2021 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 451 complaints · 17 recalls
Most-reported system: EXTERIOR LIGHTING (57 complaints · 12.6%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 8
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 11
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 2020 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution EXTERIOR LIGHTING appears in 57 of 451 owner complaints (12.6%) in this vehicle snapshot. EXTERIOR LIGHTING: 57 complaints, 12.6% of reports EXTERIOR LIGHTING 57 · 12.6% ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 56 complaints, 12.4% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 56 · 12.4% FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: 54 complaints, 12.0% of reports FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 54 · 12.0% · 3 crash reports ENGINE: 48 complaints, 10.6% of reports ENGINE 48 · 10.6% · 1 fire reports AIR BAGS: 40 complaints, 8.9% of reports AIR BAGS 40 · 8.9% · 3 crash reports SERVICE BRAKES: 35 complaints, 7.8% of reports SERVICE BRAKES 35 · 7.8% FUEL SYSTEM: 30 complaints, 6.7% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 30 · 6.7% · 1 crash reports STRUCTURE: 14 complaints, 3.1% of reports STRUCTURE 14 · 3.1% POWER TRAIN: 11 complaints, 2.4% of reports POWER TRAIN 11 · 2.4% UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 158 complaints, 35.0% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 158 · 35.0% · 4 crash reports 1 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 57 12.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 56 12.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 54 12.0% 3 crashes · 0 fires
ENGINE 48 10.6% 0 crashes · 1 fires
AIR BAGS 40 8.9% 3 crashes · 0 fires
SERVICE BRAKES 35 7.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 30 6.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
STRUCTURE 14 3.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
POWER TRAIN 11 2.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 158 35.0% 4 crashes · 1 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2020; the first recall shown was reported in Aug 2020. 2020-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2021-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 2022-Q1: 80 owner reports 80 2022-Q2: 33 owner reports 33 2022-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2022-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2023-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2023-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2023-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 2023-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2024-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2024-Q2: 28 owner reports 28 2024-Q3: 26 owner reports 26 2024-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2025-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2025-Q2: 25 owner reports 25 2025-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2025-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2026-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2026-Q2: 37 owner reports 37 2026-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 Owner reports Jul 2020 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 20V504000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V504000 Recall campaign 20V505000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V505000 Recall campaign 20V702000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V702000 Recall campaign 20V712000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V712000 Recall campaign 20V716000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V716000 Recall campaign 21V026000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V026000 Recall campaign 21V132000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V132000 Recall campaign 21V616000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V616000 Recall campaign 21V812000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V812000 Recall campaign 21V892000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V892000 Recall campaign 22V086000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V086000 Recall campaign 22V152000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V152000 Recall campaign 22V245000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V245000 Recall campaign 22V514000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V514000 Recall campaign 22V815000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V815000 Recall campaign 23V215000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V215000 Recall campaign 24V464000 ◆ Recall campaign 24V464000 Investigation PE23017 ● Investigation PE23017
  • Campaign 21V132000 was reported 16 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 21V616000 was reported 273 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 21V892000 was reported 383 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V086000 was reported 584 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V152000 was reported 514 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V245000 was reported 198 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 22V514000 was reported 126 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 23V215000 was reported 880 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 24V464000 was reported 1,329 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2020-Q3 Owner reports 2
2020-Q4 Owner reports 3
2021-Q1 Owner reports 3
2021-Q2 Owner reports 3
2021-Q3 Owner reports 6
2021-Q4 Owner reports 18
2022-Q1 Owner reports 80
2022-Q2 Owner reports 33
2022-Q3 Owner reports 11
2022-Q4 Owner reports 7
2023-Q1 Owner reports 7
2023-Q2 Owner reports 7
2023-Q3 Owner reports 12
2023-Q4 Owner reports 17
2024-Q1 Owner reports 13
2024-Q2 Owner reports 28
2024-Q3 Owner reports 26
2024-Q4 Owner reports 21
2025-Q1 Owner reports 20
2025-Q2 Owner reports 25
2025-Q3 Owner reports 23
2025-Q4 Owner reports 14
2026-Q1 Owner reports 22
2026-Q2 Owner reports 37
2026-Q3 Owner reports 13
Recall campaign 1 20V504000
Recall campaign 1 20V505000
Recall campaign 1 20V702000
Recall campaign 1 20V712000
Recall campaign 1 20V716000
Recall campaign 1 21V026000
Recall campaign 1 21V132000
Recall campaign 1 21V616000
Recall campaign 1 21V812000
Recall campaign 1 21V892000
Recall campaign 1 22V086000
Recall campaign 1 22V152000
Recall campaign 1 22V245000
Recall campaign 1 22V514000
Recall campaign 1 22V815000
Recall campaign 1 23V215000
Recall campaign 1 24V464000
Defect investigation 1 PE23017
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (17)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V504000

    Report date
    Component:
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING
    Consequence:
    A headlight aimed incorrectly aimed reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V505000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    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.
    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. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V702000

    Report date
    Component:
    TIRES
    Consequence:
    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.
    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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44Q5.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V712000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
    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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q6. Note: Owners are advised to DO NOT DRIVE the vehicle until the vehicle has been inspected and repaired if necessary.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V716000

    Report date
    Component:
    BACK OVER PREVENTION
    Consequence:
    A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q7.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V132000

    Report date
    Component:
    WHEELS
    Consequence:
    An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44Q9.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V616000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Consequence:
    A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V812000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    Consequence:
    The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40R7.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V892000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    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.
    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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 87H4.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 22V086000

    Report date
    Component:
    EQUIPMENT
    Consequence:
    Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 22V152000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
    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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97GF.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  13. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 22V245000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  14. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 22V514000

    Report date
    Component:
    BACK OVER PREVENTION
    Consequence:
    A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  15. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 22V815000

    Report date
    Component:
    TIRES
    Consequence:
    An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
    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 Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  16. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 23V215000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    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 March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  17. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 24V464000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 451 complaints · page 1 of 19

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources