There are 12 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlasin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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 VW.com and the dealership refused to replace without full charge. Insurance claim has been filed. There were no warning lamps messages or other symptoms of the failure. About 45 miles prior to gas leak detection, while fueling, the reverse pressure shutoff did not work, and a significant amount of gas was released at the station. No indication of a leak from the gas tank until the car stopped, then significant release onto the ground was observed.
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.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being repaired under recall, the contact was informed that the fuel tank had collapsed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer and the contact was informed that there was a gap between the band and the fuel tank which caused the collapse. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,500.
Similar issue to the current recall on VW Atlas SEL 2019. The suction jet in the fuel tank may have been welded in the incorrect position allowing fuel to leak. Additionally, the vehicle may stall due to uneven fuel distribution. Car will stall out (not auto shut off) and gas tank will airlock / leak depending on fuel levels. Gas guage will show 0 fuel when fuel tank is full.
While driving on Saturday, Jan 8, 2022, my Atlas started leaking fuel. It felt like it just down-shifted on its own and the gas pedal stopped working. We were simultaneously overcome by the smell of gasoline inside the car. Both the engine and EPC warning lights were on. Thankfully, I was just about to pull into my driveway when this happened, so I was able to safely stop and we exited vehicle immediately. the entire engine was smoking and fuel was pouring out of the engine onto the ground. It eventually slowed to a drip. I called my local VW dealership but it was closed so I left a message. I also filled out on online service request the next day.
When driven on road, the car suddenly stopped without any sign. The car was towed to the dealer. I was told that the fuel pump wiring was chewed by rodents, so the car suddenly doesn't have any fuel at all. This incident is very life-risking. The fuel pump wiring is under the rear seat. I am not sure whether it is the defective design of the car which makes the fuel pump wiring without any protection is easy to be chewed by animals. Moreover, I keep the broken wiring which does not look like chewed ones.
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 76,000 MILES. ALSO REPLACED SENSOR FOR FRONT ASSIST ERROR LESS THAN 1 YEAR AGO AND IT'S NOW GIVING WARNING LIGHT AGAIN. VW SAYING I HAVE TO PAY $450 TO RECALIBRATE.
ON A DOWN HILL GRADE THE FUEL TANK STOPS DELIVERING FUEL WHEN THE TANK IS AT A 25% LEVEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SAW FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO VILLAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF CHATTANOOGA (6001 INTERNATIONAL DR, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421, (423) 855-4981) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE CAUSED THE DAMAGE; THEREFORE, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A VALID WARRANTY IN EFFECT SINCE THERE WAS CURRENTLY ONLY 14,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IN 2018, THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE FUEL TANK LEAKING EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL TANK ISSUES. *LD *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026