2021 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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Common 2021 Volkswagen Atlas problems
The Volkswagen Atlas, a midsize SUV popular for its functionality and size, has faced several common problems across its 2018-2021 models. These issues have been reported by Atlas owners and have affected the overall satisfaction and reliability of the vehicle.
- Transmission: Loud noises from the automatic transmission are common when accelerating from a stop or low speed. This problem has been reported across various model years, including 2021, and can affect the driving experience negatively.
- Electrical System: Volkswagen Atlas models equipped with a start-stop system have experienced battery drainage, sometimes within just 2 months. In some cases, the defective electrical system has also caused transmission failure. Additionally, a clockspring, an electrical rotary part of the steering system, has been known to make noises when steering.
- Engine & Fuel System: Many Atlas owners have reported the check engine light illuminating randomly. A more serious problem is engine stalling caused by a fuel system leak, which increases the chance of fire risk. This issue is due to faulty fuel injectors known to crack and leak, causing the engine to misfire. A recent recall has been issued to address this problem.
- Coolant: Coolant leaking is another common problem in the Volkswagen Atlas, which might result in engine overheating. This issue is usually caused by faulty head gaskets, coolant tanks, and water pumps. If this problem occurs, the low coolant light on the dashboard should alert the driver.
These common problems in the Volkswagen Atlas have resulted in numerous complaints from owners, affecting the overall satisfaction and reliability of the vehicle. While some issues have been addressed through recalls and software updates, others still persist and can impact the driving experience negatively.
What are the issues with 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.
What is the common problem in the Volkswagen Atlas?
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.
What is the error on the VW Atlas?
The issue in the recalled Atlas SUVs has caused the passenger occupant detection system to sense a malfunction and turn off the airbag when it shouldn't, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Volkswagen is not aware of any injuries related to this problem, spokesperson Mark Gillies said.
How many miles will 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 common problem in the Volkswagen Atlas?
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.
What are the issues with 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.
What is the error on the VW Atlas?
The issue in the recalled Atlas SUVs has caused the passenger occupant detection system to sense a malfunction and turn off the airbag when it shouldn't, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Volkswagen is not aware of any injuries related to this problem, spokesperson Mark Gillies said.
How long will the 2021 VW Atlas last?
A well-maintained 2021 Volkswagen Atlas can last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than some other midsize SUVs, including the Toyota Highlander.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Atlas problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Forward collision avoidance problems
- Air bags problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
The NHTSA has received 285 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles.
2024-10-23
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 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.
2024-10-21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-15
- 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.
2024-10-19
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-17
- VIN: 1V2KP2CAXMC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The LED parking light stopped working and we can change the entire headlight. About 1500$
2024-10-19
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- 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.
2024-10-16
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 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.
2024-10-14
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-19
- 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.
2024-10-02
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- VIN: 1V2WR2CAXMC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Right daytime running light went out around 60k miles.
2024-09-25
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
- VIN: 1V2WR2CA3MC
- 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. 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.
2024-09-14
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-31
- VIN: 1V2TR2CA2MC
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: after heavy rain, the forward looking radar will start stop working with no warning, cause AEB and forward warning not functioning, greatly increase risk of collision. the problem is consistent with heavy rain, but dealer refuse to do any repair because it didn't happen normally. the problem appeared on 03/31/2024, 06/30/2024, 08/18/2024 every time there is a heavy rain, with picture as proof.
2024-09-08
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- VIN: 1V2ER2CA3MC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The car stalls and turns off when operating at a slow speed, both in forward or reverse. This is a serious and potentially deadly problem. With my two young children in the car, I was turning left across three lanes of oncoming traffic. When I began to accelerate, my car stalled in the middle of the first lane. I had to figure out what happened, put it in park, restart the car and finish my turn before being hit by oncoming traffic. This has happened 2-3 times each day since this started last week. This has nothing to do with Eco mode or automatic start/stop feature. I am familiar with both of those and disengage them when I start the car. The car has approx 28k miles and is well maintained. It is still well within warranty. The check engine light came on and the code it throws is P0496 for a bad EVAP system. I took it to VW dealer and they re-created and diagnosed the problem. Essentially, the EVAP system has faulty parts and it is causing the gas tank to collapse. The EVAP canister, the purge valve and the gas tank all need to be replaced. The problem is they do not have the parts to replace the gas tank. And they have no idea when they are going to get them. Literally, no time horizon. The VW service advisor admitted that they’ve seen ‘some frequency’ with this problem lately, mainly on 2019-2023 models. It’s a parts issue, not a wear & tear nor maintenance issue. If you look this up online, you’ll see hundreds of posts about this issue with similar scary situations like mine. Couple this with the active recall already in place (passenger airbag may not deploy in an accident) and there’s no solution for that recall, either. My family feels in jeopardy every time we drive our family car. Why is there not a recall for the gas tank collapse? How can we compel VW to produce a remedy in a timely manner? This is going to be a fatal issue for some family. Please help. I am happy to document and share photos/ videos of the situation.
2024-09-07
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-07
- VIN: 1V2HR2CA1MC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Daytime running lights went out at around 72,000 miles.
2024-09-05
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-01
- VIN: 1V2TR2CA1MC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I have been having issues with GPS navigation with my car for over a year without a fix from VW. I cannot use Google Maps, Apple maps or the car's own internal maps becuase the GPS can't identify where I am on the map. When I choose a location and start directions, it doesn't know where I am, telling me to turn down wrong streets, showing my location in lakes or miles away. When I unplug my phone from the car, it works just fine. But once I'm connected to my car (either wirelessly OR through cable) the GPS then works off the car's system which cannot identify my lcoation. This is incredibly dangerous and I'm unable to know where I'm going or it will tell me to turn in the wrong place. VW is blaming this on Verizon and does not have a fix. I'm left without a working GPS for well over a year.
2024-09-02
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-29
- VIN: 1V2KR2CA4MC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: Vehicle shuts off when driving. No faults pop up on the dash until 2 days ago when i was driving on the highway and it completely turned off. Message on the screen told me to manually turn it back on but i could not. The vehicle could not turn back on.
2024-08-29
POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-22
- VIN: 1V2BR2CA4MC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: In May I brought the vehicle to the dealership because the vehicle was turning off at low speeds (exiting a parking lot) or switching from Drive to Reverse. This was in conjunction with the check engine light coming on. The dealership diagnosed it as a fuel sensor failure, which they told me was safe to drive, and they'd order the part. I went back the next week when the sensor had been received and the repair was made. Last week, the low fuel alert flashed when I knew the vehicle was not low on fuel. The alert was not stable for a few days (it turned on and then turned back off, and then on again), and the vehicle started to have the same issue of stopping at low speeds. I had it towed to the dealership because I was too worried to drive it. The dealership diagnosed it with a 'swollen and leaky gas tank'. They sent photos upon request and the gas tank appears to have a tear. It is not due to any accident or road debris. The VW dealership has recommended a complete gas tank replacement, and let me know the gas tanks are on back order and did not have a date it would be available. This is extremely dangerous situation because 1. it was leaking gas and 2. it was coming to a stop. I drive around children (my own and others) and I can't imagine if something had happened while I was in driving around a car of kids. I read on different sites (Reddit and other car sites) and it seems the stopping problem with the Atlas is somewhat common, unfortunately. I am curious if it's due to a bad gas tank or if it is a separate malfunction with the vehicle. I called the Volkswagen Care Line and was told that they were sorry, but my vehicle was no longer under warranty, so they were unable to give me any information or guidance.
2024-08-23
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-23
- VIN: 1V2KR2CA6MC
- 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 unavailable. 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.
2024-08-15
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-12
- VIN: 1V2BR2CA3MC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The vehicle would turn off randomly when stopped at a Stop sign or traffic light. It the had to be put in park and restarted. The dealership Kelly VW in Danvers, MA diagnosed the problem and this is what the invoice said. "cel is on code p0461 is active. performed tsb hooked up battery charger and updated ecm per tsb" Si, in my opinion this is at the least a potentially serious safety issue that should have warranted a recall and/or something that would be covered under the 80,000 mile or 8 year Federal Emissions Warranty
2024-08-11
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-11
- VIN: 1V2WP2CA3MC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: Engine nearly stalls at low speeds in either toward or reverse - such as in parking lots or when backing up a driveway. The car will also surge at moderate speeds (30-40 mph). Car hasn't actually stalled yet but feels like it's about to until I press on the brake. The problem occurs randomly and would be very difficult to reproduce. The transmission will also shift violently randomly during the 30 - 40 mph range.
2024-08-08
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-08
- VIN: 1V2JR2CA8MC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I am writing to inform about the ongoing issues I have been experiencing with the infotainment system in my Volkswagen Atlas 2021, which was purchased in March 2021 from Mall of Georgia Volkswagen. At the time of purchase, the drivers of this vehicle were using the following phones: iPhone 13 Pro Max (2 drivers) and iPhone 13 Pro (2 drivers) All phones were kept up to date with the latest iOS updates until November 2023. At that point, we upgraded to the following phones: iPhone 15 Pro Max (2 drivers) and iPhone 15 Pro (2 drivers), These new devices were initially running iOS 17.1.1, which was released on November 7, 2023, and were later upgraded to iOS 17.1.2 upon its release on November 30, 2023. On December 8, 2023, the first driver encountered a significant issue with installed mapping applications (Apple Maps and Google Maps), where the apps would repeatedly reroute unexpectedly. When iOS 17.2 was released on December 11, 2023, all drivers upgraded their devices to this version no later than December 15, 2023. By December 16, 2023, all drivers began to experience the same rerouting issue. To troubleshoot, we disconnected each offending phone and connected another non-used phone until all four phones had been tested. However, the problem persisted with each device. This prompted us to bring the vehicle in for service on December 21, 2023. It’s important to note that this problem does not occur in our other vehicles, which include: 2021 Toyota CR-V, 2022 Dodge Charger, and 2023 Dodge Challenger. All do not use wireless CarPlay. We attempted to connect the vehicle using only a cable, but this was unsuccessful as it forces the phone to use wireless CarPlay. Manually turning off WiFi and Bluetooth on the phones results in WiFi being automatically turned on by the vehicle, further complicating the issue. The rerouting problem continued, leading us to bring the vehicle back for servicing in January 2024 and March 2024, with no resolution as of today.
2024-08-06
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- VIN: 1V2RR2CA5MC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: VW Atlas front LED daytime running lamps stop working within first 4 years of ownership. Daytime running lamps are a standard safety feature of most new vehicles. VW dealership cost to repair $1,000, replace the entire headlight assembly. VW needs to extend warranty on this important safety feature for a vehicle designed to transport families.
2024-08-01
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-25
- VIN: 1V2AP2CA4MC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: On [XXX] my 2021 Volkswagen Atlas cut off on [XXX] at the red light and I was almost rear ended multiple times until a kind gentleman moved my car out of the intersection. It has been parked in my driveway since because the battery won't hold a charge. I had the battery tested but the machine read that something is draining the battery even without keys being in the car ignition switch. The windows goes up and down by themselves without the power being engaged. The car is surging and all of these things are included on a recall list for Volkswagen which I will include in this complaint but Volkswagen specifically Kurt O from VW Social Media said that won't do anything to help. I truly believe they are picking and choosing whose VIN number to repair and the rest are left to their own vices. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-07-29
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-28
- VIN: 1V2JR2CA3MC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My vehicle turned off while driving even though the start stop feature was deactivated. I’m scared that this might cause an accident on the highway.
2024-07-26
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-26
- VIN: 1V2TR2CA1MC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Emergency SOS error. Dealership stated that the modulator is defective. It is draining my battery and requires to be jumped off to start. I have read in VW forums that this is a known problem effecting many VW, Audi and BMW owners.
2024-07-25
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-03
- VIN: 1V2WR2CA1MC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Object, too small to be seen or causing sound on impact while driving on HWY, ruptured the gas tank, making it loose gas / heavily dripping gas. No warning on car computer. I did not notice the leak until arriving at my destination and I don’t really want to think about what could have happened. Gas dripping could have caused car go up in flames, causing severe damage to passengers, other vehicles, other people. Car was inspected at VW dealership, gas tank needed complete replacement. Same dealership advised same day another VW came into the dealership with exact same issue. VW states no warranty. I’m seriously wondering if VW gas tanks are made of such weak material / are insufficiently protected to cause such a huge safety concern.
2024-07-24
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-19
- VIN: 1V2RR2CA7MC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Was advised recall is usually sorted out within 30 days. It has been 30+ days since the official passenger airbag recall. Purchased vehicle 60 days ago, Vehicle recalled 30+ days ago— no remedy available. Passenger airbag issue— Turo, Lyft, Uber will not allow me to earn income due to NHTSA recall regulations— not drivable due to safety issue. Unemployed 30+ days as well as no transportation for family. We are stuck at home this summer with car payment and house payment we cannot pay. Hoping this complaint may help my family get back on our feet and speed up a solution to the recall on our 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SE w/motion & technology R-Design.
2024-07-20
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-06
- VIN: 1V2JR2CA1MC
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: My vehicle while driving on the highway at 65-70mph had the automatic emergency brake system engage. We came to a complete stop and if the highway was not empty could have resulted in a traumatic incident for my family and I. I called Volkswagen and they do not have a fix for this issue. This is our only vehicle and we are not comfortable driving it. It could happen again and could be worse than the first time.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 17 recalls for different components of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas.
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.
2023-03-29
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 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 March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.
2022-10-31
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
- 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 Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
2022-07-20
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- 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.
2022-04-13
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters.
- 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.
2022-03-28
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.
- 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.
2022-02-16
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- 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.
2021-11-17
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The air conditioning system drain tube could be blocked, causing water to leak inside the vehicle near the air bag control module.
- 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.
2021-10-15
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles. The front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened.
- 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.
2021-08-06
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Damaged relays may have been installed in the engine compartment fuse box, which could inadvertently activate the horn or engine starter.
- 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.
2021-03-03
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: WHEELS:RIM
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The lug bolt holes on the wheels may have been machined incorrectly, preventing the wheel bolt from sufficiently attaching to the wheel bearing hub.
- 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.
2021-01-27
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The front steering knuckle may fracture in the area of the strut mounting.
- 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.
2020-11-18
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- 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.
2020-11-17
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Park It: 1
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. One or both steering knuckles may have been damaged during production.
- 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.
2020-11-13
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: TIRES:SIDEWALL
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport and 2021 Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires, size 255/50 R 20 105 T. The tires may have been over cured.
- 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.
2020-08-26
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Atlas Cross Sports and 2021 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side headlight may have been aimed too low during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- 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.
2020-08-26
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
- 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.
Negative 2021 Volkswagen Atlas car reviews
Positive 2021 Volkswagen Atlas car reviews
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I really enjoyed everything about it! This SUV has a minimalist design, which means there aren't a lot of distractions while driving. It also has decent gas mileage, acceleration, and plenty of room for the whole family.
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We've had our atlas for about a month now and we absolutely love it! It's a beautifully designed SUV with a lot of impressive technology. Coming from a 2011 Ford Expedition, this is a huge upgrade. My mother and mother-in-law were stunned when they saw it, and I've received many compliments on the Pyrite silver metallic color. I would definitely consider buying it again.
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Great vehicle, excellent value. It's always great to hear positive feedback! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
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We bought this car when we found out we were expecting. It's safe, big enough to hold all our baby gear and extended family, and comfortable. We had a great experience with George Strong at Hendricks Volkswagen!!
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I absolutely adore my vehicle, both inside and out, and all the features it offers. While there are a few drawbacks, such as the lack of a remote push-to-start key, no navigation system (requiring the use of a phone), and only a reverse camera (no front camera), I still find it to be an excellent choice. Despite the fact that the brakes sometimes squeak loudly, I have had them serviced and checked myself, and they are in good condition. It is a bit frustrating that my 2021 model lacks some of the bells and whistles that my 2017 Ford Explorer had, but overall, I am still very happy with my purchase.
Other years of Volkswagen Atlas
Are you having problems with your 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
Cory Gerlach 2025-01-04
I have had to take my car to the dealership 9 times since July, but unfortunately, the issues have not been resolved yet. The front camera has been replaced, but it is not working as the firmware is not compatible with the software of the car. Additionally, the lane assist disengages on its own, and the front driving aides signal a crash is imminent with nothing in front of me. The front sensors either do not work at all or will not stop going through a drive-through or in traffic. Although the dealership has been great, VW corporate is taking some time to help me out. I believe there is something wrong with this car, so I would appreciate it if they could either put me in a new one or buy me out. Thank you for your understanding.
Jess Emmerich 2024-10-15
I have been waiting for a quarter panel for three months. Volkswagen Germany has informed me that the part will be delivered during the week of October 23rd. However, it did not arrive that week. When the body shop called again, they were informed that the part would be delivered during the week of November 13th. While this delay has been frustrating, I remain confident that Volkswagen will fulfill their commitment to deliver the part. I value the quality of Volkswagen vehicles and will continue to consider them in the future.
Evan Kub 2024-09-23
I am confident in my assessment of the 2021.5 Atlas SEL V6 4 motion, having purchased it new and driven it for about 13,000 miles. While the vehicle boasts impressive space, comfort, technology, and styling, unfortunately, it has been plagued by poor quality and excessive mechanical issues. Regrettably, other owners have reported similar defects, and the poor service from VW dealers in both Illinois and Florida has not helped the situation. On a positive note, I was able to trade it in for more than I originally paid for it.
Camren Ankunding 2024-07-15
After my Atlas 2021 (SEL Premium) underwent regular maintenance for the second year and two recall fixes (97GF: front door wiring Harness and 87H4: A/C drain tube), I noticed that the features of Navigation on Cockpit and CarPlay were no longer available. Previously, there was a 'map' button on the navigation menu to switch the map between Infotainment and Cockpit, but now it has been replaced with 'Music'. The Cockpit now displays 'no positioning data available' on the navigation view, and CarPlay simply does not work anymore, even after trying with two iPhones and using Apple's cable. It appears that the system was updated during the maintenance fix and these two features were intentionally removed. As a confident statement, I cannot believe that VW and the dealership would make such changes without informing their customers.
Brandon Rippin 2024-07-14
Hi there! I recently had an issue with my Bluetooth system and when I brought it up to the service department, they let me know that they've been experiencing similar issues with multiple vehicles. Unfortunately, they don't have the part to fix the issue just yet, but they assured me that they'll contact me as soon as it comes in. I was thinking, wouldn't it be great if the company and dealerships offered a no payment option until the issue is fixed? Maybe that would help the parts arrive faster! Thanks for your help.