VehicleVerdict

2018 Volkswagen Atlas brakes problems

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas has 75 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

75

Brakes complaints

11%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Atlas brakes complaints by model year98 complaints2018: 75 complaints2019: 79 complaints2020: 4 complaints2021: 98 complaints2022: 48 complaints2023: 14 complaints2024: 35 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Atlas brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

18V536000BrakesAugust 15, 2018 · 8,416 units

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.

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.

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.

18V369000BrakesJune 1, 2018 · 10,225 units

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.

Consequence

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 report

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP ON A CITY STREET AFTER FULL APPLICATION OF BRAKES CAUSING COLLISION AND DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER . I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM WALKS WAGON THAT CERAMIC COATING ON THE BRAKES NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY BRAKE ISSUES PRIOR TO THE COLLISION .THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 1, 2018 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have?

NHTSA has 75 complaints about the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas brakes — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas brakes?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 18V369000, 18V536000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.