2018 Volkswagen Atlas Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 7%of 467 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, 7% of the 467 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11382974, filed 2020-12, 76,000 miles“This has happened 3 times now. When driving, all emergency notification lights come on without warning and the car applies emergency braking. The driver is unable to accelerate and must come to a stop immediately or the car does it for them. The only way to then drive again, is to park it, turn the car off, and turn it back on. When that is done, almost all warning lights disappear and the car behaves as though nothing ever happened. The only error that the vehicle shows is an error with the start/stop system and says that the engine is on due to system failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11407349, filed 2021-04, 55,500 miles“While I was driving the automatic braking system engaged on 3 separate occasions last night, thankfully there was no one behind me or it would have caused an accident. A warning light did appear on the dash that read faulty brake system. I am going to contact a dealer to have it looked at.”
NHTSA complaint #11471758, filed 2022-06“I have experienced an alert/alarm for a Faulty Break Booster , Break System Failure , as well as other Break related alarms go off while driving. Multiple times I have been going over 40 mph and the vehicle has instantly breaked and came to a stop on it's own. I have taken my vehicle to the dealer and was advised there is no issue. This issue seems to happen randomly as I have been unable to recognize any similarities between conditions and frequency.”
NHTSA complaint #11570008, filed 2024-02“While driving about 30mph the automatic forward collision braking gave a malfunction light and screen. The car had NOTHING in front of it to cause the breaking to happen and forced my car to intermittently hard break as I tried to bring it to a car safely. If I had had a car behind me I surely would have been rear ended. I with all three child under 4 years old. I brought my car to a parking lot. Turned it off then on and turned off the forward collision brakes from the car menu.”
NHTSA complaint #11587831, filed 2024-05Related service bulletins
- 11030842Mar 25, 2026customer reports that the vehicle performed an unwarranted Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
- 11001522May 15, 2024These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
- 11001494May 15, 2024These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
- 10226547Nov 16, 2022ACC Calibration Process
Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 7 | 14% |
| 2024 | 29 | 16% |
| 2023 | 9 | 6% |
| 2022 | 20 | 11% |
| 2021 | 69 | 14% |
| 2020 | 7 | 26% |
| 2019 | 73 | 15% |
| 2018 | 31 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
111 complaintsAir bags
100 complaintsEngine
100 complaintsBrakes
75 complaintsOther or unknown
73 complaintsFuel system
35 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