Recall 18V369 covers 10,225 2018 Volkswagen and Audi vehicles for coated brake caliper pistons. Do not drive. Repair is free at a Volkswagen or Audi dealer.
Reduced braking performance increases the risk of a crash. Do not drive the vehicle until the brake system has been checked, even for short trips. If the brake pedal feels soft after startup, leave the vehicle parked and call a Volkswagen dealer about next steps or towing. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 10,225 2018 Passat, GTI, Golf, Q5, SQ5, Atlas, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Golf Sportwagen vehicles under recall 18V369 because brake caliper pistons have insufficient coating, reducing brake performance. Do not drive an included vehicle; a Volkswagen dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The brake caliper is the part that squeezes the brake pads against the brake rotor when you press the pedal. Inside each caliper, a piston moves under brake-fluid pressure and pushes the pads into place. On affected 2018 Passat, GTI, Golf, SQ5, Beetle Convertible, Q5, Atlas, Beetle, and Golf Sportwagen vehicles, that piston is the concern.
Volkswagen found that brake caliper pistons built during a specific production period had an insufficient chrome coating. That coating protects the piston surface and helps it move correctly inside the caliper. The root cause of the thin coating was still under investigation in the recall record, but the result is clear: brake performance can be reduced. The dealer remedy is to bleed the affected brake calipers, with rear brakes listed for Q5 and SQ5 and front and rear calipers listed for the Volkswagen models.
The warning sign is a brake pedal that feels soft after you start the vehicle. If the pedal sinks farther than usual or does not feel firm, treat that as the signal tied to this brake-caliper defect.
Who's affected?
Covers 9 nameplates from the 2018 model year, all tied to the same hydraulic brake system issue.
| 2018 Volkswagen Passat | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Volkswagen GTI | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Volkswagen Golf | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Audi SQ5 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Audi Q5 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Volkswagen Atlas | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Volkswagen Beetle | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 10,225 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2018 model name does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Reduced braking performance increases the risk of a crash. Do not drive the vehicle until the brake system has been checked, even for short trips. If the brake pedal feels soft after startup, leave the vehicle parked and call a Volkswagen dealer about next steps or towing. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Volkswagen or Audi model is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the brake system has been checked.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen or Audi dealer to schedule the free brake-caliper service that restores proper brake performance.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen or Audi mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V369 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, Volkswagen handles the brake system check and bleeding procedure at no charge. Volkswagen dealers bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Audi dealers bleed the rear brakes on the Q5 and SQ5 vehicles included in the same campaign. Do not drive the vehicle until the brake system has been checked. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior brake repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| June 1, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 29, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 30, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| July 30, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 31, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V369?
Recall 18V369 covers 10,225 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf Sportwagen, GTI, Q5, and SQ5 vehicles with brake caliper pistons that have insufficient coating. That defect can reduce braking performance and increase crash risk. Do not drive until the brake system has been checked.
What should I do if my 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf Sportwagen, GTI, Q5, or SQ5 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V369. If it is, do not drive it until the brake system has been checked. Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall 18V369, plus Volkswagen recall numbers 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the affected brake calipers for free, with front and rear brake calipers checked as directed by the recall instructions.
Is it safe to drive before the brake system is checked?
No. Do not drive the vehicle until the brake system has been checked. The recall says reduced braking performance can increase crash risk, so ask the Volkswagen dealer what to do if the vehicle needs to move before the inspection or repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V369000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V369 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V369000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - 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 →