2021 Volkswagen Atlas: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 670 complaints
670
Total Complaints
12,000mi
Median Mileage
Electrical System
Top Issue
10
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
3,086
25th Percentile
12,000
Median Mileage
24,423
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Electrical System
134
Service Brakes
93
Engine
73
Unknown Or Other
62
Air Bags
60
Automatic Emergency Braking
52
Exterior Lighting
41
Fuel/Propulsion System
33
Power Train
14
Adaptive Cruise Control
13
Severity Assessment
10
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS CAN BECOME CAUGHT IN OVER-SHOULDER SEAT RELEASE LEVER (AFFECTS ALL REAR SEATS, EXCEPT MIDDLE BENCH SEAT). THIS CAN PREVENT SEAT BELTS FROM RETRACTING PROPERLY. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN MIDDLE ROW SEATS ARE RETURNED TO SEATING POSITION FROM FOLD-DOWN POSITION. THIS SLIGH..."
"REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS CAN BECOME CAUGHT IN OVER-SHOULDER SEAT RELEASE LEVER (AFFECTS ALL REAR SEATS, EXCEPT MIDDLE BENCH SEAT). THIS CAN PREVENT SEAT BELTS FROM RETRACTING PROPERLY. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN MIDDLE ROW SEATS ARE RETURNED TO SEATING POSITION FROM FOLD-DOWN POSITION. THIS SLIGH..."
"ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS AND IS RENDERED USELESS WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED UTILIZING REMOTE START. VEHICLE MUST BE STOPPED TURNED OFF AND STARTED WITH PUSH BUTTON IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE MALFUNCTION AND USE CRUISE CONTROL. VOLKSWAGEN USA TECHNICIANS TOLD DEALER TECHNICIAN THAT THERE IS NO FI..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Electrical System
134 complaints
25th: 10,502 mi
Median: 15,000 mi
75th: 20,500 mi
Service Brakes
93 complaints
25th: 8,300 mi
Median: 10,600 mi
75th: 19,923 mi
Engine
73 complaints
Median: 15,000 mi
Air Bags
60 complaints
25th: 15,612 mi
Median: 19,500 mi
75th: 50,403 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 67
FL: 55
NY: 50
VA: 37
CA: 37
GA: 33
IL: 31
NC: 29
PA: 25
WA: 23
Who Files Complaints?
0.9%
Original Owners
99.1%
Second+ Owners
Volkswagen Atlas — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (17)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Camera
Campaign 20V716000 | 18/11/2020
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
Steering
Campaign 21V026000 | 27/01/2021
A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace one or both steering knuckles, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q7.
Rim
Campaign 21V132000 | 03/03/2021
An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four wheels, and as necessary, replace the wheels, lug bolts ,and wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Campaign 21V812000 | 15/10/2021
The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the tightness of the wheel bearing bolts and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40R7.
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Campaign 21V892000 | 17/11/2021
A water leak may damage the air bag control module, causing an inadvertent air bag deployment and increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Dealers will repair the drain tube and replace the air bag control module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 87H4.
Seats
Campaign 20V505000 | 26/08/2020
In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1
Headlights
Campaign 20V504000 | 26/08/2020
A headlight aimed incorrectly aimed reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will adjust the driver's side headlight, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94N7.
Sidewall
Campaign 20V702000 | 13/11/2020
Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air pressure or the tread separating from the tire. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect DOT date code and mold number on the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 30, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's
Steering
Campaign 20V712000 | 17/11/2020
A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q6. Note: Owners are advised to
Relays/Solenoids
Campaign 21V616000 | 06/08/2021
A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
Dealers will inspect and as necessary, replace the relays, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97FR.
Labels
Campaign 22V086000 | 16/02/2022
Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Side/Window
Campaign 22V152000 | 28/03/2022
A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Injectors
Campaign 22V245000 | 13/04/2022
Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Camera
Campaign 22V514000 | 20/07/2022
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Campaign 22V815000 | 31/10/2022
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
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
Front Passenger
Campaign 23V215000 | 29/03/2023
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
Front Passenger
Campaign 24V464000 | 20/06/2024
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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 Volksw
Maintain Your Electrical System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Clean battery terminals annually with baking soda and water
- Replace the battery every 3-5 years before it leaves you stranded
- Don't leave accessories running with the engine off
- Check for corroded ground connections if you have intermittent electrical issues
- Replace dim headlights promptly — they're a safety issue and a wiring symptom
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28