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2018 Volkswagen Atlas

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Atlas.

Body SUV

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas arrives as a midsize SUV built on VW’s MQB platform and is powered by a drivetrain that requires a 6.0‑quart fill of 5W‑40 oil, a capacity that underscores its relatively robust engine design. With 454 owner‑reported complaints across the model line and air‑bag issues topping the grievance list, the Atlas also carried 16 recalls, situating the 2018 model near the higher end of its complaint spectrum—just shy of the 2019 peak of 465 reports. Yet, as the data set spanning 2018‑2026 shows a dramatic decline to a low of five complaints in 2026, the 2018 Atlas can be viewed as an early‑generation vehicle whose reliability challenges have been markedly addressed in subsequent years.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-40OEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 03H115441. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire size245/60R18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	03H115441 alt 03H198070
Engine air filter	3QF129620
Spark plug	101905622 alt 03H905600A
Battery	000915089E alt 000915089F
Front wiper blades	3CN998002
Serpentine belt	022145933AP alt 06L903137A
Thermostat	06L121139A alt WHT000863
Cabin air filter	5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	198.4 in
Overall width	78 in
Overall height	68.9 in
Wheelbase	117.3 in
Curb weight	4502 lb
Track (front / rear)	67.7 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Atlas of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.2–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2018 TSI SE

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2018	TSI SE 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.20 sec	15.60 sec	235 hp	FWD
2018	SE V6 3.6L V6	7.30 sec	15.60 sec	276 hp	FWD
2018	SEL V6 4MOTION 3.6L V6	7.90 sec	16.00 sec	276 hp	AWD
2018	SEL V6 Premium 4MOTION 3.6L V6	7.90 sec	16.00 sec	276 hp	AWD
2018	SEL V6 Premium 4MOTION 3.6L V6	7.90 sec	16.00 sec	276 hp	AWD
2019	SEL V6 4MOTION 3.6L V6	7.80 sec	15.90 sec	276 hp	AWD
2019	SEL V6 4MOTION 3.6L V6	8.00 sec	16.10 sec	276 hp	AWD
2021	SEL V6 4MOTION Basecamp 3.6L V6	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	276 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-40 engine oil, Use Audi/VW part number G052145A1 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Use Audi/VW part number G055025
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	Use Audi/VW part number G052145A1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.1 qt
Engine Coolant	Use genuine VW G13 type coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity	21.1
Engine Oil	5W-40

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	96.0 inch lbs.; ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Spark Plug Torque	22 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Spark Plug Torque	13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	1.38-1.48 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.40-4.00 oz

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	58.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	102.0
Residual Pressure	43.5 Minimum pressure after 10 minutes. psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 26 always; Rear: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 148
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.063; Rear: .787

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°

148 ft. lbs

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°

148 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	48.0 inch lbs.	48 in
2	45.0

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · M8 Bolts

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	90.0 degrees; M9 Bolts	90 degrees
1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0 degrees; Diesel engines	90 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · Cap bolts

1	48.0 ft. lbs.	48 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees; Side bolts	90 degrees
1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	180.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
At 40,000 mi	Sunroof Assembly (lubricate)
Every 40,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Sunroof Assembly (lubricate)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, as the inaugural model year, exhibits the highest number of Technical Service Bulletins (810) and ties for the most recalls (16) across the generation, signaling a steep initial quality curve. Complaints peak in the first two years (455 in 2018, 465 in 2019) before a sharp but temporary drop in 2020, then resurge in 2021 (444), suggesting early teething problems that later years gradually resolve, with complaints falling to 116 by 2023. The 2018 model’s top complaint areas—air bags, electrical system, engine, and service brakes—align with its elevated recall count, though the data does not specify root causes. With 6 crash complaints and no fire complaints, the safety concerns are notable but not catastrophic. Given the high volume of technical service bulletins and recalls compared to later, more refined model years, a used 2018 Atlas carries a higher risk of unresolved issues; a 2020 or newer example would likely be a more dependable choice.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

810

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

454

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’18’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 454 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags78

Electrical System42

Engine41

Service Brakes40

Unknown Or Other33

Forward Collision Avoidance11

Electrical System,Engine11

Seats11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V536000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperReported 15/08/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally…

20V057000Air BagsReported 31/01/2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Atlas vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrectly manufactured air bag sensor, which can delay or disable air bag deployment when… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag crash sensor, free of charge. The recall began February 21, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 810 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
VW closures 20260608	2026-06-08	Unknown Or Other	Multiple campaign closures dealer communication.
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Atlas. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 6.0 qt Engine oil filter 03H115441 Engine air filter 3QF129620 Spark plug 101905622 Battery 000915089E

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Atlas take?

6.0 qt of 5W-40 Meeting Audi/VW specification 502 00 or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Atlas have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.