Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 8 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

8 total · 8 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 26V473000 · Jul 2026

A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 28, 2026.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V434000 · Jun 2025

A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V334000 · May 2025

A distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V100000 · Feb 2025

A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V723000 · Sep 2024

An obstructed brake fluid port can cause a loss of brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Volkswagen Customer Relations at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 471F.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V480000 · Jun 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.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V464000 · Jun 2024

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy
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 Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V593000 · Aug 2023

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.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

169 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
43

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

transmission slipping 12sudden stalling 9
A recent report: The problem is the car has moments of stalls/not accelerating. From a stop, like at a stoplight, I have to press the gas pedal all the way to the floor, and even though the RPMs go up, the car…
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The problem is the car has moments of stalls/not accelerating. From a stop, like at a stoplight, I have to press the gas pedal all the way to the floor, and even though the RPMs go up, the car doesn't move or barely moves for several seconds before it finally goes. The engine is clearly running and revving the power just isn't getting to the wheels and it stalls in thr middle of traffic.I don't know exactly which part is failing because after four repair attempts, the dealership still hasn't found it. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. Me, my kids, and other drivers safety have been put at risk more than once. The most dangerous one was on XXX when I was merging on the highway with my kids in the car, pressed the gas to speed up and get over, and the car stalled. A semi truck almost hit us because even with my foot all the way down on the gas pedal the speed wouldn't get up and the semi had to jump over into another lane almost hitting another car. The service center at Molle Volkswagen in [XXX] said the computer showed the car was stalling but couldn't find the cause or reproduce it. First visit (VW Lee's Summit): told it could be bad fuel, but they never drained it and I ran premium for months and it was still doing it. Second visit: a software update was all that showed up. They updated it and it failed the next day. Third visit: a bad fuel code came up, so they drained and refilled the tank. It's still doing it, with no code explaining why. Only VW dealerships have inspected it. Earlier warning: in sept. 2025, around 32,000 miles, the myVW app alerted "transmission in emergency mode" and "selector lever error." I took screenshots, but when I brought my car to get checked, the code didn't show up or didn't store so my transmission was never checked. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764505 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
49

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 37electrical shorts 6
A recent report: The center infotainment/display screen in this 2024 VW Atlas repeatedly goes black, freezes, and reboots itself while the vehicle is being driven, including at highway speed (about 43-55 mph). When…
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The center infotainment/display screen in this 2024 VW Atlas repeatedly goes black, freezes, and reboots itself while the vehicle is being driven, including at highway speed (about 43-55 mph). When it fails, the screen collapses to a clock only and shows "Navigation not available," "Telephone not available," and "App-Connect not available," then the entire head unit reboots on its own while driving. During these failures the driver loses the rearview/backup camera image, climate and audio controls, navigation, and phone functions - a serious safety hazard while the car is in motion. The problem is ongoing and has NOT been fixed. The vehicle has been to the Volkswagen dealer FIVE times for this issue (01/15/2026, 01/26/2026, 05/27/2026, 06/16/2026, and 06/30/2026). Repair order #436699 documents the screen "intermittently going black"; a dealer software update was performed and did not resolve it - the failure recurred. There is a 79-second video of the head unit rebooting while driving at 43-55 mph. This matches VW recall 26V473000 (2024-2026 Atlas, a low-voltage electrical event affecting display-screen functions) and TSB 91-23-03 (MIB3 infotainment freezing/rebooting/black screen). Losing the backup camera, controls, and displays while driving endangers the occupants and others on the road.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11757211 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
40

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 12premature wear 10
A recent report: Component/System Failure: The braking system, specifically the brake rotors (and possibly pads), appears to be malfunctioning. The vehicle experiences severe vibration during braking. The vehicle is…
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Component/System Failure: The braking system, specifically the brake rotors (and possibly pads), appears to be malfunctioning. The vehicle experiences severe vibration during braking. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: While braking at highway speeds (approximately 50–70 mph), the steering wheel shakes violently and the vehicle vibrates rapidly. This reduces control and creates a serious safety risk, especially when driving downhill or in traffic. It increases stopping distance and makes the vehicle feel unstable. Reproducibility / Dealer Confirmation: The issue has been reproduced multiple times under normal driving conditions. The dealership inspected the vehicle and acknowledged brake/rotor-related vibration but classified it as normal wear and tear and declined warranty repair. Inspections by Others: The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Volkswagen dealership. No police or insurance inspections were involved. Warning Lamps or Prior Symptoms: No warning lights or dashboard messages were displayed prior to or during the issue. The only symptom is severe shaking and vibration during braking, which began around 33,000 miles for 2024 ATLAS. Additional Details / Suspected Cause: Given the low mileage, this appears to be premature failure of brake components rather than normal wear. Similar complaints have been reported by other owners, suggesting a potential defect or design issue.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11735546 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
3

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of steering 2software faults 1
A recent report: Car shakes aggressively when going downhill and has been occurring since buying the vehicle. Vehicle was bought brand new has had three vehicle services to fix problem and none of the vehicles…
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Car shakes aggressively when going downhill and has been occurring since buying the vehicle. Vehicle was bought brand new has had three vehicle services to fix problem and none of the vehicles services from vermicelli dealership have fixed the vehicle problem. This causes difficulty steering and breaking.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11732062 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
10

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 5 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 3software faults 1
A recent report: The front passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) sensor wiring has failed in my 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. This failure has disabled the passenger airbag, significantly increasing the risk of injury…
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The front passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) sensor wiring has failed in my 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. This failure has disabled the passenger airbag, significantly increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. VW has advised not to allow any passengers to ride in the front passenger seat until vehicles with this error are repaired. Despite this being the same defect addressed in an existing recall, my VIN was excluded from that campaign. I have already paid $205 for diagnosis. The dealer repair estimate is $704.36, for a total out-of-pocket cost to me of $909.36. This unresolved safety issue leaves my family exposed to unnecessary risk despite the manufacturer’s awareness of the defect. I would like assistance in obtaining a full repair at no cost to me, either through an extension of the existing recall or a goodwill repair.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11744658 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
18

Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

premature wear 1loss of steering 1
A recent report: Sunroof spontaneously imploded while driving down an empty highway. Glass fell down on us and our three kids in the backseat. Remaining glass is pointing upward and outward.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763688 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
6

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 2 mention an injury.

software faults 1
A recent report: As I was stopping at a stop light the back, passenger seat lock came unlocked causing my son to fall forward into the passenger seat back and be stuck until unlocking and returning the seat to the…
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As I was stopping at a stop light the back, passenger seat lock came unlocked causing my son to fall forward into the passenger seat back and be stuck until unlocking and returning the seat to the upright position

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11749424 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 169 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2023 and 2026, roughly 57 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2024 has 169 complaints on file, more than the 2023 (131) and more than the 2025 (46). Of the 8 model years of the Volkswagen Atlas we cover, the 2019 has the most (478). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.