First generation
2019 Volkswagen Atlas
The most reported problem on the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is airbag, with 141 complaints, usually around 35,000 miles.
- 480owner complaints
- 12recalls
- 7involved a crash
- 15,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Atlas doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2019 model year.
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas has 480 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.7 times the median of 281 for 2019 SUVs on this site. Of the 8 Atlas model years since 2018, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2018 and 2020
- At 60 complaints for each year on the road, the 2019 runs above the 2018 (52) and 15.6 times the 2020 (4).
- Top problem
- Airbag leads with 141 of the 480 complaints (29%), ahead of brake wear at 76. A quarter of the 30 owners who gave a mileage for airbag saw it by about 19,000 miles, and half by about 35,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 13 of the 480 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 7 reports mention a crash and 10 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 3 of 7, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag has a recall on the same system (19V-218, 22V-152 and 2 others). Brake wear and phantom braking have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2023 at 124 and have dropped every year since, to 52 in 2025. So far in 2026, 44 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: airbag warning light or recall, 141 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
480 complaints is 2.0 times the median 2019 model on this site and 1.7 times the median 2019 SUV. Among the 6 Atlas model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen filed 713 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. 49 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car, 1 of those a warranty extension. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 141 complaints
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication for the airbag control module. For trouble code DTC B1022F0. Communication with the airbag control module – J234 has failed.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 76 complaints
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation Instruction (U.S. Only)
1 more on this problem
Bake Vibration, Pulsation, Noise when braking during PDI
Passenger airbag sensor problems 1 bulletin · 27 complaints
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication with the airbag control module.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 1 bulletin · 23 complaints
Update programming for Infotainment System Malfunctions. Updated to include additional labor operation & time units in warranty table.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 6 bulletins · 17 complaints
What is and what is not a leaking suspension strut.
How to identify and when to replace a leaking strut
4 more on this problem
Some vehicles may have been produced with incorrectly manufactured front stabilizer coupling rod ball joint(s). If this condition exists in the vehicle, owners may notice a rattling or knocking sound coming from the front of the vehicle, especially while ...
Customer states MIL-on P0087, P0148 and/or P053F Customer states front suspension noise while driving MFI in cluster warning U0199 Rear tailgate strut broken/loose/detached
Customer states noise from front suspension while driving
Diagnosis and correction for front suspension strut noise.
Check engine light or misfire 33 bulletins · 16 complaints
Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
Fuel Additive to prevent sporatic misfire
31 more on this problem
Turbocharger wastegate stuck, DTCs P2563 and or P00AF stored in engine/motor control module.
Fuel additive to help with misfire faults
Update Programming in Engine/Motor Control Module, DTC P054A
Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
DTC's P053F,P0087, P0088, P1025 may set due to the high pressure fuel pump being out of time (sync).
Recommended fuel additive to avoid engine misfires.
Diagnostic aid for DTC P0088 & P1025.
Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.
Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
Customer states MIL-on P0087, P0148 and/or P053F Customer states front suspension noise while driving MFI in cluster warning U0199 Customer states fuel odor/leak in the rear part of the vehicle (without a punctured fuel tank, hoses or pipes) or difficulty ...
Plus 21 older ones not listed here.
Seat belt or seat problems 3 bulletins · 16 complaints
Memory Seat inop or unable to set basic settings.
Memory seat function may become inoperative due to seat memory parameterization.
1 more on this problem
Customer states 2nd row seat rattles while driving
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 1 bulletin · 15 complaints
For applicable 2018-2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport 3.6L Settlement Class Vehicles (NA6 warranty key), the New Vehicle Limited Warranty will be extended to cover 80% of the replacement of the Water Pump or Water Pump Gasket by an authorized Volkswagen Dealer ...
Complaints filed by year
124 complaints came in 2023. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Inadvertent automatic emergency braking. Open.
NHTSA summary
Inadvertent automatic emergency braking. Closed dec 18, 2024.
NHTSA summary
Fuel injector leak. Closed oct 3, 2022.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side impact air bag may be missing a weld at the side air bag housing.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side impact air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FK.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44R1.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The suction jet in the fuel tank may have been welded in the incorrect position allowing fuel to leak. Additionally, the vehicle may stall due to uneven fuel distribution.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BU.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y8.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J2/42J3.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
All 12 recalls on the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
Airbag, with 141 of the 480 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 35,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2019 Volkswagen Atlas problems start?
Of the 152 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 6,000 miles and half by about 15,000.
Is the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas better or worse than the 2018 and 2020?
Counted per year on the road, the 2019 has more complaints than both the 2018 and the 2020: 60 a year against 52 and 4.
How many 2019 Volkswagen Atlas complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
13 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for airbag on the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls on the same system: 19V-218, 22V-152, 23V-215 and 23V-671. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.