2018 Volkswagen Atlas · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 45owner reports
- 15,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
212 of the 464 complaints on this car are about the engine. 45 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 45 reports
Stalling on other Atlas years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2024.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (14 reports) and the engine (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the engine cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open.
The fuel tank on these vehicles may leak fuel due to a manufacturing error. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
The fuel tank may have been manufactured with insufficient wall thickness, potentially resulting in the tank leaking fuel.
All 17 recalls on the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Atlas
Fuel injector leak. Closed oct 3, 2022.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 9,700 and 45,000 miles, from the 26 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Several times before I got the car stalled in the car wash which I thought that could no be important however yesterday Sunday 12, driving on I4 by Tampa bay in Florida when traffic was stocked and slow suddenly the car went off, so I geared neutral and started again. Then happened twice in total three times.”
Filed Jul 13, 2026
“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.”
Filed Aug 11, 2025
“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.”
Filed Apr 8, 2025
“While driving down the road the vehicle automatically shuts off without power brakes or power steering. Must come to a complete stop put the vehicle into park and the vehicle will then restart. Has happened twice in one week.”
Filed Jun 13, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 45 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Airbag warning light or recall 100 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 75 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 53 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 33 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 30 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 30 reports