or brake hard to miss me.

   NHTSA complaint #11608148 · source
9. Filed Aug 1, 2024GABrakesEngineWheels & Tires

   Today 3 times while driving my car braked on its own, emitted a loud noise and “Brake Booster Faulty” displays along with the ABS and Brake late. It also told me to power off the car. Prior to this there were no problems however I am now worried for safety reasons.

   NHTSA complaint #11605914 · source
10. Filed Jun 13, 2024TNBrakesEngineSteering

    While driving down the road the vehicle automatically shuts off without power brakes or power steering. Must come to a complete stop put the vehicle into park and the vehicle will then restart. Has happened twice in one week.

    NHTSA complaint #11594143 · source
11. Filed Jun 1, 2024AZBrakes

    Car starts beeping loudly and a “brake booster faulty” alarm pops up on the screen. Brakes become spongy during alarm and a little after. Issue has happened multiple times and has gone to the dealer multiple times for parts replacement/work. Other VW owners have complained of the same issue happening to them.

    NHTSA complaint #11591913 · source
12. Filed Feb 5, 2024NCBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    I have experienced an alert/alarm for a "Faulty Break Booster", "Break System Failure", as well as other Break related alarms go off while driving. Multiple times I have been going over 40 mph and the vehicle has instantly breaked and came to a stop on it's own. I have taken my vehicle to the dealer and was advised there is no issue. This issue seems to happen randomly as I have been unable to recognize any similarities between conditions and frequency.

    NHTSA complaint #11570008 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology