Volkswagen Atlas problems
The Volkswagen Atlas is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen since 2017. Developed mainly for the North American and Chinese market, the vehicle is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform. Outside the US, Canadian, and Chilean markets, the vehicle is marketed as the Volkswagen Teramont. It is positioned above the long-wheelbase Tiguan and below the smaller but more upmarket Touareg.
Overview
Marketed as the Atlas in North America, Chile, and Israel, the vehicle is known as the Teramont elsewhere, including the rest of the Middle East Africa, as well as in Mexico, Russia, Colombia and China, where production in Ningbo began in 2017. For markets outside China, the Atlas/Teramont is produced in the Chattanooga plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States.
The vehicle features a transverse mounted four-cylinder or Volkswagen's VR6 engine. Up to the introduction of the China-only Viloran, the Atlas was the largest vehicle produced on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform.
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Volkswagen Atlas model years
Common Volkswagen Atlas problems
The Volkswagen Atlas, a midsize SUV with a starting price in the $30,000 range, has faced several common problems affecting its braking system, transmission, electrical system, engine, and fuel system. These issues have been reported by owners of 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 models.
- Braking System: The automated emergency brake system (AEB) is known to suddenly brake for no reason, increasing the risk of accidents on the road. Additionally, brakes may squeal in cold weather.
- Transmission: Loud noises coming from the automatic transmission, usually when accelerating from a stop or low speed, have been reported by owners. This issue is particularly prevalent in 2018 models, which have the most overall complaints and are rated as the worst model year.
- Electrical System: Volkswagen Atlas models equipped with a start-stop system have been experiencing battery drainage, sometimes within just 2 months. In some cases, the defective electrical system has also caused transmission failure. A clockspring, which is an electrical rotary part of the steering system, has also been heard making noises when steering. The 2021 model year has gained notoriety for a faulty electrical system, with over 90 electric system complaints, including faulty service brakes, defective door sensors, and a wonky stop-start technology.
- Engine & Fuel System: Many Atlas owners have complained about the check engine light illuminating randomly. Engine stalling caused by a fuel system leak increases the chance of fire risk, with faulty fuel injectors cracking and leaking. A recent recall has been issued for this problem. Another important related fuel problem is faulty fuel pumps causing engine stalling and power loss, which is usually covered by the warranty and can be fixed by simply replacing the fuel pump.
- Coolant: Coolant leaking might result in the engine overheating, potentially causing damage. This problem is usually caused by faulty head gaskets, coolant tanks, and water pumps.
These common problems with the Volkswagen Atlas have led to numerous complaints and recalls, affecting the reliability and safety of the vehicle. Owners of these models may be entitled to compensation or a buyback under California's lemon law, which is designed to protect consumers from defective vehicles.
Do VW Atlas have problems?
The 2021 Atlas has gained notoriety for one particular issue: a faulty electrical system. Since the electrical system controls many interior tech and safety features, a flawed system can spell a frustrating or even dangerous driving experience.
Is the Volkswagen Atlas a reliable vehicle?
Volkswagen Atlases rank near the middle of the pack in terms of reliability. Overall reliability often stems from an affordable cost of ownership, high safety ratings, above-average fuel efficiency, below-average repair costs, and measured dependability.
How long does a VW Atlas last?
200,000 miles
With proper maintenance, a Volkswagen Atlas can last well over 200,000 miles. Its longevity speaks to Volkswagen's commitment to durability and quality, making it a smart investment for the long haul.
What is the defect in the VW Atlas?
Broken down, the issue currently within the engine of the vehicle mainly takes place with the connecting rod bearing failure, which could cause catastrophic engine failure. If the issue is ignored, it could lead to further catastrophic damage to the engine and can cause a fire.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Volkswagen Atlas years
We have researched Volkswagen problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Volkswagen Atlas cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Volkswagen Atlas model years:
- Volkswagen Atlas 2018
- Volkswagen Atlas 2019
- Volkswagen Atlas 2021
- Volkswagen Atlas 2022
- Volkswagen Atlas 2023
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Volkswagen Atlas model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Volkswagen Atlas years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Volkswagen Atlas car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Volkswagen Atlas , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Service brakes problems
- Engine problems
- Forward collision avoidance problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Volkswagen Atlas vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Atlas model years
A total of 18 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Atlas model years
There were a total of 3 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Atlas model years
There were a total of 37 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 1263 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Volkswagen Atlas . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Volkswagen Atlas vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Volkswagen Atlas 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-26
- VIN: 1V2DR2CA1RC
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Vehicle has randomly applied emergency breaking with the Forward Collision Warning System activating when no vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or objects were present to initiate this safety feature. This has happened in October of 2023, March of 2024, and August of 2024. Infotainment System has been replaced once to address several issues. These issues have not being resolved. Vehicle is currently at VW for the 9th+ time to rectify multiple issues with vehicle. Have started the Lemon Law process for this vehicle.
Volkswagen Atlas 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-24
- VIN: 1V2JP2CA7PC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I bought my car about 5 months ago. 3 weeks ago while merging onto the beltway, MY CAR SHUT OFF. I took it to the dealership and they kept it 9 days. They did absolutely NOTHING. I contacted corporate they are doing NOTHING. this has happened twice. It's an intermittent issue and all VW has to say is that "since there is no fault code and they cannot duplicate the issue" there's nothing they can do. Online I've found several others with the same issue. I sent screenshots and links to YouTube videos of several others with the SAME issue and they still do not care. I told them what other dealers did to fix this safety issue and they won't do anything, even though the car is under warranty. They told me the car is fine even though I was nearly in a 4 car accident. This is a MAJOR safety issue in VW cars. My car note is $950 and I don't feel safe driving my car.
Volkswagen Atlas 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-23
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-23
- VIN: 1V2PR2CA3MC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I have had issue after issue with this car ever since I got it. Within the first year of my lease, my car was at the dealership for 4 to 5 months. Most of it in one long stint. The vehicle was consistently having problems. All the while, I’m paying for a car I wasn’t even able to drive for a huge chunk of year 1. One time, the car completely shut down and stopped in the middle of the freeway with my three young children in the car with me. The brakes on this car have been an issue since I bought it as well. Not only have the brakes squeaked the entire time I’ve owned the car, VW has since come out and said that the brakes are defective but they’re unwilling to offer any solution. There have been factory issues with this vehicle many many times that have caused real safety issues. Rarely did Volkswagon actually offer any sort of fix or realistic timeline for when I can expect things to be addressed. Even in some cases, they just completely ignored me as if I’m just a number and not an actual customer Who drives his children in this car. This was my third Volkswagen. I have always sang the praises of VW. But this experience has quite literally made me never want to buy another Volkswagon product again. I have about nine payments remaining on my lease and I am anxious to move on to a better safer vehicle with a brand that does right by the consumer. Volkswagon told me that even with all of what I’ve been through with Volkswagon, which is on the record by the way in the form of repair orders, as well as cost to customer service, I did not qualify for a buyback on my vehicle. Nor would they let me just return my lease. The dealership has basically said that their hands are tied. And corporate has repeatedly done nothing, and turned me away. I asked that you guys step in not only for me in particular, but for all the other Volkswagon owners who are unhappy. And there are many. Especially those who drive the same make, and model is me, the atlas. Thank you.
Volkswagen Atlas 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-31
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 1V2KR2CA6PC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: There have been issues with my control panel/radio multiple times since purchasing this vehicle May 2023. At least twice, the control panel went black while I was driving, or backing, and would only reset after placing car in park and turning car off and back on. The issue was reported to dealer who said they couldn't recreate it and the system was up to date, so no help/fix. These occurred before the 10k mile service at dealership. A different time, the radio went silent and the control panel froze. The functionality only returned after doing a "hard reset" , as suggested in an online forum. Turning the vehicle on and off did not help. There was at least one other instance when the sound and functionality of the radio/media options completed shut off for several minutes before resetting itself while I was driving and unable to pull over to turn the vehicle on/off.
Volkswagen Atlas 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-21
- VIN: 1V2FR2CA8MC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: Brought car in for a noise 12k miles ago and dealer said all was well. I then brought the car back and they heard the sound, wanted to explore and take apart the engine and found I have a collapsed lifter on the exhaust cam which if a defect, should be completely covered by the manufacturer not just a portion of the repair. Also, this could cause further issues and damage with the car which is concerning since it had been going on for some time. I am just looking to see what further resolution can be made in regard to this. My car is still in the shop since last week. The dealership has been great in allowing me to have a loaner vehicle but I just want to make sure I don’t have more major issues form this not being taken care of as soon as it should have been.
Volkswagen Atlas 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-20
- VIN: 1V2GR2CA8KC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The car would state, “Do not exit the car unless it is in park.” “Transmission is in safety mode.” Appointment was made and over July 17th. Part was not in until August 15th. This presents a danger for Atlas drivers if the shifter fails and the car could roll. Volkswagon had a similar recall for Golf, Beetle, and Jetta models.
Volkswagen Atlas 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-19
- VIN: 1V2ER2CA8MC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Brakes had to be replaced at only 19,500 miles and now the car has 38,000 miles and they sound horrible again. The entire time I’ve had this car the brakes have made squealing and grinding noises. The VW dealer couldn’t access VW brakes last year due to shortage so put after market rotors on my car without my permission. I had a loaner and they called and told me my car was “ready” out of the blue. Horrible experiences. Will never buy a VW again.
Volkswagen Atlas 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-19
- VIN: 1V2KP2CAXMC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The LED parking light stopped working and we can change the entire headlight. About 1500$
Volkswagen Atlas 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-18
- VIN: 1V2KR2CA2NC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V646000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Volkswagen Atlas 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-18
- VIN: 1V2AR2CA7NC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Volkswagen Atlas 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-17
- VIN: 1V2BR2CAXRC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Infotainment System issue-basically the screen that controls the vehicle- apple car play (maps, phone, talk to text),radio, climate control etc. Screen pixelates and goes completely black losing maps, talk to text, phone etc. We have had the vehicle in 3 times. There is NO FIX from VW at this time. They replaced the screen and it continues to happen. Safety-can't talk to text, make phone calls (illegal to do in Michigan via your actual phone). Maps - goes black. Can't find how to get somewhere. We have been to service-VW doesn't have a fix at this time. Vehicle was purchased brand new April 2024. This problem started at 4 days old with 32 miles on it. No warning. Just goes black or starts to pixelate randomly
Volkswagen Atlas 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-16
- VIN: 1V2LR2CA7RC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: I have a 2024 VW Atlas and the infotainment screen sporadically goes pixelated and it is very hard to use the touchscreen controls. When this happens the rearview camera is also impossible to use as the screen is all scrambled. I have in Massachusetts and now since it cold in the morning if the screen is scrambled it makes it very hard to control the heat and turn on the defroster. I will have to let my car sit in my driveway running for at least 20 minutes before I can see out the window. The car has been to VW 3 times now and nothing has been resolved. They are now telling me that they are waiting on a new software updated that will happen mid December. This is a major safety issue and needs to be resolved immediately. Looking online this is a MAJOR problem that VW is aware of but don't have a resolution to.
Volkswagen Atlas 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-16
- VIN: 1V2KP2CA3MC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000(Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Volkswagen Atlas 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-07
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: 1V2AR2CA0JC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The rack and pinion failed, and the steering wheel was very difficult to move and maneuver. According to the service advisor, it is known that if the Rack and Pinion is immersed in water due to floods, that causes the electronics of the system to fail. This causes the steering wheel to become very stiff and it is very hard to maneuver the car. Rain is very common in all parts of the world, including in Puerto Rico, and it is not safe to be driving a car that could 'lock' the steering wheel in any random occasion after a pouring rain event.
Volkswagen Atlas 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-19
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-14
- VIN: 1V2TR2CA7MC
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: Tire: Continental CrossContact LX Sport 255/50 R20 105T Incident Description: While traveling about 65mph, in the center lane of I-40, under clear weather conditions, the vehicle, a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium, experienced a sudden and catastrophic failure of the left rear tire. No object or pothole was hit in the road. The failure was characterized by a loud noise, an immediate deceleration of the vehicle, and significant vibrations. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. Actions Taken: The vehicle was safely maneuvered from the center lane to the right shoulder of the highway without further incident. Upon exiting the vehicle, a visual inspection revealed that the left rear tire had exploded, causing extensive damage to the vehicle’s left side. The damage included significant harm to the wheel well, rear suspension, and other structural and mechanical components. Additionally, remnants of the tire were found in the middle of the highway that were unable to be retrieved safely. Subsequent Measures: The vehicle was towed from the scene on a flatbed truck to a repair center and damage was repaired. Tire was submitted to Continental for review under a property damage claim. Continental declined culpability, citing potential previous damage to the tire sidewall that may not have been visible. Tire had no visible damage prior to the blow-out.
Latest 5 recalls Volkswagen Atlas
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 63 recalls for different components of the Volkswagen Atlas.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Volkswagen Atlas 2024
- Report Received Date: 2024-09-27
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been assembled with an incorrect secondary piston spring retainer, which can block the brake fluid port.
- Consequence: 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen Customer Relations at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 471F.
- Model: Volkswagen Atlas 2024
- Report Received Date: 2024-06-27
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
- Summary: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence: 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.
- Model: Volkswagen Atlas 2023
- Report Received Date: 2024-06-20
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
- 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, October 18, 2024, and December 31, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.
- Model: Volkswagen Atlas 2024
- Report Received Date: 2024-06-20
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
- 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, October 18, 2024, and December 31, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.
- Model: Volkswagen Atlas 2021
- Report Received Date: 2024-06-20
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
- 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, October 18, 2024, and December 31, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.
Latest negative Volkswagen Atlas car reviews
Latest positive Volkswagen Atlas car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2018
After inspecting most, I test drove only two vehicles: the Honda Pilot and this one. I keep my vehicles for 8-10 years and pass them down to my kids, so I look for materials that can withstand day-to-day usage and won't look tattered early on. This vehicle beat them all. The technology exceeded my expectations. Syncing my cell phone to the unit was flawless and a great addition. The acceleration is highly underrated. I love the engine purr when taking off from a stop; it's very sports car-like. The interior size is unbeatable, with enough space in the back to put an airbed and sleep comfortably. It's about 6ft 8inch long. The seats hug your body in the turns, and I appreciate the simplistic and elegant interior design. I don't want to feel like I'm driving sitting in my living room furniture. You have to be a good negotiator, but I beat out the Honda Pilot in cost by far, acquiring it at around $34K. The comparable Honda was over $40K.
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Vehicle year: 2018
We've put 12,000 miles on the car in just six months and it continues to impress us. Whether we're doing long freeway runs or school runs, the V6 delivers its power in such a smooth way that it never feels short of power. The interior is perfect for families and is just that bit better than any other SUV out there. Despite its size, it still drives like a much smaller vehicle. The adaptive cruise control and lane control make highway driving a pleasure, and with winter tires on, it seems to defeat any ice and snow that we have seen so far. For the price, it is one of the best SUVs available, and as longtime VW customers, we couldn't be happier with it. UPDATE - 72,000 miles. Overall, this has been a great vehicle for us. We've had a few recalls, but as we had an early version, that was to be expected. The only bad item has been VW's poor handling of their CarNet problems resulting from the 3G rollback. No one at VW seems to want to take ownership of this on a new vehicle model. UPDATE - 90,000 miles. Although there has been no proper resolution on the 3G rollback, VW corp did give us a device that replicates many of the functions. The car is still going strong with minimal problems. At long last, the dealer resolved a gremlin we had with the blind spot monitors turning themselves off. We're still very pleased with the vehicle, and a good number of our friends have purchased one after seeing ours.
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Vehicle year: 2024
I was considering buying the VW Cross Sport, but I wanted to test out the Atlas. I was pleasantly surprised by the acceleration and safety features. The handling is great, and it feels very comfortable. The size is just right, and the appearance is eye-catching, especially at night. I really appreciate the ambient lighting and the variety of colors to choose from. Overall, I'm really enjoying my SUV so far!
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Vehicle year: 2023
The vehicle is really nice. It has lots of great new features.
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Vehicle year: 2020
I have to admit, I used to dislike minivans, but I've come to appreciate what they offer, even though they can feel a bit clunky to drive. When it came to finding a car for our family of four plus two dogs, I was looking for a sporty SUV with three rows that could accommodate my 6'4'' husband's long torso. We tried out several models, including the Audi, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, and Infiniti, but none of them seemed to fit the bill. That is, until we discovered the new Atlas. Not only did it feel like a German sports car when driving through traffic, but it was also incredibly comfortable, which is important for my 60-mile daily commute. We've even taken it on long car trips and it easily fit all of our luggage and my daughter's camp trunk. Plus, it can comfortably seat six kids and both my husband and me. The instrument panel is also conveniently located and easy to reach, unlike some of the other models we tried. The only downside is the small tank, which means filling up more frequently, but given all the other advantages, I can live with it. All in all, I absolutely love this car and would definitely buy it again.
Are you having problems with your Volkswagen Atlas?
Darrin Bayer 2025-08-21
Vehicle year: 2022
I really enjoy VW products, but unfortunately, this particular car model has a bulky front. Additionally, we had a negative experience with the dealers which led us to cancel our purchase. We were looking for a dark green car with brown interior and specific options, but unfortunately, none of the dealers were willing to order the car for us. Instead, they were focused on selling us a car from their inventory. Furthermore, the advertised VW special financing did not apply to the car we wanted. Despite having excellent credit and planning to pay in cash, we were unable to proceed with the purchase. This was a disappointing experience for us and we hope that VW will work on improving their dealerships to increase sales in the future.
Mervin Konopelski 2025-08-15
Vehicle year: 2018
I purchased my 2018 SE 4motion R-Line Atlas from Leith in Raleigh, NC. Unfortunately, within two weeks of owning it, the fuel pump broke and both the engine light and EPC lights turned on, causing me to lose engine power. Despite calling for road assistance, nobody showed up after two hours. When I went to the service center, they didn't have the necessary parts to fix the issue. It's been frustrating to have so many issues with my car, especially after driving it only 900 miles. When I reached out to my dealership to express my concerns, I was told that since I bought the car, I own it. Despite these setbacks, I'm hopeful that the issues will be resolved soon.
Carey Schiller 2025-08-11
Vehicle year: 2018
My experience with the Atlas has been disappointing. The car has been in the shop for a total of 60 days and I was just informed that the part needed for repair won't be available until October. Despite paying for a fully equipped Atlas, I have been driving a basic Golf without GPS for the past 60 days. This has been a major inconvenience for my wife who relies on in-dash GPS to get around. Unfortunately, we were unable to get an Atlas loaner due to high demand. Given the uncertainty and inconvenience associated with owning an Atlas, I would recommend exploring other SUV options.
Isaiah Kulas 2025-07-29
Vehicle year: 2022
Hi there! I recently took my 6 month old VW Atlas back to the dealership due to some electrical issues. These issues included the parking brake engaging while driving, alarms going off, windows getting stuck down, and cruise control not working. After some investigation, the dealer determined that a door wiring harness was needed. Unfortunately, the part is currently on backorder and they don't have a timetable for when it will arrive and the repair can be made. It seems like this issue is quite common. Based on my experience, I would recommend avoiding purchasing this vehicle until VW figures out a solution. Thanks for listening!
Raymundo Swift 2025-07-25
Vehicle year: 2018
I am sorry to hear about the issues you have been experiencing with your car. It must be frustrating to have the check engine light come on so frequently. It sounds like the service department has been trying their best to fix the issue, but unfortunately, it has not been resolved yet. I understand that it is inconvenient to have to bring your car in for service so often and to have to use a loaner car that may not be the size you need. I hope that the dealership can find a solution for you soon and get you back on the road in a car that meets your needs. Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this process.