2019 Volkswagen Atlas
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 453 |
| 2019 | 462 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 442 |
| 2022 | 169 |
| 2023 | 115 |
| 2024 | 157 |
| 2025 | 36 |
| 2026 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
30% of complaints: air bags — 137 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231128
16% of complaints: service brakes — 76 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY15% of complaints: electrical system — 70 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY13% of complaints: engine — 59 distinct reports on file.
12% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 54 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
I was driving on the SB 55fwy in light stop and go traffic and had my ACC w/ traffic aware system engaged.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250821
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V824000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Campaign 18V904000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.
Remedy: Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y8.
Campaign 19V218000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 19V389000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The suction jet in the fuel tank may have been welded in the incorrect position allowing fuel to leak.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BU.
Campaign 19V614000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V142000 — check if this car was fixed
Fuel Injector Leak
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 22V086000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 22V152000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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 AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Campaign 22V815000 — check if this car was fixed
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side impact air bag may be missing a weld at the side air bag housing.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side impact air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FK.
Campaign 23V671000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 23V215000 — check if this car was fixed
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2019 Volkswagen Atlas — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (137 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (76 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (70 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 18V824000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V904000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V218000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V389000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V614000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V142000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V086000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V152000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V815000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V671000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V215000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.