The Volkswagen Atlas spans 2018–2026 with 27 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2019, 2018, 2022 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2021, 2023, 2025. It delivers up to 24 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Volkswagen Atlas is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2018 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Volkswagen Atlas VIN — every digit explained
Every Volkswagen Atlas carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Volkswagen and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Atlas.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your Atlas VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Atlas have?
The Volkswagen Atlas has 27 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2018–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2022 Volkswagen Atlas recalls 7
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Risk. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on October 18, 2024, December 10, 2024, December 20, 2024, and January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.
Suspension:critical Fasteners
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Volkswagen Atlas FL and 2022-2023 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The driver-side rear trailing arm bolts may not have been tightened properly, allowing them to loosen and fall out.
Risk. Unsecured bolts may cause the trailing arm to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the driver side rear trailing arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 25, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42M2.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
Risk. A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The trailer hitch bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.
Risk. Loose bolts may fall out, causing the remaining bolts to break, which could lead to separation of the trailer hitch and trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N8.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters.
Risk. Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the long fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24iD.
Air Bags:side/window
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.
Risk. A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97GF.
2020 Volkswagen Atlas recalls 4
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Risk. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.
Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk. An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Air Bags:side/window
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.
Risk. A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97GF.
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk. Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will install the reduced GVWR label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 09D9.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas recalls 16
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Risk. A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk. Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will install the reduced GVWR label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 09D9.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Atlas vehicles. The fuel tank may have been manufactured with insufficient wall thickness, potentially resulting in the tank leaking fuel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AQ.
Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. During production, the air conditioning system drain tube may have been twisted, causing water to drain into the air bag control module.
Risk. The wet air bag control module may result in an unintentional deployment of the air bags, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain tube, and if it is twisted, the drain tube and air bag control module will be replaced, free of charge. Some of the affected vehicles have had their drain tube previously replaced but did not receive a new air bag control module; the airbag control module will be replaced in these vehicles. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 87F9.
Seat Belts: Rear/other:buckle Assembly
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswaen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. The owner's manuals provided with the affected vehicles do not inform the customers about the child restraint size limitation/restrictions for the second row center seating position. As a result, the center and adjacent outboard seat belt buckles on the second row can become damaged it a child seat base is installed that is wider than 12.6 inches.
Risk. A damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the center and left outboard seat belt buckles, and replace them if necessary, free of charge. Volkswagen will also provide an owner's manual supplement addressing child safety and child restraints. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X1.
Unknown Or Other
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk. Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Fix. Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
Unknown Or Other
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk. Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
Tires:sidewall
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Risk. Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44R1.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk. If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. 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."
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AW. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 17V-766.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Risk. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
+ 4 more 2018 recalls — see all by your exact VIN.
Best and worst years for the Volkswagen Atlas
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 9 tracked years, the worst years are 2019, 2018, 2022 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2021, 2023, 2025.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Atlas | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2019 Atlas | Air Bags | Avoid | |
| 2020 Atlas | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2021 Atlas | — | Best | |
| 2022 Atlas | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2023 Atlas | — | Best | |
| 2024 Atlas | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2025 Atlas | — | Best | |
| 2026 Atlas | Vehicle Speed Control | Average |
What are the most common Volkswagen Atlas problems?
The most-reported Volkswagen Atlas problems are Other (1 reports), Seats (32 reports) and Tires (5 reports) — out of 1,250 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Air Bags 280 Read
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle struck a deer that jumped in the middle of the roadway impacting the vehicle on the front driver's side. The contact was attempting to pull over when another vehicle rear-ended her vehicle while driving at an unknown speed, fatally wounding the driver of the other vehicle. The other vehicle had the driver as the only occupant and succumbed to their inquiries on the scene. No air bags were deployed. The "Crash Detected" and "Air Bag Malfunction" messages were displayed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The front passenger's side seat, where the contact's husband was sitting, inadvertently moved backward and seized upon impact. The contact's son, who was sitting in the rear passenger's seat, was unable to exit the vehicle immediately since the rear passenger's side door failed to open. The medics extracted her son from the rear driver's side door. The contact, her husband, and her son were transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bruising to the right eye, lung, hips, and arms, as well as a cracked tooth and a fractured rib. At the hospital, the contact received staples in her head and four stitches on the forehead. The contact's husband suffered cuts and bruises on his right arm and hip. The contact's son sustained a head contusion, shoulder bruising, and cuts and bruises on his knees. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard but was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,327.
Accident on 8.23.2024, and my driver or passenger airbags did not work, in my 2024 Volkswagen ATLAS SEL. The accident totaled my truck. The safety of myself and daughter at the time was very serious, but thankful, we came out with scratches and bruises. The problem has not been reproduce as I no longer have the truck. I sent an email (9/18/2024), to the dealer (Heritage Volkswagen Cantonsville, Manger Christopher Meagher), and he has not replied. There were no warning lights on in my truck prior to the accident.
The contact owned a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, when veering towards the left or right with the vehicle, the vehicle would turn in the opposite direction the steering wheel was being directed. The contact would have to turn the steering wheel in the desired direction to straighten the vehicle and turn it towards the intended direction. The lane assist would cause the vehicle to misread the direction of the road and turn the vehicle in the opposite direction. The failure had become progressively worse and more persistent. The contact stated that while driving past a driveway, the Lane Assist determined there was a curb near the vehicle, aggressively turning the vehicle towards the curb, causing the vehicle to crash into the mailbox near the driveway. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The mailbox was damaged. The contact stated that they received bruises to their hands from attempting to correct the direction of the vehicle, and no medical attention was needed. The police were contacted, and a police report was made; however, the contact was waiting for the police report identification number. After the incident, the contact learned that their vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags), which explains that the air bags may fail to deploy. The remedy for the recall had not been completed before the incident occurred. The dealer was informed of the failure; however, the contact had not heard back from the department that they needed to speak with. The manufacturer was contacted; however, a complaint was not filed. The contact was advised to call back to file with the correct department, which was closed at the time. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Windows roll down by themselves. Parking brake applies itself without warning. Multiple warning lights saying parking brake error, start stop error, hill assist error, window sensor code, and constant dinging. Hill assist will come on even when not on a hill jarring you at higher speeds. Airbags deployed late during no fault Accident. The flaws in the vehicle didn’t cause the car accident, yet it wasn’t protecting me as it should have, but could very well cause an accident with the abrupt stopping, for no reason. I do have videos of the caution codes, it wouldn’t let me up load them so I took pictures of the videos.
My wife slid into a curb during a left-hand turn into our neighborhood due to ice. She damaged the right front wheel and a couple mechanics, scratching the right rear wheel as well. There is no damage to any other part of the exterior; however, this curb impact set off all of the interior side airbags, including one seat airbag. My wife received minor pain from airbag impact but thankfully my children were not in the car because a side airbag deployed directly inside my child's head restraint. In the words of the insurance adjuster, and the service technicians at multiple dealers and body shops, they have never seen airbags deploy like this due to an impact with a curb, with so little damage as well. Total cost to repair around $10k, resale value dropped 20% according to dealer quote, as airbag deployment is on carfax. It has been three months and vw has yet to manufacture the seat belts and seat cover for replacement. We have been without the car all this time and it could be several more months before we even get a true timeline...all due to an impact with a curb. To make things more interesting, there is another atlas who also slid into a curb due to ice during the same storm, only damage to wheels, airbags deployed, and they are still without their car as well, three months later. Vw support refuses to release report that dictates the airbags deployed properly, stating it's normal and therefore our fault. Considering the obvious and the testimonies of auto body specialists, there is something wrong with airbag sensors.
All the airbags in the car deployed from a minor impact; it is available for inspection.
On Saturday, November 18, 2023, at approximately 2100 hrs. my wife was returning home from a volunteer event traveling N/B SR-269 near MM 15.7 when she encountered an elk crossing the roadway in front of her. She subsequently hit the elk with the left front of our 2019 Volkswagen Atlas SEL. The impact collapsed the hood, grill, front bumper, and left fender. The driver and passenger door, left fender, and windshield were also severely damaged. The entire front windshield was shattered and collapsed into the front passenger compartment. What did not happen was the activation of the front and side airbags. I believe the impact was sufficient for the system to deploy and it appears to me that the passenger airbag system failed in this collision. Failure of the airbag system is potentially life-threatening. The vehicle is currently in a towing company impound yard waiting for inspection from our insurance adjuster. Accident Location: SR-269 MM 15.7 Ravalli County, Montana
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 volkswagen atlas. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 45 mph, she had hit a storm drain on the side of the road which caused all side curtain and passenger air bags to deploy. The vehicle shut off as the air bags deployed. The police were called and a police report (#20s000488) was filed. No medical attention was given at the scene; the driver suffered minor scratches and bruises cause by the seat belt. There was no damage to the vehicle; however, the vehicle was towed to mike steven volkswagen (11211 e kellogg dr n, wichita, ks 67207) for an investigation. The manufacturer was notified and pulled the computer data from the vehicle. Data showed that a air bag sensor was activated which deemed the contact responsible for the air bag deployment. The vehicle had not been repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000. *ln *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 volkswagen atlas. While driving less than 5 mph, the vehicle slid onto a curb, causing damage to the rear passenger side wheel. The contact stated that both the driver and passenger side curtain air bags and the front passenger side air bag erroneously deployed. Also, the front driver and passenger side seat belts were damaged. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. Hawk volkswagen (2861 west jefferson st, joliet, il) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 2,000. *tt *tr
The same airbag error mentioned in recalls for other VINs of this vehicle is happening to this one. I think this VIN also needs to be included.
Electrical System 268 Read
I was driving on the freeway in the right lane and the lane assist forced my steering wheel to turn right causing me to collide into a concrete guard rail. Previous to that my car had been having electrical malfunctioning issues with the screen and radio.
Car exploded. I was driving fine with ac running when all of a sudden gray smoke came out the hood of the car. I stoped in a side street. I turned off the car and the gray smoke became black. I took my phone and ran out. As I ran the car exploded like a bomb on the street and started throwing flames. Car is completely loss. Car has been to it’s maintainer and everything and nothing found.
Windows roll down by themselves. Parking brake applies itself without warning. Multiple warning lights saying parking brake error, start stop error, hill assist error, window sensor code, and constant dinging. Hill assist will come on even when not on a hill jarring you at higher speeds. Airbags deployed late during no fault Accident. The flaws in the vehicle didn’t cause the car accident, yet it wasn’t protecting me as it should have, but could very well cause an accident with the abrupt stopping, for no reason. I do have videos of the caution codes, it wouldn’t let me up load them so I took pictures of the videos.
3 weeks after buying the car, I turned it on and there was an awful clicking noise. I turned the car off and the clicking was still happening and then both door started smoking. We had to pull the battery and have the car towed. Dealership had to replace electrical panels in the doors.
While driving, the steering wheel warning light briefly flashed on my dashboard and then disappeared. Later, it came back on and stayed illuminated. A few minutes after that, my car caught fire, which spread to my garage and caused significant damage to my house.
The auto braking system activats on its own while in motion. On multiple occassions the car has suddenly braked and ive come to a complete stop in the middle of the road. No cars, debris, hazards, or anything were in front of me that should have activated the automatic collision prevention system. It is so sudden that it left my neck and shoulders (seat belt area) very sore. The automatic collision prevention system is supposed to be a safety feature but nearly caused a collision. I have taken it to the dealer multiple times for the problem but everytime they say there are no errrors reported on their computer and there is nothing they can do. This is a known problem among many vw owners and vw knows too but doesn't address it.
My 2024 Volkswagen Atlas began displaying multiple warning messages involving the engine, drive system, and powertrain. Warning messages included “Engine: error start/stop,” “Drive system, please service vehicle,” and other engine/powertrain alerts. The vehicle has had intermittent check engine lights, shaking, rough operation, abnormal noises, and repeated warning messages that disappear and then return. This is a serious safety issue. The vehicle has lost power, stopped working, failed while in use, and broken down. On one occasion, when I attempted to drive forward, the vehicle moved backward instead. The vehicle displays repeated drive system and engine warnings and becomes unreliable during operation. I have children and regularly transport them in this vehicle, and I do not believe this vehicle is safe to drive. The vehicle is still under factory warranty, but I have been unable to obtain timely warranty service. The Volkswagen dealership in Jackson, Mississippi advised they have severe staffing limitations and limited diagnostic availability, and I was told I need to take the vehicle to another state for service. I was also told by Volkswagen customer service that towing assistance may be available under warranty, but when connected with towing assistance I was advised coverage was only for a very limited distance 6 miles! I was quoted approximately $1,900 to tow the vehicle to the available Volkswagen service location in Louisiana. Because the vehicle is not safe or reliable to drive, I have also been forced to pay out of pocket for a rental vehicle while attempting to obtain warranty repairs. VW refused to help me with a loaner or rental. I am filing this complaint because these issues appear to involve the engine, electrical system, and powertrain and create a serious risk of loss of power, unexpected movement, breakdown, or failure while driving.
Brakes are constantly grinding and squeaking Seat belt sensor has an issue - Seat belt noise will continuously go off if no one is sitting in the seat If you give the SUV more gas going uphill then it gets stuck in that gear, which means there is a transmission issue. Car also randomly jolts The safety of my family is put at risk each day I drive the SUV. The dealer has not confirmed the issue and told me the brake squeaking is because of the materials used to produce the SUV. There has been no resolution after the vehicle has been inspected 3x by the Dealer. No warning messages before the issue appeared
The rear light bar/tail light assembly fills with water and causing turn signals and light bar to intermittently not work. This occurred the first time that the vehicle was left out in the rain at approximately 65k. It is always parked covered and I do not drive in the rain. Many other Atlas have this issue much sooner if they are left in the inclement weather.
I am submitting this complaint to report ongoing safety-related defects with my Volkswagen vehicle that remain unresolved despite multiple attempts through the manufacturer and an authorized dealership. The vehicle has experienced recurring and unpredictable issues including warning lights activating without explanation, sensor malfunctions, abnormal and recurring brake noises, and the infotainment/vehicle information system intermittently failing to power on or experiencing complete blackouts during operation. These issues occur during normal driving and present potential safety concerns by distracting the driver, limiting access to vehicle information, and raising concerns regarding braking reliability and electrical system stability. I previously filed a formal complaint directly with Volkswagen regarding these defects and have received no meaningful response, resolution, or follow-up. I also brought the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealership for inspection. Despite review, no permanent repair was completed and the same defects continue to occur. I was not provided a clear explanation, corrective action, or assurance that the vehicle is safe for continued operation. I have documentation showing that these issues are not isolated to my vehicle. Identical brake noises and infotainment system blackouts have been widely reported by other Volkswagen owners across social media platforms and Reddit community groups, suggesting a broader or systemic defect. In addition, I personally possess videos and photographs documenting the brake noises, infotainment blackouts, warning lights, and electrical irregularities affecting my vehicle. This evidence is available upon request, and I am prepared to provide follow-up information as needed. Given the repeated failures, lack of manufacturer response, and corroborating reports from other owners, I am requesting that this complaint be formally recorded and evaluated by the NHTSA.
Service Brakes 234 Read
On 5 Dec 20212, at approximately 1:30 while driving to the Fairfield Inn & Suites, 1707 69th Street, North Bergen, New Jersey 07047, we turned onto 69th street but missed the right turn to the hotel, so I went up the hill and made a U-turn back and the accelerator got stuck somehow and the brake pedal did not work. We were going down the hill extremely fast pumping the brakes with no luck. Rather than hit the car waiting for the Red Light I turned my car toward a power pole, and crashed extremely hard. My wife and I were both transported by ambulance to the Hackensack University Medical Center. My wife has to have spinal neck repair surgery, is still in the hospital with no sensation in her arms & fingers and is being sent to Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation for 5 weeks of Rehabilitation, with a prognosis of up to two years to fully recover. I suffered whiplash, bruising, tissue damage and in severe pain in my neck, back and stomach. The vehicle was towed and is in the Tominos Towing lot at 5419 Tonnelle Ave. Telephone 201-223-0235, and the accident police report is at the police dept. at 4233 Kennedy Blvd. Case#21-116842.
On many occasions, the automatic braking system and blind spot detection systems have engaged at inappropriate times. Most recently, the automatic braking system engaged when safely merging with proper signaling from the right lane, which was ending, to the next to the left lane when the only vehicle in the vicinity was fully in the left turn lane. There was enough space between our vehicle and the vehicle behind to avoid a rear end collision but the hard braking was unnecessary and could have caused damage or more serious injuries than those sustained by the driver and passenger caused by the seatbelt locking on the collarbone and chest because of the sudden application of brakes. Another recent incident was on the freeway when safely changing lanes with proper signaling from the far left lane to the center lane and the blind spot detection system prevented changing lanes when the closest to the right vehicle was in the far right lane, one lane further than attempting to change into. If this had occurred while changing lanes to avoid a collision with debris or another vehicle, it could have caused damage or injuries.
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while at a stoplight with vehicles in the front and rear, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, lunged forward, and crashed into a Chevrolet pickup truck. The brake pedal was applied but failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were reported injuries, a police report, airbag deployment, or a fire. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to service the vehicle due to parts. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop. Then towed back to the same local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis and repair were completed. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer reported that the vehicle was not the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. The VIN was not available.
My atlas forward collision system malfunctioned causing the automatic emergency braking to turn on when there was no one and nothing in front of me. I was then rear ended. Which ultimately totaled my vehicle. My car said airbag error as well. I called Volkswagen Perrysburg Ohio, to report the incident, was sent to the managers voicemail 7/16/2025. The manager never called me back.
The auto braking system activats on its own while in motion. On multiple occassions the car has suddenly braked and ive come to a complete stop in the middle of the road. No cars, debris, hazards, or anything were in front of me that should have activated the automatic collision prevention system. It is so sudden that it left my neck and shoulders (seat belt area) very sore. The automatic collision prevention system is supposed to be a safety feature but nearly caused a collision. I have taken it to the dealer multiple times for the problem but everytime they say there are no errrors reported on their computer and there is nothing they can do. This is a known problem among many vw owners and vw knows too but doesn't address it.
As i was going straight through a busy intersection the car automatic braking turned on and caused the car to stop in the middle of the intersection. I was almost t-boned by another car. There are nothing in front of me. Clear day. 85 degrees. 9 am.
Even though my vehicle was not covered by previous recalls i have just had a problem with the brakes. The brake petal went all the way to the floor, and the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle was moving less than 5 mph. Active start stop system (fuel efficiency) was engaged but i do not know if it was active. Vehicle was in stop and go traffic headed downhill. I was exiting a parking garage on a city street.
The vehicle failed to stop on a city street after full application of brakes causing collision and damage to front bumper . I have not received any notification from walks wagon that ceramic coating on the brakes needs to be fixed and was not aware of any brake issues prior to the collision .the vehicle has approximately 4100 miles and currently at the collision centre .
Component/System Failure: The braking system, specifically the brake rotors (and possibly pads), appears to be malfunctioning. The vehicle experiences severe vibration during braking. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: While braking at highway speeds (approximately 50–70 mph), the steering wheel shakes violently and the vehicle vibrates rapidly. This reduces control and creates a serious safety risk, especially when driving downhill or in traffic. It increases stopping distance and makes the vehicle feel unstable. Reproducibility / Dealer Confirmation: The issue has been reproduced multiple times under normal driving conditions. The dealership inspected the vehicle and acknowledged brake/rotor-related vibration but classified it as normal wear and tear and declined warranty repair. Inspections by Others: The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Volkswagen dealership. No police or insurance inspections were involved. Warning Lamps or Prior Symptoms: No warning lights or dashboard messages were displayed prior to or during the issue. The only symptom is severe shaking and vibration during braking, which began around 33,000 miles for 2024 ATLAS. Additional Details / Suspected Cause: Given the low mileage, this appears to be premature failure of brake components rather than normal wear. Similar complaints have been reported by other owners, suggesting a potential defect or design issue.
am filing a complaint regarding my 2024 Volkswagen due to ongoing safety concerns and the dealership’s refusal to properly address them under warranty. Since early ownership, I have experienced abnormal brake behavior (including a “spongy” or inconsistent pedal feel) and suspension-related issues. At under 16,000 miles, the vehicle has already shown irregular tire wear (feathering), which indicates a potential alignment or suspension defect. These issues raise serious safety concerns, particularly regarding braking reliability and vehicle stability. Despite multiple visits, the dealership has repeatedly stated that “no issues were found,” while simultaneously recommending services such as wheel alignment at my expense. This is contradictory, as the premature tire wear and drivability concerns suggest an underlying defect that should be covered under warranty. Additionally, there is a known recall involving similar models for brake system components (master cylinder), yet my VIN was excluded despite exhibiting similar symptoms. The dealership has not made a good-faith effort to investigate whether my vehicle is affected by a related defect. I believe the dealership is avoiding warranty responsibility by minimizing or dismissing legitimate safety concerns. I am requesting that this matter be formally investigated, including potential defects in the braking and suspension systems, and whether this vehicle should be covered under recall or warranty provisions. This situation presents a potential safety risk not only to myself and my family but also to others on the road.
Engine 227 Read
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 volkswagen atlas. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sweet and musty odor emerging from the vehicle. The contact and occupants sustained headaches and nausea due to the odor. Medical attention was not received. The vehicle was towed to winn volkswagen (39695 balentine dr, newark, ca 94560, (510) 344-2013) where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant leak and an engine replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 190150480. No further assistance was provided. The contact requested a buyback of the vehcile. The failure mileage was 7,300.
Car exploded. I was driving fine with ac running when all of a sudden gray smoke came out the hood of the car. I stoped in a side street. I turned off the car and the gray smoke became black. I took my phone and ran out. As I ran the car exploded like a bomb on the street and started throwing flames. Car is completely loss. Car has been to it’s maintainer and everything and nothing found.
Driving my car only a few minutes and it caught fire and blew up. Car was completely engulfed in flames. Son was barely able to get out before engine burst into flames.
oil leak at intake pipe to turbo joint. this is a well known problem with this engine.
My 2024 Volkswagen Atlas began displaying multiple warning messages involving the engine, drive system, and powertrain. Warning messages included “Engine: error start/stop,” “Drive system, please service vehicle,” and other engine/powertrain alerts. The vehicle has had intermittent check engine lights, shaking, rough operation, abnormal noises, and repeated warning messages that disappear and then return. This is a serious safety issue. The vehicle has lost power, stopped working, failed while in use, and broken down. On one occasion, when I attempted to drive forward, the vehicle moved backward instead. The vehicle displays repeated drive system and engine warnings and becomes unreliable during operation. I have children and regularly transport them in this vehicle, and I do not believe this vehicle is safe to drive. The vehicle is still under factory warranty, but I have been unable to obtain timely warranty service. The Volkswagen dealership in Jackson, Mississippi advised they have severe staffing limitations and limited diagnostic availability, and I was told I need to take the vehicle to another state for service. I was also told by Volkswagen customer service that towing assistance may be available under warranty, but when connected with towing assistance I was advised coverage was only for a very limited distance 6 miles! I was quoted approximately $1,900 to tow the vehicle to the available Volkswagen service location in Louisiana. Because the vehicle is not safe or reliable to drive, I have also been forced to pay out of pocket for a rental vehicle while attempting to obtain warranty repairs. VW refused to help me with a loaner or rental. I am filing this complaint because these issues appear to involve the engine, electrical system, and powertrain and create a serious risk of loss of power, unexpected movement, breakdown, or failure while driving.
Safety recall issued in November 2025 for the engine cover. The dealership removed the faulty engine cover for safety reasons. VW customer care informed me that the part is not in production. Under federal recall law, manufacturers must provide a remedy within a "reasonable time". Seven months with no production date for the repair is my complaint. The engine cover is designed to reduce engine noise.
Repeated concerns involving the reliable response to pressing the gas pedal. Directly after purchase notified dealership the vehicle felt unsafe to drive. That pressing the gas pedal did not guarantee the vehicle would predictably move forward. Response ranges from high rpm with no forward propulsion, delayed response with eventual slow or regular movement, high rpm with no forward movement when taking tight turn, feeling of incorrect gear. Most important when passing and accelerating or moving into traffic from stop you do not know how the vehicle will respond. Two Volkswagen dealers have inspected and state there is nothing wrong. Vehicle has recently had vacuum seals replaced which gave a temporary improvement of response feel but has degraded and left vehicle with a rough idle at stopping. Dealership has replaced based on check engine light: Faulty Breather Valve EVAP Solenoid Vavle Upper Timing Cover Safety is put at risk when car presents an unpredictable response in entering traffic or initiating a maneuver requiring acceleration. Check engine light has appeared only on the most recent repair.
Vehicle was first sohwn to have low coolant and improper temps in the engine compartment, found to have multiple issues by independent car care facility regarding the coolant system and engine temperature. This also caused issues with rpms at idle and while parked. Car was taken to dealership for repair. Replacements under warranty made including thermostat, coolant pump, vacuum pump, toothed belt cover, and pressure pipe, etc. 1,000 miles later, issues continued, with the dealership having to perform a second fix including fixing the intake runner control valve. The car still behaved irregularly though assured that dealership performed full inspection. Now, third set of problems have arisen with the vehicle, with significantly low coolant after only 5 months post-repair and multiple spraying stains from oxidized coolant inside engine compartment. Vehicle still fluctuates in rpms at irregular times and has issues changing gears. Family members and children occupy this vehicle at regular times during the week, and having coolant issues, rpm spiking, idle lurching, and malfunctioning engine systems can lead to catastrophic failure of the entire vehicle while in transit, putting family life at serious risk of harm, injury, or death.
1st Issue: Braking noises while applying brakes. While applying brake pressure to brake pedal there are squealing, grinding, gargling (liquid) sounds coming from the front of the vehicle. There are no lights or warnings displayed. This has been happening since bought new back in may of 2024. This issue has been brought up to the service department at the Volkswagen dealership where purchased multiple times when going in for oil changes and (other issues) the vehicle had or has. Every time it is brought up the service advisor states there is nothing wrong with the vehicle and is “normal” operation for the vehicle being in the southern states. This is a safety hazard to not only myself and family but other family’s traveling U.S. roads. We fear that the brakes may fail at anytime while traveling and we do a lot of traveling with our son. 2nd Issue: Engine noises and erratic idle upon start up. Vehicle was brought in for low oil level light, supervisor was informed about the problem. Vehicle was checked, oil added and was told nothing wrong. When cold starting (not every time) the vehicle makes a surging sound and has erratic idle for about 3-5 seconds then clears up. Vehicle was also recently brought in for low coolant light, vehicle was topped off, no leaks visible but was not checked for internal leaks. 3rd Issue: Electrical problems with the infotainment system and windows. Infotainment system randomly goes black at any time while vehicle is being used. Windows will randomly go up or down when trying to work the switches. Ex: once window is rolled down and try to raise, when the switch is released the window will randomly go back down or the opposite window will roll down or up depending on what position it is in.
October 27th- As my husband was parking at work, the vehicle suddenly refused to shift into any gear—Park, Reverse, or Drive—and defaulted to Neutral. The dashboard displayed a warning message: “Risk of Rolling! P not possible. Please apply parking brake.” Despite multiple attempts, the Atlas could not be shifted or safely parked. After several failed tow attempts, VW Roadside Assistance successfully towed it to Ourisman Volkswagen of Laurel. As parents of young children (ages [XXX] , [XXX] , [XXX] , and [XXX] ), this experience was nothing short of terrifying. We drive this vehicle for school drop-offs and daily errands—had this malfunction occurred in traffic or at highway speeds, the outcome could have been catastrophic. We are grateful that no one was harmed, but this incident has left us traumatized and unwilling to transport our children in this vehicle again. This is not merely a mechanical inconvenience—it is a critical safety and reliability failure. A nearly new vehicle should never exhibit such dangerous behavior. For this reason, we are respectfully requesting that Volkswagen initiate a buyback of this 2024 Atlas and allow us to part ways with a vehicle we no longer feel safe operating. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Forward Collision Avoidance 152 Read
I was driving on the freeway in the right lane and the lane assist forced my steering wheel to turn right causing me to collide into a concrete guard rail. Previous to that my car had been having electrical malfunctioning issues with the screen and radio.
First time-Driving on road at 45 mph when my car started flashing red for a forward collision and my cars automatic emergency brake stopped me immediately with nothing in front of me on a clear road. The stop was so forceful we thought we were hit from behind with no one around us. The force causing both my teenage son and I to have strained necks with the force of us stopping immediately. I was forced so far forward my head hit the windshield. Second time-driving in a parking lot at 10 mph when my cars emergency red flashed in dashboard then immediately stopping my car with no car or speed bumps ahead of me. The car behind me nearly hitting me. We got out of car to ensure they had not hit us because again with the force of the immediate stop, all in the car were forced forward in a jerking position. Took into manufacture and they said nothing was showing up and they have no idea what I’m talking about
While going through an automated car wash, I experienced a critical malfunction at the end of the belt. When it came time to shift my vehicle from Neutral into Drive, the car would not respond. Every time I attempted to shift into Drive, the emergency brake would automatically engage, preventing the vehicle from moving forward. As a result, I was stuck at the end of the car wash belt. The car behind me, unable to stop due to the forward momentum of the belt, was pushed into my vehicle. Their vehicle sustained damage from hitting my trailer hitch, although my car did not appear to be physically damaged. This incident created a clear safety hazard, not only putting me at risk but also directly causing a rear-end collision. I believe the failure was related to either the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system or the shifting mechanism. However, I am not a mechanic, and this is my best assessment. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This malfunction created an immediate safety risk by leaving my car immobilized in a narrow, automated space, with another vehicle in motion behind me. The inability to shift into Drive and the automatic engagement of the emergency brake contributed to the collision. The issue has not yet been reproduced or confirmed, but the Volkswagen dealership has been contacted and is scheduled to perform diagnostics next week. The other vehicle involved in the collision was inspected by Longmont Auto Body & Glass, who provided a repair estimate of $1,495.39. My own vehicle has not yet been physically inspected by the manufacturer. Warning Signs or Symptoms Prior to Failure: During the car wash, proximity alarms were sounding, indicating that I was close to or might hit an object (likely the wash brushes), but I received no specific dashboard warning messages related to the shifting or emergency brake system before the failure occurred.
My atlas forward collision system malfunctioned causing the automatic emergency braking to turn on when there was no one and nothing in front of me. I was then rear ended. Which ultimately totaled my vehicle. My car said airbag error as well. I called Volkswagen Perrysburg Ohio, to report the incident, was sent to the managers voicemail 7/16/2025. The manager never called me back.
I was driving on the SB 55fwy in light stop and go traffic and had my ACC w/ traffic aware system engaged. My car was doing as it normally does, keeping a safe distance to the vehicle in front of me, automatically slowing, stopping and accelerating at a safe speed for the conditions. This feature I had been using on my car since I originally purchased it and paid for these safety features. When traffic was not stopped it was traveling between 15-20mph. All of the sudden my dashboard lit up with error messages, audible warnings, and check engine light, all flashing and beeping at me and before I quickly glanced at the dash to the alarming warnings, I had rear ended the car in front of me. This took me by complete shock as my car had always been overly cautious about applying emergency braking in close situations. This time it did nothing. The error message said Adaptive Cruise Control sensor had failed and along with that it had disabled all of the safety features I had become accustomed to and paid extra for, including, the emergency braking and front end collision warning. This caused almost $14k in damage to my vehicle and more so potentially could have put my entire family in danger. The sensor failure caused the accident, the damage to the other car that I was traveling behind and any potential injuries from the driver of that car. I have given this same statement to my insurance company, however no one has reached out to investigate the cause of the failure, not even the dealership service center, where I had originally had my damaged car towed to so they could check and verify with their scan tools that I had a faulty sensor. Also my vehicle had just been serviced the month prior and all software was updated at Norm Reeves Volkswagen, Irvine, CA.
I was driving on 2nd Street and realized I wasn’t going to make it through the light, so I stopped. I noticed that I had stopped in the crosswalk, so I decided to back up. Before backing up, I checked everything—I looked in my left mirror, my right mirror, behind me, and also at the rearview camera. There were no cars in sight behind me. As I started backing up, I heard a beeping sound indicating there might be a car behind me. I checked my mirrors again and looked at the camera, but there was still nothing there. I continued backing up and kept hearing the beeping sound. I checked again—mirrors and camera—and still saw nothing, so I kept going. I sped up slightly. Then suddenly, within seconds, my car slammed to a hard stop. It was a very abrupt emergency stop that caused my head to jerk forward and backward. It felt like someone had hit me from behind. Right after, I looked at my dashboard and saw multiple red warning lights and messages indicating that an emergency situation had occurred. I immediately checked my rearview mirror and side mirrors again, but there were no cars behind me at all, only vehicles beside me on my right hand side that were going straight, since I was in a left-turn position. I am in hospital because of my pain. I have pain in my neck and head , I’m dizzy, the room is spinning, I’m nauseous. My nose is stuffy and I feel like I have cold, and my vision is blurry.
When you move from reverse to drive in short spurts to park the car, the vehicle's emergency brake system turns on when nothing is in the way and causes car to lock up - beep loudly and vibrate. This is very disruptive when you try to park and scary as the car is over-reacting.
I am writing to formally report repeated and serious defects with my 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, VIN [XXX] , which I leased in California. These defects occurred well within the vehicle’s first year and while under factory warranty. Brake System Defect At 8,405 miles, the vehicle received its 10,000-mile maintenance. At 9,340 miles, brake pads measured 10 mm front / 8 mm rear, reflecting nearly new condition. By 13,175 miles, the pads had separated from their backing plates, causing scoring of the front rotors. Told they crumbled by the dealership. Dealer performed a “one-time goodwill repair” on the 1-year in-service date, replacing pads and rotors, but refused to document the failure as a warranty-covered defect. This premature failure at 13k miles is not normal wear and reflects a serious manufacturing/material defect that created a safety hazard. Engine and Oil Issues At 13,175 miles, the oil light came on and the vehicle was found to be low on oil despite proper service at 8,405 miles. At 8,405 miles the oil light also came on showing low to no oil. Intermittent Warning and Electrical Issues Throughout this period, the vehicle has experienced recurring warning messages and system malfunctions, including: “Error: Dynamic Road Sign Display” “Lane Assist Not Available” “Front Assist Has Limited Availability” TPMS issues, where displayed tire pressure did not match actual pressure, and the light remained on for days despite correct tire pressures being confirmed. Additional Warranty Repairs At 9,943 miles, the radio required a software repair under warranty. Paint defect required repair under warranty. Summary: In less than 14,000 miles, this vehicle has experienced: Critical brake system failure (pads separating, rotor damage). Engine oil loss triggering warning light. Multiple electrical and safety system errors affecting driver-assist features. Radio malfunction requiring repair. Paint defect requiring repair. I have more pics & orders INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am submitting this complaint to report ongoing safety-related defects with my Volkswagen vehicle that remain unresolved despite multiple attempts through the manufacturer and an authorized dealership. The vehicle has experienced recurring and unpredictable issues including warning lights activating without explanation, sensor malfunctions, abnormal and recurring brake noises, and the infotainment/vehicle information system intermittently failing to power on or experiencing complete blackouts during operation. These issues occur during normal driving and present potential safety concerns by distracting the driver, limiting access to vehicle information, and raising concerns regarding braking reliability and electrical system stability. I previously filed a formal complaint directly with Volkswagen regarding these defects and have received no meaningful response, resolution, or follow-up. I also brought the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealership for inspection. Despite review, no permanent repair was completed and the same defects continue to occur. I was not provided a clear explanation, corrective action, or assurance that the vehicle is safe for continued operation. I have documentation showing that these issues are not isolated to my vehicle. Identical brake noises and infotainment system blackouts have been widely reported by other Volkswagen owners across social media platforms and Reddit community groups, suggesting a broader or systemic defect. In addition, I personally possess videos and photographs documenting the brake noises, infotainment blackouts, warning lights, and electrical irregularities affecting my vehicle. This evidence is available upon request, and I am prepared to provide follow-up information as needed. Given the repeated failures, lack of manufacturer response, and corroborating reports from other owners, I am requesting that this complaint be formally recorded and evaluated by the NHTSA.
The brakes are grinding, pads were checked at local shop and were noted to be 11mm and should not be grinding
Fuel/propulsion System 75 Read
Driving my car only a few minutes and it caught fire and blew up. Car was completely engulfed in flames. Son was barely able to get out before engine burst into flames.
Had new vehicle for 1 week and it broke down in a parking lot and would not start on 5/10/26. It was towed and dealership, found it to be a faulty feel injector system that was replaced. Picked it up from the dealership on 5/13/26 and I lost the ability to accelerate while on the interstate. It was towed back to the dealership who had to reach out to V. W headquarters to determine the problem. It was discovered that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. That unit is on back order and I still do not have my vehicle.
When first purchased the vehicle I would fuel up car with gas and was given 520 miles. Now it only allows me to have 425 Miles of gas. I can drive slow at 30 mph and it will literally take 10 miles while only driving 1 mile distance. I can’t accelerate without it draining the gas. Also Ac is malfunctioning. Blows hot air on passenger side. Every now and then driving assist , the parking assist and the radio screen will shut off by itself. I can’t take it to the dealership because they want to charge me almost $300 for a diagnostic!!!
Repeated concerns involving the reliable response to pressing the gas pedal. Directly after purchase notified dealership the vehicle felt unsafe to drive. That pressing the gas pedal did not guarantee the vehicle would predictably move forward. Response ranges from high rpm with no forward propulsion, delayed response with eventual slow or regular movement, high rpm with no forward movement when taking tight turn, feeling of incorrect gear. Most important when passing and accelerating or moving into traffic from stop you do not know how the vehicle will respond. Two Volkswagen dealers have inspected and state there is nothing wrong. Vehicle has recently had vacuum seals replaced which gave a temporary improvement of response feel but has degraded and left vehicle with a rough idle at stopping. Dealership has replaced based on check engine light: Faulty Breather Valve EVAP Solenoid Vavle Upper Timing Cover Safety is put at risk when car presents an unpredictable response in entering traffic or initiating a maneuver requiring acceleration. Check engine light has appeared only on the most recent repair.
I have a 2024 VW Atlas and this is the second time I'm taking the car to the dealer to have the fuel door opened. There is a problem with the fuel door actuator and it was replaced one time about 14-16 months ago. Often the fuel door will not open and there is no pull string to open it. The fuel door locks and unlocks with the vehicle. It often sticks and it could cause a problem with someone running out of gas in their vehicle. Also - being stranded in a less than a desirable area can impact one's safety. I was fortunate - but today Im heading to the dealership to have them replace the actuator again. Now, I question taking this car on a long road trip and having to fuel in the middle of the evening when dealerships are not open. I believe all vehicles should have a pull tab to open the fuel door in case of these kinds of situations. I had a similar problem with a 2017 Porsche Macan S - not sure if it is the same part number.
after the car has come to a stop, I will press on the gas to go. It will start to go and then die. This has left me in the middle of on coming traffic. Removing my foot from the gas and then reapplying it the car will accelerate. This has created dangerous situations on a few occasions. This has happened approximately 6-8 times since I bought the car. The dealer found nothing wrong with the car, 9/5/24, but it still happens
I was driving approximately 72 - 74 mph on an expressway and approaching traffic ahead of me. To move around this traffic, I switched lanes and attempted to accelerate. Immediately upon pressing the accelerator, the vehicle began to sputter, jerk, and decelerate, and the engine revved at what sounded like a very high rate of RPMs. The vehicle continued to sputter and jerk as it decelerated to a speed of approximately 55 – 58 mph. Once the vehicle reached that speed range, I was able to maintain my velocity; however, the vehicle continued to sputter and jerk until I brought it to a full stop. Additionally, if I attempted to accelerate, the RPMs turned at a very high rate and no acceleration occurred. I reported the issue to the dealership immediately and brought it to the service department when they opened the following morning. At the time of writing this, the vehicle remains in their possession and has not been returned to us.
On the week of 10/13/2025, I had an oil sensor alert appear after a recent oil change. I took the vehicle in on 10/30/2025 for a diagnostic check and was told the oil separator sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. After the service was completed, the total was $906.42 of which I paid $580.99 out of pocket post my extended warranty claim payment. I received a recall notice in November 2025 for Emissions Service Action 10LP - Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve / Oil Separator. The same issue I just paid for in October 2025.I had an unsuccessful attempt dealing with Jim Ellis Volkswagon in Kennesaw to try and retrieve a refund directly from them. I subsequently completed and emailed the reimbursement form to Volkswagon on 1/2/2026. I have not received any communication to them in regards to my reimbursement claim.
My Volkswagen Atlas has a recurring check engine light and start/stop error light. The LD pump and valve have been replaced multiple times, but the issue persists. Volkswagen now says the problem is the carbon canister, which is covered by TSB VWP-23-04 (NHTSA ID MC-10235143-0001) extending warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles. The bigger concern is safety: the vehicle has stalled multiple times while driving, including once in an intersection where I completely lost steering and control until the car was towed. This creates a major safety hazard for myself and others on the road. Despite the TSB coverage, Cardinale Volkswagen in Salinas, CA is refusing to replace the carbon canister under warranty. They also charged me a $240 diagnostic fee, even though the issue diagnosed was later found to be warranty-related. My understanding is that diagnosis and repair of warranty defects should be performed at no cost. This is a clear safety defect: sudden stalling in traffic, loss of steering, and repeated failures of emission-related parts. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate these incidents and Volkswagen’s handling of warranty claims, as drivers are being put at risk of accidents, injury, or worse.
Vehicle stalls at low speeds or at a stop while ldling. Requires car be put in park to restart. Dealerships unable duplicate. Issue is occurring with greater frequency. Causing an unsafe condition driving in traffic.
Steering 72 Read
On many occasions, the automatic braking system and blind spot detection systems have engaged at inappropriate times. Most recently, the automatic braking system engaged when safely merging with proper signaling from the right lane, which was ending, to the next to the left lane when the only vehicle in the vicinity was fully in the left turn lane. There was enough space between our vehicle and the vehicle behind to avoid a rear end collision but the hard braking was unnecessary and could have caused damage or more serious injuries than those sustained by the driver and passenger caused by the seatbelt locking on the collarbone and chest because of the sudden application of brakes. Another recent incident was on the freeway when safely changing lanes with proper signaling from the far left lane to the center lane and the blind spot detection system prevented changing lanes when the closest to the right vehicle was in the far right lane, one lane further than attempting to change into. If this had occurred while changing lanes to avoid a collision with debris or another vehicle, it could have caused damage or injuries.
While driving, the steering wheel warning light briefly flashed on my dashboard and then disappeared. Later, it came back on and stayed illuminated. A few minutes after that, my car caught fire, which spread to my garage and caused significant damage to my house.
I tried to merge to the left lane on the highway I-55 S (Chicago, IL), but the steering wheel was out of control and cannot be operated functionally all of sudden, which hit on the right side curb. There was no ice or water on the road. The weather is clear.
Component/System Failure: The braking system, specifically the brake rotors (and possibly pads), appears to be malfunctioning. The vehicle experiences severe vibration during braking. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: While braking at highway speeds (approximately 50–70 mph), the steering wheel shakes violently and the vehicle vibrates rapidly. This reduces control and creates a serious safety risk, especially when driving downhill or in traffic. It increases stopping distance and makes the vehicle feel unstable. Reproducibility / Dealer Confirmation: The issue has been reproduced multiple times under normal driving conditions. The dealership inspected the vehicle and acknowledged brake/rotor-related vibration but classified it as normal wear and tear and declined warranty repair. Inspections by Others: The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Volkswagen dealership. No police or insurance inspections were involved. Warning Lamps or Prior Symptoms: No warning lights or dashboard messages were displayed prior to or during the issue. The only symptom is severe shaking and vibration during braking, which began around 33,000 miles for 2024 ATLAS. Additional Details / Suspected Cause: Given the low mileage, this appears to be premature failure of brake components rather than normal wear. Similar complaints have been reported by other owners, suggesting a potential defect or design issue.
since purchase the car when holding steering straight veers to the left into oncoming traffic. vehicle has been to service 9x work on the subframe was completed at the first go..significant work that VW Corporate could not explain on a new car coming off the line. attempts since from most recent road force 4 wheel balance. car still pulls to the left. VW corporate was notified we would like a replacement but they still want to send the car back to service again. transparency has not been at the front of this case, they cant answer questions when directed asked esp regarding subframe work.
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle independently veered to the right. The failure recurred severely times and independently veered to the left or right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,200.
The vehicle has experienced multiple serious safety failures involving the steering, electrical system, and powertrain. Most recently, while driving, the steering wheel locked unexpectedly, causing a temporary loss of control. Multiple dashboard warning lights began flashing, and the EPC light turned on and off repeatedly. I had to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and restart the engine to regain control. The camshaft/camshaft position sensor and steering system appear to be malfunctioning, and the issues have recurred multiple times. The vehicle has been taken to a dealer for inspection and repairs several times, but the failures continue. These problems have created a serious safety risk, as loss of steering and erratic electrical behavior can lead to accidents, putting myself, passengers, and others on the road at risk. Warning lamps first appeared intermittently after prior repairs, but the steering wheel lock incident is the most severe event to date.
Engine randomly stops while driving, in the middle of the road, warning says to manually restart engine. Happens with auto start/stop on or off. Lastest incident, while entering an intersection turning left, engine stopped, said to manually restart, steering locked up so could not steer the vehicle. This particular incident was very dangerous put me in the middle of a lot of traffic, in an intersection. Car is basically unsafe to drive at this point. Had it towed.
Steering gear failed twice i have the first one make my car shake so bad and second it makes horrible noise every time i moved the steering wheel . Both front head light led failed for the day running light. Car has misfiring problems with spark plugs and injectors making driving unpredictable and engine start shaking out of nowhere and epc (electronic power control )light comes on
1. Noise from the Front End - Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, I noticed a persistent noise coming from the front end while driving. I reported this issue to the dealership within the first 30 days of ownership, but they were unable to identify or resolve the problem on multiple occasions. Eventually, I took the vehicle to Dublin Volkswagen, where the issue was diagnosed, but I had to pay $80 out-of-pocket for the diagnostic fee. 2. Stalling Issue - The vehicle has been sporadically stalling, which initially led me to believe it was related to the auto stop/start feature. However, I later discovered that this is a recurring issue reported by other Volkswagen Atlas owners [XXX] ). This stalling issue has occurred multiple times, even to my brother during his visit from Canada. Given that this vehicle is used to transport children and other passengers, this is a serious safety concern and liability risk. Picture of message that pops up when the issue occurs. 3. Brake Performance Problems - The brakes have been squealing and exhibit shaking and grinding during use after sitting for different periods of time. Despite contacting the dealership (Dorito Brothers Volkswagen) numerous times about this issue, I have been repeatedly dismissed by their service advisors, technicians and manager. Their lack of attention to detail and unwillingness to address my concerns has eroded my confidence in their ability to service the vehicle properly. I was also informed that Volkswagen would be dealing with the brakes issues by the end of the fourth quarter in 2024 but to-date nothing has been heard nor done. They are recommending brake pads and rotors but why are those needing to be replaced after less than a year of owning it. There's more going on than they are disclosing. Attached is a copy of a report from a different dealer than the car was purchased from. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power Train 68 Read
While going through an automated car wash, I experienced a critical malfunction at the end of the belt. When it came time to shift my vehicle from Neutral into Drive, the car would not respond. Every time I attempted to shift into Drive, the emergency brake would automatically engage, preventing the vehicle from moving forward. As a result, I was stuck at the end of the car wash belt. The car behind me, unable to stop due to the forward momentum of the belt, was pushed into my vehicle. Their vehicle sustained damage from hitting my trailer hitch, although my car did not appear to be physically damaged. This incident created a clear safety hazard, not only putting me at risk but also directly causing a rear-end collision. I believe the failure was related to either the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system or the shifting mechanism. However, I am not a mechanic, and this is my best assessment. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This malfunction created an immediate safety risk by leaving my car immobilized in a narrow, automated space, with another vehicle in motion behind me. The inability to shift into Drive and the automatic engagement of the emergency brake contributed to the collision. The issue has not yet been reproduced or confirmed, but the Volkswagen dealership has been contacted and is scheduled to perform diagnostics next week. The other vehicle involved in the collision was inspected by Longmont Auto Body & Glass, who provided a repair estimate of $1,495.39. My own vehicle has not yet been physically inspected by the manufacturer. Warning Signs or Symptoms Prior to Failure: During the car wash, proximity alarms were sounding, indicating that I was close to or might hit an object (likely the wash brushes), but I received no specific dashboard warning messages related to the shifting or emergency brake system before the failure occurred.
The vehicle was driven into the garage, driver pressed park then engine stop. Driver and passenger exited vehicle, opened both rear doors and retrieved items from the rear seats. Closed rear doors. No warning sounds or lights came on when exiting the vehicle. When returning to the vehicle in about an hour it had rolled out of the garage and crashed into another garage. When the driver's door was opened the shift lever indicated PARK. The incident was reported to the dealer and taken in as soon as possible. The dealer has been unable to recreate the problem and is still researching. Very concerned about the possibility of the vehicle moving in PARK and hitting someone or something.
I pulled to the top of my driveway and stopped. I turned the car off with the button but it was still in drive and it did not advise me that the vehicle was not in park. The car proceeded to roll back into a tree. Every other car i own whether it has a key or keyless start alerts you that your car is not in park if you turn it off in another gear other than park.
We bought this new vehicle on november 8, 2019. An extremely strong odor protruded from this vehicle inside the cabin when the vehicle was idling and when turned off. It smelled like burning paint or an engine burning smell. It was nauseating and made my six year old son very sick. This was our primary and most important, vital concern and worry.
The vehicle failed to stop on a city street after full application of brakes causing collision and damage to front bumper . I have not received any notification from walks wagon that ceramic coating on the brakes needs to be fixed and was not aware of any brake issues prior to the collision .the vehicle has approximately 4100 miles and currently at the collision centre .
The vehicles Transfer Case Bevel Box Seal) has been leaking fluid. This has been inspected and confirmed by the VW Dealer. There were no warning lights for this issue. The problem was found during oil change and routine maintenance. This issue has occurred twice on this fairly new 2024 vehicle with less than 20, 000 miles. This appears to be an ongoing issue with these vehicles and a recall should be initiated by the manufacturer.
My 2024 Volkswagen Atlas began displaying multiple warning messages involving the engine, drive system, and powertrain. Warning messages included “Engine: error start/stop,” “Drive system, please service vehicle,” and other engine/powertrain alerts. The vehicle has had intermittent check engine lights, shaking, rough operation, abnormal noises, and repeated warning messages that disappear and then return. This is a serious safety issue. The vehicle has lost power, stopped working, failed while in use, and broken down. On one occasion, when I attempted to drive forward, the vehicle moved backward instead. The vehicle displays repeated drive system and engine warnings and becomes unreliable during operation. I have children and regularly transport them in this vehicle, and I do not believe this vehicle is safe to drive. The vehicle is still under factory warranty, but I have been unable to obtain timely warranty service. The Volkswagen dealership in Jackson, Mississippi advised they have severe staffing limitations and limited diagnostic availability, and I was told I need to take the vehicle to another state for service. I was also told by Volkswagen customer service that towing assistance may be available under warranty, but when connected with towing assistance I was advised coverage was only for a very limited distance 6 miles! I was quoted approximately $1,900 to tow the vehicle to the available Volkswagen service location in Louisiana. Because the vehicle is not safe or reliable to drive, I have also been forced to pay out of pocket for a rental vehicle while attempting to obtain warranty repairs. VW refused to help me with a loaner or rental. I am filing this complaint because these issues appear to involve the engine, electrical system, and powertrain and create a serious risk of loss of power, unexpected movement, breakdown, or failure while driving.
Repeated concerns involving the reliable response to pressing the gas pedal. Directly after purchase notified dealership the vehicle felt unsafe to drive. That pressing the gas pedal did not guarantee the vehicle would predictably move forward. Response ranges from high rpm with no forward propulsion, delayed response with eventual slow or regular movement, high rpm with no forward movement when taking tight turn, feeling of incorrect gear. Most important when passing and accelerating or moving into traffic from stop you do not know how the vehicle will respond. Two Volkswagen dealers have inspected and state there is nothing wrong. Vehicle has recently had vacuum seals replaced which gave a temporary improvement of response feel but has degraded and left vehicle with a rough idle at stopping. Dealership has replaced based on check engine light: Faulty Breather Valve EVAP Solenoid Vavle Upper Timing Cover Safety is put at risk when car presents an unpredictable response in entering traffic or initiating a maneuver requiring acceleration. Check engine light has appeared only on the most recent repair.
The car does not downshift into second gear from third, the downshift occurs when triggered by the first gear. This can result in starting acceleration initiating below 1000 rpm around 5 MPH in gear 3 to get back up to speed. This can be best observed during stop and go traffic where the car does not reach mark to trigger downshift to first gear. This creates unpredictability and potentially hazardous situations.
At about 8,200 miles I got the low oil warning light. I had to add a quart of oil and get it to the dealership. The dealership confirmed there was an issue with 6 cam bridge bolts and clean the engine of all the leaked oil.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Volkswagen Atlas specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
How the Atlas's size changed by generation:
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 201″ | 78″ | 69″ | 117″ | 4,442 lb |
| 2018–2020 | 198″ | 78″ | 69″ | 117″ | 4,502 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Volkswagen Atlas cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Atlas holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Volkswagen Atlas tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Volkswagen Atlas get?
The Volkswagen Atlas returns up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine. Pick an engine to see its city / highway / combined rating by year:
| Year | City | Highway | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Atlas | 18 | 25 | 3.6L 6-cyl | |
| 2019 Atlas | 17 | 24 | 3.6L 6-cyl | |
| 2020 Atlas | 17 | 23 | 3.6L 6-cyl | |
| 2021 Atlas | 18 | 23 | 3.6L 6-cyl | |
| 2022 Atlas | 18 | 24 | 3.6L 6-cyl | |
| 2023 Atlas | 18 | 24 | 3.6L 6-cyl |
| Year | City | Highway | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Atlas | 22 | 26 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 Atlas | 20 | 26 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 Atlas | 20 | 24 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2021 Atlas | 21 | 24 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2022 Atlas | 21 | 25 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2023 Atlas | 21 | 25 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2024 Atlas | 20 | 27 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2025 Atlas | 20 | 26 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2026 Atlas | 20 | 27 | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov — best combined rating per engine & year. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
What engines does the Volkswagen Atlas have? Power & range
The Volkswagen Atlas is offered with 2 powertrains — 3.6L 6-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.6L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | FWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Volkswagen Atlas tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Volkswagen Atlas is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Atlas's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Volkswagen Atlas cost to own?
A Volkswagen Atlas depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Atlas loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — ≈ $13,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Atlas ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Volkswagen Atlas safe?
The Volkswagen Atlas earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Atlas | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2025 Atlas | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2024 Atlas | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2023 Atlas | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2022 Atlas | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2021 Atlas | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 Atlas | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2019 Atlas | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2018 Atlas | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
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How many miles does a Volkswagen Atlas last?
A well-maintained Volkswagen Atlas typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Decode your Volkswagen Atlas’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Volkswagen Atlas model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Volkswagen Atlas — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Atlas | 0 | ★★★★★ | |
| 2025 Atlas | 0 | ★★★★★ | |
| 2024 Atlas | 0 | ★★★★★ | |
| 2023 Atlas | 0 | ★★★★★ | |
| 2022 Atlas | 7 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2021 Atlas | 0 | ★★★★★ | |
| 2020 Atlas | 4 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2019 Atlas | 0 | ★★★★★ | |
| 2018 Atlas | 16 recalls | ★★★★★ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Atlas?
By owner-complaint volume, 2019, 2018, 2022 drew the most reports. 2021, 2023, 2025 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Atlas have?
27 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2018–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Atlas get?
Up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Atlas safe?
The Atlas earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Atlas last?
A well-maintained Atlas typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Atlas reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Atlas is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Volkswagen Atlas warranty?
New Volkswagen models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Volkswagen dealer.
Where is the Volkswagen Atlas made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Atlas's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Volkswagen may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Atlas have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.