2021 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
31% of complaints: electrical system — 139 distinct reports on file.
21% of complaints: service brakes — 93 distinct reports on file.
CRASH18% of complaints: engine — 78 distinct reports on file.
14% of complaints: air bags — 63 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Vehicle went in for service on the airbags. The dealer has been sent the incorrect OEM part 5 times from Volkswagen parts dealers.Volkswagen Cstomer Care sent email confirmation that the part is correct, dealer is stating part is not correct.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260129
Upon a low speed curb strike, predominantly striking the rear driver tire and partially the front driver tire, during a slide under 30mph, the curtain airbags deployed in the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 20251201
The side airbags for this vehicle have been deployed, and there is no physical damage to the car and no indications of a collision. The side airbags deployed after checking a curb at 30 miles an hour. The incident happened in January of 2022.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220214
13% of complaints: exterior lighting — 56 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Atlas Cross Sports and 2021 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side headlight may have been aimed too low during production.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V504000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V505000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. One or both steering knuckles may have been damaged during production.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V712000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport and 2021 Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires, size 255/50 R 20 105 T. The tires may have been over cured.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V702000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V716000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The front steering knuckle may fracture in the area of the strut mounting.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V026000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V132000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Damaged relays may have been installed in the engine compartment fuse box, which could inadvertently activate the horn or engine starter.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V616000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles. The front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V812000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V892000 — check if this car was fixed
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. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 22V245000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 22V514000 — 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 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
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2024.
Campaign 24V464000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2021 Volkswagen Atlas — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (139 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (93 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (78 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 20V504000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V505000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V712000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V702000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V716000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V026000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V132000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V616000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V812000 (suspension, wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V892000 (air bags, visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V086000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V152000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V245000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V514000 (back over prevention, equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V815000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V215000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V464000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas have?
17 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.