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Air bagsPart report

2018 Volkswagen Atlas Air bags Problems

Complaints
100about this part
Share
21%of 467 total for the year
Median mileage
45,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 100 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, 21% of the 467 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Side air bags deployed on passenger side tires hit cubs...no direct damage what so ever to car just rims. An oncoming car was coming too close to me. :30 seconds later (right in front of my gated community), every single air bag deployed except front and passenger air bags. The car is motion :30 after interaction with curb when the air bags deployed and car stopped in the middle of the street. It was in a neighborhood in fresno 93711 (fir street)”

NHTSA complaint #11060744, filed 2018-01, 580 miles

“My wife slid into a curb during a left-hand turn into our neighborhood due to ice. She damaged the right front wheel and a couple mechanics, scratching the right rear wheel as well. There is no damage to any other part of the exterior; however, this curb impact set off all of the interior side airbags, including one seat airbag. My wife received minor pain from airbag impact but thankfully my children were not in the car because a side airbag deployed directly inside my child's head restraint. …”

NHTSA complaint #11076693, filed 2018-03, 6,000 miles

“While driving on at least 10-12 occasions as of today, 1/28/20, the error:airbag message has popped up on our screen behind steering wheel both with a passenger present and without. Then the light on the dashboard indicates that both airbags are turned off. Also, there appears to be an electrical issue with the drivers visor light. It will turn on when you move the mirror slightly but if you open the mirror all the way it blinks a few times then turns off.”

NHTSA complaint #11302620, filed 2020-01, 52,800 miles

“Air bag error indicator keeps going off and the passenger air bag constantly turns off and on when a front passenger is sitting in the seat. This occurs when the vehicle is in motion and stationary.”

NHTSA complaint #11219119, filed 2019-06, 36,225 miles

“Purchased new 2018 Atlas at herog meier vw dealership in beaverton oregon on 5-19-18. Upon driving home from dealership the airbag error light came on and would not go out. Called dealer once home and immediately drove back to dealer. They said to drive it and come back monday to service department. Car has been under three attempted repairs since then with local dealer technicians and even regional mid level technician calling them to walk through repairs over phone. Still no fix and they have no idea what the cause is. …”

NHTSA complaint #11099361, filed 2018-06, 430 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202485%
20232215%
20223016%
20216614%
2020830%
201914129%
201810021%

Other parts of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas

Electrical system
111 complaintsEngine
100 complaintsBrakes
75 complaintsOther or unknown
73 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsForward collision avoidance
31 complaintsSteering
27 complaintsSeats
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology