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Transport Canada + NRCan

2018 Volkswagen Atlas

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

14

14 current

Combined

10L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$2,519

16,249 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs are almost always free. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number. Transport Canada’s own wording is that a manufacturer “will almost always make these repairs free of charge”, so being asked to pay for recall work is unusual and worth questioning. Since 2018 the Minister of Transport can order a company to pay for repairs so owners do not bear the cost.

Steering

Transport Canada recall 2026439 · manufacturer campaign 48VT & 48LG

11 September 2026

Transport Canada lists: Q3 2019–2021 · Atlas 2018 · Tiguan 2018

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, one of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe could corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing could break and cause a loss of steering control.

Why it matters

A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the right steering rack mounting bolt.

44,303 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2023183 · manufacturer campaign 69FB

29 March 2023

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018–2019

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction. This could cause the airbag system to turn off the passenger-front airbag even when a passenger is seated. Note: This problem would cause an error message to display on the instrument panel and a warning chime to sound. The airbag indicator light would also display "passenger airbag off".

Why it matters

An airbag that is turned off could increase the risk of injury to a passenger in a crash.

What the dealer will do

Volkswagen will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the PODS sensor mat and seat harness. Volkswagen advises that you shouldn't use the front passenger seat until the recall repairs are completed.

18,235 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Tires

Transport Canada recall 2021116 · manufacturer campaign 44R1

5 March 2021

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018–2019

What is wrong

Certain vehicles were built with tires that may have been cured too long. As a result, the sidewall could crack or the tread and belts could separate. This could lead to a sudden loss of air pressure and could cause a tire failure. Note: This recall only affects certain Continental tires, with specific date codes and mold numbers.

Why it matters

A tire failure could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

Volkswagen will notify the owners by mail and instruct them to take the vehicle to a dealer to inspect and replace the tires, if necessary.

324 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Label

Transport Canada recall 2020353 · manufacturer campaign 97EM 97EK 97EL

4 August 2020

Transport Canada lists: A3 2010–2013, 2015 · Atlas 2018–2019 · Beetle 2013–2015 · Golf 2010–2019 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the warning label for the engine block heater cable is written in English only. As a result, a French user may not receive important safety information about how to use the engine block heater. A label that is not provided in both official languages could create confusion.

Why it matters

User confusion could increase the risk of injury when trying to use the block heater.

What the dealer will do

The company will mail each owner a new label for the block heater cable. If you would like help installing the label, you can contact a dealer for assistance.

132,432 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Lights And Instruments

Transport Canada recall 2019242 · manufacturer campaign 94L9

23 May 2019

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018–2019 · Passat 2012–2018

What is wrong

Certain vehicles were built with headlights that may allow horizontal adjustment. This is not allowed under Canadian regulations.

Why it matters

Headlights that are not properly adjusted could cause reduced visibility or glare for oncoming drivers, and could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the headlights. A blocking cap will be installed on the horizontal adjusters as necessary.

51,987 vehicles affected in CanadaCarCompliance Mfr

Suspension

Transport Canada recall 2018717 · manufacturer campaign 42J2 / 42J3

19 December 2018

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018 · Golf 2015 · Jetta 2019

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the rear suspension coil springs may not have been properly manufactured and could break over time. This could result in damage to a rear tire, resulting in rapid air loss and/or tire failure, which could affect vehicle control. Additionally, a broken coil spring could create a road hazard for other motorists. Both of these conditions may increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace both of the rear axle coil springs. If a broken coil spring is found, the rear tires should be inspected for damage and replaced as required.

1,755 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Lights And Instruments

Transport Canada recall 2018644 · manufacturer campaign 90L3 / 90L4

21 November 2018

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018–2019 · Jetta 2019 · Tiguan 2018–2019

What is wrong

Certain vehicles do not to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 114 - Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention. Due to incorrect programming, the vehicle may fail to provide an audible warning when a driver opens their door after turning off the ignition, and the key is left in the ignition switch. This could increase the risk of vehicle theft.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster.

15,853 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2018431 · manufacturer campaign 87F9

16 August 2018

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, a drain tube for the air conditioner may be twisted and could drain water inside the passenger compartment onto the airbag control module. This could cause the airbag control module to malfunction, potentially causing a sudden airbag deployment without a crash, increasing the risk of injury to occupants and potentially leading to a crash.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect the HVAC drain tube and, if found twisted, the hose and airbag control module will be replaced.

1,094 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2018429 · manufacturer campaign 46H6

15 August 2018

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018 · Passat 2018

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the brake caliper bracket bolts may not be properly tightened and could loosen, allowing the caliper to move. This could cause increased stopping distances, result in wheel damage and/or cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect the vehicles and, if a loose bolt is found, the bolt will be replaced and tightened to the correct specification. Note: On Atlas models, only the front brake caliper bracket bolts are affected, and on Passat models, only the rear brake caliper bracket bolts are affected.

774 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 2018330 · manufacturer campaign 69X1

15 June 2018

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, if a child restraint with a larger than recommended base is installed in the centre position of the second row bench seat, it may damage both the centre and adjacent outboard seat belt buckles. In the event of a crash, a damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect the centre and left (outboard) second row seat belt buckles, and replace as necessary. Additionally Volkswagen will provide an owner's manual supplement addressing child safety and child restraints.

9,396 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2018296 · manufacturer campaign 69W8 / 69W9

6 June 2018

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018 · Tiguan 2018

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag may not unfold properly or could tear during deployment, which would increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag.

902 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2018292 · manufacturer campaign 47N8 / 47N9 / 47N6

1 June 2018

Transport Canada lists: Q5 2018 · SQ5 2018 · Atlas 2018 · Beetle 2018 · and 3 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, a problem with the brake system may cause gas bubbles to form in the brake fluid. This could cause a soft brake pedal feel and a reduction in brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will bleed the front or rear brakes as necessary. Note: In the interim, owners are advised to stop driving their vehicle until the defect has been repaired. Affected owners should call Volkswagen's Roadside Assistance number at 1-800-411-6688.

5,120 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Fuel System

Transport Canada recall 2018227 · manufacturer campaign 20AW

2 May 2018

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the thickness of fuel tank walls may not be adequate due to an issue in the manufacturing process. This could result in fuel leaking from the tank, which in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the fuel tank. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2017-586.

293 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Fuel System

Transport Canada recall 2017586 · manufacturer campaign 20AQ

29 November 2017

Transport Canada lists: Atlas 2018

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the thickness of fuel tank walls may not be adequate due to an issue during the manufacturing process. This could result in fuel leaking from the tank, which in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the fuel tank.

18 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Sport utility vehicle: Small
In its class
More efficient than 45% of 180 2018 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
233 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 14 recalls on record for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. Recall repairs are almost always free at a manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas get?
NRCan rates the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas at 10 L/100 km combined, emitting 233 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 2 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas for a year?
At 16,249 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $2,519 in fuel, producing roughly 3,754 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 17 September 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. These are average residential rates. A car’s charging is added on top of what your home already uses, so on a tiered, time-of-use or subsidised tariff it is billed at your top rate rather than this average — which makes the real cost higher, especially in the territories. Enter your own rate for an accurate figure. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.