Volkswagen Atlas years to avoid (and the best years)
1,964 NHTSA owner complaints and 47 recalls across 8 model years, 2018 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,964complaints
- 47recalls
- 38reported crashes
- 5reported fires
- 58reported injuries
Which Volkswagen Atlas years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Volkswagen Atlas years to avoid are 2019, 2021 and 2018. The typical Volkswagen Atlas year has 175 complaints on file.
- 2019: 478 complaints, 2.7 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (29% of complaints) and the brakes (17% of complaints).
- 2021: 471 complaints, 2.7 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (31% of complaints) and the brakes (21% of complaints).
- 2018: 461 complaints, 2.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (24% of complaints) and the airbags (22% of complaints).
What are the best Volkswagen Atlas years?
The Volkswagen Atlas years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (27), 2023 (131) and 2022 (181). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 46 | 0.3× | 5 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 169 | 1.0× | 8 | 6 | 10 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 131 | 0.7× | 5 | 4 | 6 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2022 | 181 | 1.0× | 7 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2021 | 471 | 2.7× | 17 | 9 | 12 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 27 | 0.2× | 4 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 478 | 2.7× | 12 | 7 | 10 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2018 | 461 | 2.6× | 17 | 8 | 18 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 1,029 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Electrical & infotainment312 (30%)
- Engine & powertrain267 (26%)
- Brakes176 (17%)
- Airbags & seat belts116 (11%)
- Structure & body82 (8%)
Recalls (47)
Steering · 26V590000 · Sep 2026 · model years 2018, 2019
A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 26V473000 · Jul 2026 · model years 2024, 2025
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 25V434000 · Jun 2025 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V334000 · May 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
A distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V100000 · Feb 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Transmission · 25V081000 · Feb 2025 · model year 2025
A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 24V723000 · Sep 2024 · model year 2024
An obstructed brake fluid port can cause a loss of brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V480000 · Jun 2024 · model year 2024
A rearview camera with a delayed or deactivated image reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Airbags · 24V464000 · Jun 2024 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Airbags · 23V671000 · Oct 2023 · model year 2019
The driver's side impact air bag could deploy improperly or detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Engine · 23V593000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2024
A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, engine failure may cause an oil leak which can increase the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 23V215000 · Mar 2023 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Tires · 22V815000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 22V807000 · Oct 2022 · model year 2022
Unsecured bolts may cause the trailing arm to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 22V753000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2022, 2023
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.
Brakes · 22V718000 · Sep 2022 · model year 2023
A brake fluid leak may increase the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V657000 · Aug 2022 · model year 2022
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.
Safety · 22V514000 · Jul 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 22V245000 · Apr 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 22V152000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 22V086000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 21V892000 · Nov 2021 · model year 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.
Safety · 21V812000 · Oct 2021 · model year 2021
The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 21V616000 · Aug 2021 · model year 2021
A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
Safety · 21V321000 · May 2021 · model year 2018
Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Tires · 21V142000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2018, 2019
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.
Safety · 21V132000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2021
An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 21V026000 · Jan 2021 · model year 2021
A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V716000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2021
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 20V712000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2021
A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 20V702000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2021
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.
Safety · 20V561000 · Sep 2020 · model year 2018
Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Safety · 20V505000 · Aug 2020 · model year 2021
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.
Exterior lighting · 20V504000 · Aug 2020 · model year 2021
A headlight aimed incorrectly aimed reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 20V057000 · Jan 2020 · model year 2018
In the event of a crash necessitating frontal air bag deployment, a delayed or disabled airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 19V614000 · Aug 2019 · model year 2019
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 19V389000 · May 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V218000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Suspension · 18V904000 · Dec 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V824000 · Nov 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
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.
Airbags · 18V537000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
The wet air bag control module may result in an unintentional deployment of the air bags, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Brakes · 18V536000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 18V380000 · Jun 2018 · model year 2018
A damaged seat belt buckle can release unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Airbags · 18V375000 · Jun 2018 · model year 2018
If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
Brakes · 18V369000 · Jun 2018 · model year 2018
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 18V284000 · May 2018 · model year 2018
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 17V766000 · Nov 2017 · model year 2018
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.