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Electrical systemPart report

2018 Volkswagen Atlas Electrical system Problems

Complaints
111about this part
Share
24%of 466 total for the year
Median mileage
18,738miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 111 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, 24% of the 466 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,738 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“The sunroof is leaking in my 2018 cpo vw Atlas sel. This is the 4th week since delivered. The vehicle is leaking water into the cabin, my visor lights are not working on the driver side, there is water leaking through the headline and a moldy odor is beginning to permeate the vehicle. It was noticed after 1 trip after being parked all night in steady rain fall.”

NHTSA complaint #11398176, filed 2021-02, 30,000 miles

“Our electrical systems seem to have weird mishaps. Sometimes our lights stay on even if we close all doors and lock the car our check engine light comes on and off often. Sometimes the quick starter/electric start won't work. This all happens randomly and the engine light will be on when we start the car or while we're driving.”

NHTSA complaint #11402723, filed 2021-03, 80,000 miles

“Battery ramdomly loses charge to start the vehicle. We dorve from salt lake city to vegas. We filled up on gas with some of the electronics running and the car wouldn't start. Dash says battery was drained. Happened again when vacuuming the car after a wash. Doors were open and electronics were off, but it then wouldnt start again.”

NHTSA complaint #11172821, filed 2019-01, 29,000 miles

“I was stopped at a busy intersection when the battery died. This was the second time in 2 weeks that the battery died. Traffic had to be rerouted around me as I sat waiting for a jump start. I took it to the dealer and they say the batter is on back order which makes me think that this is a systemic problem affecting this vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11191516, filed 2019-03, 31,000 miles

“The battery on my vehicle has died multiple times. It is only a year old but it has died while driving in the auto start/stop mode and after parked at work and in my garage. Today it was -25 degrees f and it completely died on me after being at work for 4 hours, which was incredibly dangerous. Also, more often than not, my auto start on my key fob doesn't work either.”

NHTSA complaint #11164286, filed 2018-12, 15,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026433%
20251835%
20244526%
20233626%
20224424%
202114931%
20201141%
20197616%
201811124%

Other parts of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas

Air bags
100 complaintsEngine
100 complaintsBrakes
75 complaintsOther or unknown
73 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsForward collision avoidance
31 complaintsSteering
26 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 27, 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