2024 Volkswagen Atlas

▲ Better than typical
2024 Volkswagen Atlas
RENDERED 2026-09-16T03:05:09.197Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Atlas Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2024 highlighted. 2018: 462 complaints 2018 2019: 473 complaints 2020: 27 complaints 2020 2021: 468 complaints 2022: 180 complaints 2022 2023: 130 complaints 2024: 168 complaints 2024 2025: 44 complaints 2026: 9 complaints 2026
2024: 168 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2018462
2019473
202027
2021468
2022180
2023130
2024168
202544
20269

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26%

26% of complaints: electrical system — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240702

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 21%

21% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 21%

21% of complaints: service brakes — 35 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 16%

16% of complaints: engine — 27 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas suddenly lost all power and acceleration while driving at approximately 45 mph with a child passenger. There were no warning lights, messages, or abnormal symptoms prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260722

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gear position indication (prndl).

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240919

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20230928 — engine and engine cooling

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas PA2 and Atlas Cross Sport PA vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 13i6.

Campaign 23V593000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240715 — back over prevention

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Golf R, Golf GTI, 2024 Atlas, and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The rearview camera image may be delayed or deactivated after shifting into reverse.

Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024, and July 16, 2024. Owners may contact VW customer service at 1-800-893-5298. VW's number for this recall is 91US.

Campaign 24V480000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240930 — air bags

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

R 20241021 — service brakes, hydraulic

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2024. Additionally, vehicles that were added to the population on November 21, 2024, their letters were mailed on December 2, 2024.

Campaign 24V723000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20250307 — engine

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces.

Remedy: Dealers will remove the engine cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10X5.

Campaign 25V100000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20250605 — back over prevention

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse.

Remedy: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91SB.

Campaign 25V334000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20250725 — service brakes, suspension

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42HX.

Campaign 25V434000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20260722 — back over prevention

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling 2024-2026 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. The vehicles may experience a low-voltage electrical event that affects display screen functions.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 18, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91TV.

Campaign 26V473000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2024 Volkswagen Atlas — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (43 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for forward collision avoidance issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 23V593000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V480000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V464000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V723000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V100000 (engine) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V334000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V434000 (service brakes, suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 26V473000 (back over prevention) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2021 ■ 2018

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-15 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.