2018 Volkswagen Atlas fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V284000May 2, 2018278 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

  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."

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 17V766000Nov 29, 201758 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

  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."

  Risk: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 24, 2026OKFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Fuel line leak due to the angle the manufacturer line is coming out of the fuel tank. Rubbing on the line caused a wear on the line, gas leak and has to be repaired and rerouted by mechanic to keep this from happening again. Very unsafe condition due to fumes and risk of fire. No warning lights just a very strong fuel smell and fuel leaking from under the vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint #11759117 · source
2. Filed Aug 19, 2026OHFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Fuel gauge suddenly changes its reading, sometimes dropping to a zero level indication while driving! The readings frequently change up and down, so if the previous reading before a drop to completely empty is incorrect, this could be a serious safety risk to suddenly find out the tank is very near empty. Volkswagen has a TSB about this, but are requiring expensive diagnostic and repair fees, over $1200. The TSB indicates the car model gas had frequent issues with a faulty…

   NHTSA complaint #11757921 · source
3. Filed Jul 13, 2026FLBody & StructureFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Several times before I got the car stalled in the car wash which I thought that could no be important however yesterday Sunday 12, driving on I4 by Tampa bay in Florida when traffic was stocked and slow suddenly the car went off, so I geared neutral and started again. Then happened twice in total three times.

   NHTSA complaint #11750086 · source
4. Filed Dec 8, 2025CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Gas tank melted on top of the tank next to drive shaft and a hole was leaking gas- we are keeping the tank that was removed for investigation. Extreme safety issue that put my daughter and granddaughters at risk of fire/explosion when it was unknown that there was a gas leak while driving. The part was inspected by a repair shop in Lake Havasu AZ as well as the Capistrano Volkswagen, CA dealership and no explanation of the cause. Since the vehicle is out of warranty the…

   NHTSA complaint #11703840 · source
5. Filed Nov 6, 2025SCElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   While driving, the vehicle suddenly loses engine power and shuts off without warning. This has happened multiple times and creates a serious safety hazard because it happen in traffic multiple times . The problem appears to be related to the fuel pump control module and/or electrical wiring failure. Additionally, the power windows stopped functioning due to a failure in the driver door wiring harness, which is a known issue on this vehicle model year. The electrical…

   NHTSA complaint #11697983 · source
6. Filed Aug 11, 2025LAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   This is a common issue with this car that is dangerous. The Evap Purge High Flow Control goes out and makes the vehicle stall randomly.

   NHTSA complaint #11679766 · source
7. Filed Jul 29, 2025FLEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I have had this vehicle since 2020. Two months after I bought it, the vehicle would turn off at random. I took it to VW and they change the carbon air canister. It stopped for a while but now it back. When stopping the car randomly shits off. Not auto energy saving off. Restart your engine in 5:30PM traffic type of restart your engine. Slowing down, shut off. Backing up, shut off. I have a 2019 Atlas as well and the same thing happens. This is extremely dangerous and unsafe.…

   NHTSA complaint #11677052 · source
8. Filed Jul 16, 2025ALFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   while operating the vehicle felt a jerk and then the check engine, oil, and EPC warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated and lost power on the highway, we were able to coast to the nearest parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the high pressure fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired But was said the 2018 atlas had a known fuel tank issue which caused all the gas to…

   NHTSA complaint #11673854 · source
9. Filed Apr 8, 2025TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The fuel tank system keeps failing. It will not show how much gas is in the car even after filling up. It is a risk because the fuel could run out in the middle of driving and leave the driver in an accident or stranded. The car stalls randomly when the fuel tank system error is on and it is very scary.

   NHTSA complaint #11653353 · source
10. Filed Feb 24, 2025FLEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    I was driving on the highway with my family in stop and go traffic when my car turned off on its own while still in Drive. The car has an "Auto On/Off" feature that we had disabled so it should not have, for any reason, done this. We had a semi-truck behind us that nearly rearended us. After putting the car in park, in the middle of the highway, and restarting the engine the car turned off again less than 10 minutes later. This car has a brand-new battery and purge control…

    NHTSA complaint #11644452 · source
11. Filed Jan 17, 2025TXElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Purchased Car with 17,000 miles on it. At 35,400 miles I had an electrical issue, cars was driving slow and jerking, sputtering while on the highway. the EMP ? light came on. I brought to the Clear Lake Volkswagen and they had to change our alot of the electronic system. I drove my car for about 9 months and my battery that was brand new died. There was a something with the electronic system. All along since I have owned the car, it would randomly stall when I would come to…

    NHTSA complaint #11636569 · source
12. Filed Aug 23, 202494,000 miALTowedFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine, oil, and EPC warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated and failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11610497 · 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