SUV, gasoline, AWD/All-Wheel Drive, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Jul 12, 2020 to Sep 30, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V-464 | Jun 20, 2024 | Passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied | Airbags | 271,330 | Part replacement |
| 23V-215 | Mar 29, 2023 | Passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied | Airbags | 143,053 | Part replacement |
| 22V-815 | Oct 31, 2022 | Tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously | Tires | 296,044 | Software update |
| 22V-514 | Jul 20, 2022 | Manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display | Back-over prevention | 43,091 | Software update |
| 22V-245 | Apr 13, 2022 | Long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters | Fuel system | 1,382 | Part replacement |
| 22V-152 | Mar 28, 2022 | Door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger… | Airbags | 222,892 | Part replacement |
| 22V-086 | Feb 16, 2022 | Reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed | Equipment | 3,648 | Repair or modification |
| 21V-892 | Nov 17, 2021 | Air conditioning system drain tube could be blocked, causing water to leak inside the vehicle near the air bag control module | Airbags | 54,429 | Part replacement |
| 21V-812 | Oct 15, 2021 | Front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened | Suspension | 30 | Part replacement |
| 21V-616 | Aug 6, 2021 | Damaged relays may have been installed in the engine compartment fuse box, which could inadvertently activate the horn or engine starter | Electrical system | 33 | Part replacement |
| 21V-132 | Mar 3, 2021 | Lug bolt holes on the wheels may have been machined incorrectly, preventing the wheel bolt from sufficiently attaching to the wheel bearing hub | Wheels | 128 | Part replacement |
| 21V-026 | Jan 27, 2021 | Front steering knuckle may fracture in the area of the strut mounting | Steering | 10,303 | Part replacement |
| 20V-716 | Nov 18, 2020 | Rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze | Back-over prevention | 32,048 | Software update |
| 20V-712 | Nov 17, 2020 | One or both steering knuckles may have been damaged during productionDo not drive | Steering | 776 | Part replacement |
| 20V-702 | Nov 13, 2020 | Tires may have been over cured | Tires | 760 | Part replacement |
| 20V-505 | Aug 26, 2020 | Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly | Seats | 5,376 | Part replacement |
| 20V-504 | Aug 26, 2020 | Driver's side headlight may have been aimed too low during production | Lighting | 11 | Repair or modification |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
475 complaints on file, page 1 of 24.
A car cut in front of me and I swerved to avoid a crash and hit the street curb. My right front tire blew and all curtain airbags blew. I was able to coast forward and turn into a parking lot entrance driveway. The impact was not large enough to damage the rim and simply blew the tire. In my opinion this was not a large enough impact to require airbag deployment and presented a dangerous situation where all the airbags made it impossible to see while needing to continue control of the car.
NHTSA complaint 11768060Malfunctioning Component/System: The vehicle is experiencing two separate, severe safety malfunctions: Issue 1 (Engine Stalling): The engine completely shuts off while the vehicle is actively in "Drive." Issue 2 (Unintended Lockout): The vehicle automatically locks all doors with the keys inside, even when the engine is off and doors are being actively used. Safety Risk to Others: Issue 1: The sudden engine shutoffs occur while waiting at stoplights, stop signs, or in moving school student drop-off zones. This creates an immediate risk of a rear-end collision or being stranded in active traffic. Issue 2: This defect creates a critical life-safety hazard for children. While the car was parked and turned off, I placed my purse (containing the keys) on the passenger side and buckled my children into their car seats. Upon closing the rear door, the vehicle instantly locked itself, trapping my young children inside a completely turned-off, locked vehicle while leaving me stranded outside. This presents a severe risk of child entrapment, extreme cabin heat, or delayed rescue in an emergency. 3. Dealer Confirmation & Reproduction: Because both issues occur intermittently, they are difficult to reproduce on command. The vehicle will be scheduled to be brought to an authorized Volkswagen dealership to scan for historical fault codes alongside an open PODS recall repair. However, please note the dealership says this takes 4 hours, which makes it very difficult to schedule. 4. External Inspections: The vehicle has not yet been formally inspected regarding these specific failures by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives prior to this filing. Warning Lamps, Messages, and Symptoms: Issue 1 (Stalling): The vehicle shuts down without any prior shuddering or mechanical warning signs. Issue 2 (Lockout): The central locking system gives no audible warning or delay This has been ongoing since late 2024, with most recent occurrence today.
NHTSA complaint 11767978Drivers side daytime running light failed under normal use.
NHTSA complaint 11766860The vehicle’s 5F infotainment control module intermittently/continually fails, causing loss of the center display and backup camera. The vehicle has been diagnosed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer as requiring replacement of the 5F module. The replacement module is currently back-ordered. This is a safety concern because the failure causes loss of the rearview camera.
NHTSA complaint 11765934The vehicle stalls at slow speeds requiring the driver to place it in “park” and manually restart it.
NHTSA complaint 11764308There was a failure of the air conditioner condensation drain line, resulting in saturation of the interior carpet and padding. This situation was confirmed by the dealer today. There was a prior recall for this issue in 2022, at which time our car was inspected by the dealer. According to the recall notice, this issue may cause air bags to deploy. Fortunately in our case they did not, but we are concerned about Volkswagon’s ability to adequately inspect and repair the problem. In addition, the interior of our car has experienced significant water damage as a result of the clogged line.
NHTSA complaint 11764240Daytime Running Lamps inoperable
NHTSA complaint 11764148My 2021 Volkswagen Atlas experienced an unexpected engine malfunction and entered limp mode while idling in park. An official diagnostic scan confirmed active fault code P10B300 (monitoring of fuel injector for cylinder failure detected); requiring a complete fuel injector, and harness replacement quoted at $2600. This identical component failure and model year match the exact parameters of VW safety recall 24iD (NHTSA campaign 22V245000) which addresses Atlas fuel injectors manufactured without internal filters. Volkswagen customer care has rigidly refused to cover this safety defect because my specific VIN falls outside their narrow production tracking dates, despite suffering the identical mechanical failure. I request an investigation to force an expansion of the 24iD recall parameters to cover this VIN batch
NHTSA complaint 11763689Vehicle lost total control on the freeway I lost control crashed off the freeway into a ditch no airbags deployed the whole frame was total loss the entire atlas lost control No airbags as I went into a ditch hit a freeway sign and I’m still suffering nerve damage and chronic back pain
NHTSA complaint 11762777My 2021 Volkswagen Atlas at 58,000 miles the passenger side daytime running light stopped working. This is a replacement that can only be completed with an entire headlight assembly replaced the cost of a headlight assembly is between $1800- $2500 which is an astronomical amount to replace just the LED daytime running light.
NHTSA complaint 11762375Passenger side DRL has failed - requires replacement of entire headlamp assembly
NHTSA complaint 11762010The vehicle will randomly stall while driving. Mostly as you push the accelerator, it will act as though a fuel filter is clogged causing it to stall. If the vehicle manages to continue forward without stalling, it lunges forward unexpectedly and can be a significant distance. I took my vehicle in over a year ago for this issue, was told it was a "software update" issue. Vehicle was 4 years old and still under the VW remote access program. I paid almost $1,000 to get this software issue corrected. It is happening again. I am still under the VW remote access program, no warnings or updates. Two days ago, it randomly stalled in a moving lane of traffic. I was almost rear ended. It did it again yesterday at an intersection and lunged forward almost striking another vehicle. This is not a normal "maintenance" issue. There is something in the software overriding the driver. It could be in the auto stop/start feature maybe, but the canister was checked and I was told it was in great shape. I have low mileage on this vehicle. I did have a crash almost 2 years ago in which my vehicle lunged forward in freeway traffic. I had very minimal damage to the front fender because luckily, I was a distance back from the other vehicle. I had not had an accident in decades, so I second guessed myself thinking maybe I did something. But I really don't think it was. I was stopped, slightly released the brake when it jumped.
NHTSA complaint 11760887The hood release cable on my 2021 Volkswagen broke, making it impossible to open the hood using the interior release handle. This type of part should not fail on a relatively new vehicle under normal use. Based on my research, many other Volkswagen owners have reported similar hood release cable failures online, which suggests this may be a widespread issue rather than an isolated failure. This is a safety concern because a broken hood release cable prevents access to the engine compartment when inspection, maintenance, or emergency access may be necessary. Volkswagen should investigate this recurring failure and cover the cost of the repair. I believe NHTSA should investigate whether this defect warrants a safety recall.
NHTSA complaint 11760535The hood release cable on my 2021 Volkswagen Atlas failed during normal use, making it impossible to open the hood or access the engine compartment. I took the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealership, where the cable was replaced. The Volkswagen service advisor told me this is a common issue on 2021–2023 Atlas models. Volkswagen of America subsequently denied my request for reimbursement based on the vehicle’s age and mileage. I am reporting this because failure of the hood release mechanism creates a safety concern. When the cable fails, the owner cannot access the battery, coolant, oil or engine compartment. In an emergency involving overheating, smoke, a dead battery, fluid loss or another mechanical problem, there is no way for the driver to access the engine compartment. There was no warning before the cable failed. Other 2021 Atlas owners have reported similar hood release cable failures to NHTSA, including complaints #11743559, #11735490 and #11755775. Volkswagen has also previously issued manufacturer communications concerning an inoperative hood release/cable disconnection on the 2021 Atlas. Given these similar reports and my Volkswagen dealer’s statement that this is a common problem on 2021–2023 Atlas models, I am concerned this is a recurring component defect rather than normal wear and tear. I am requesting that NHTSA evaluate whether this issue warrants further investigation or a safety recall. Total paid: $301.73. Invoice available but I am unable to upload it to this form.
NHTSA complaint 11760309My 2021 Volkswagen Atlas had no problems with the emergency call/SOS system before this incident. Volkswagen prompted me through the vehicle to install a software update. I accepted and completed the Volkswagen software update as instructed. Immediately after the update finished, the SOS indicator turned red and the vehicle displayed the warning: “Emergency call function limited. Please service vehicle.” The problem did not exist before the software update and began immediately after the update was completed. I took the vehicle to Ewald Volkswagen in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. The dealer diagnosed a failed J949 emergency call module and quoted $1,028.80 to replace it. The dealer advised me that the software update likely caused the module failure, but stated that the vehicle is out of warranty and Volkswagen would not cover the repair through the dealership. I declined the repair because the emergency call module was functioning normally before Volkswagen instructed me to perform the software update. The failure occurred immediately after installing Volkswagen’s update. This is a safety concern because the vehicle now indicates that the emergency call function is limited, meaning the vehicle’s automatic or manual emergency-call capability may not function properly during a crash or other emergency. I am reporting this because a Volkswagen-issued software update appears to have caused the failure of a safety-related emergency communication system.
NHTSA complaint 11760126LED DRL headlight on the passenger side failed at 35k miles. That little, single LED light cannot be replaced without replacing the entire headlight system, which costs almost $2k and requires removing the bumper! Negligent design that conveniently happens once the warranty expired, and despite the low miles of my vehicle. (these are supposed to last to 50k-70k)
NHTSA complaint 117601042021 Volkswagen Atlas—VIN 1V2AP2CA0MC565982. Vehicle manufactured 02/2021. Airbag warning light illuminated. Volkswagen dealer diagnosed the airbag control module as wet and shorted due to water leaking into the vehicle from the A/C drain. This appears identical to the defect described by Volkswagen Safety Recall 87H4 / NHTSA 21V-892. Recall 87H4 includes certain 2021 Atlas vehicles manufactured during this period; however, Volkswagen states this VIN is not included. I am concerned the affected VIN population may have been defined too narrowly because this vehicle has experienced the same safety-related failure mechanism described in the recall. Please see attached VW dealer diagnosis and build sticker image. Also available is video from tech if needed.
NHTSA complaint 11759827Headlight LED DRLs went out on passenger side at only 60k miles. To fix, the whole headlight would need to be replaced which is >$1k. LED bulbs should last much longer and there are many other instances of the same problem from other owners across various forums. Seems like this is a VW issue and should warrant a recall.
NHTSA complaint 11758990The engine stalls randomly while in motion. When this happens, an error gets presented on the dashboard asking the driver to restart it manually. This has occurred when driving forward and backing up. This car was purchased at CarMax and serviced through the extended warranty. However, a few weeks later the problem started happening again.
NHTSA complaint 11758724My vehicle prompted me to do an update on software. As soon as I completed this my SOS button turned red. I immediately contacted my Volkswagen app and told them what was going on I was instructed that they did not see anything on their end that I would need to take it to a dealer and let them check it out upon my arrival at the Dealer they’re telling me that my module needs to be replaced please note that I have no issues with my SOS button until I was prompt to update . This is definitely a safety concern being that I’m paying for an emergency button that is not operable at this time I feel that this should be Volkswagen should pay for the cost of this because I would’ve never hit update if I knew it was gonna cause these issues I feel unsafe in my vehicle based on Volkswagen pump me to push the button thank you
NHTSA complaint 11758472Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.