Recall 17V766 affects 58 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SUVs for a thin fuel tank that can leak. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 58 2018 Atlas SUVs because the fuel tank was built with insufficient wall thickness and can leak fuel. A fuel leak near an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire, and Volkswagen dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The fuel tank on the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas stores gasoline under the rear of the vehicle and feeds the engine through the fuel system. It is built to hold fuel without leaking during normal driving and to meet fuel system integrity requirements in a crash.
On affected Atlas vehicles, the tank wall was made too thin in spots during supplier production. Volkswagen traced the defect to material starvation during tank manufacturing, after which the supplier corrected the equipment. Thin spots leave less plastic between the fuel and the outside of the tank, so fuel can leak through the wall instead of staying sealed inside.
Owners can notice this before a repair. The warning signs are a fuel odor near the vehicle or a fuel puddle under the Atlas.
Who's affected?
Build dates run from May 16, 2017, through June 10, 2017.
| 2018 Volkswagen Atlas | fuel system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 58 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fuel leak near an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. If you smell fuel or see a fuel puddle under the vehicle, park it and call a Volkswagen dealer before driving again. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free fuel-tank replacement that addresses the thin tank wall and fuel leak risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V766 when you call.
- Avoid driving if you smell fuel or see a leak; ask the Volkswagen dealer about towing before moving the vehicle.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician replaces the fuel tank covered by the recall. The replacement tank and labor are free under the recall. Since all affected vehicles are still covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, Volkswagen is not planning a separate reimbursement program for this campaign. Prior fuel tank repair costs are handled through that warranty coverage. Ask the Volkswagen service desk how the warranty applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 29, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 29, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| December 29, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 29, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 10, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V766?
Recall 17V766 covers 58 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SUVs with a fuel tank that was built with insufficient wall thickness. The tank can leak fuel, and a fuel leak near an ignition source increases fire risk. Volkswagen dealers replace the fuel tank for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Atlas is included in recall 17V766. If it is included, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the fuel tank replacement. Reference recall number 17V766 and Volkswagen recall number 20AQ when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volkswagen's remedy is a free fuel tank replacement. Any franchised Volkswagen dealer can perform the recall repair, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire if leaking fuel reaches an ignition source. This recall concerns a fuel tank with insufficient wall thickness that can allow a fuel leak. If your VIN is included, arrange the free tank replacement with a franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Atlas used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2018 Atlas is included, then call a franchised Volkswagen dealer with recall number 17V766 or Volkswagen recall number 20AQ.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V766000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V766 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V766000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →