First generation
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
The most reported problem on the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas is brake wear, with 95 complaints, usually around 10,000 miles.
- 473owner complaints
- 17recalls
- 9involved a crash
- 30,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 25, 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 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas has 473 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.2 times the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 8 Atlas model years since 2018, it has the 2nd 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 2020 and 2022
- The 2021 stands out from the model years on either side. It draws 79 complaints for each year on the road, while the 2020 draws 4 and the 2022 37.
- Top problem
- Brake wear leads with 95 of the 473 complaints (20%), ahead of airbag at 65. Brake wear tends to show up early. Of the 15 owners who gave a mileage for it, half were under about 10,000 miles and a quarter under about 8,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 17 of the 473 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 9 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 12 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 6 of 9, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag has a recall on the same system (22V-152, 23V-215 and 24V-464). Brake wear and stalling 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 2022 at 132 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 83. So far in 2026, 90 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: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 95 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
473 complaints is 2.5 times the median 2021 model on this site and 2.2 times the median 2021 SUV. Among the 6 Atlas model years here it ranks 2nd 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 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen filed 619 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. 63 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. 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.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 95 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
Airbag warning light or recall 2 bulletins · 65 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.
Inspect the front seat thorax airbag wiring end connector for damage or poor connection, updated warranty table service number.
Check engine light or misfire 50 bulletins · 33 complaints
Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
Fuel Additive to prevent sporatic misfire
48 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 Program for engine/motor control module -J623- due to cold start misfire DTC's detected.
Update Programming in Engine/Motor Control Module, DTC P054A
Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.
Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Noise from front end while driving Customer states MIL-on/Airbag light, fault U019900 and/or B101715 stored in ...
Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states fuel tank difficult to fill, pump keeps clicking off Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Noise from front end while driving Customer states ...
Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states noise from the front end Customer states MIL-on/Airbag light, fault U019900 and/or B101715 stored in ...
Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states noise from the front end Customer states MIL-on/Airbag light, fault U019900 and/or B101715 stored in ECM/Airbag memory Customer states KESSY door lock/unlock inoperative ...
Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states noise from the front end (usually right side) Customer states MIL-on/Airbag light, fault U019900 and/or B101715 ...
Plus 38 older ones not listed here.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 4 bulletins · 27 complaints
Infotainment system freezes and/or reboots, will not turn on/boot up, loses sound and/or volume controls malfunctions, Navigation malfunctions, App-Connect malfunctions, SiriusXM radio malfunctions
MIB3 Infotainment Poor Radio Quality
2 more on this problem
MIB infotainment system recovery for unresponsive condition.
False manufacturing DTC stored in MIB3 Infotainment system. No repair required.
Battery dies or the car will not start 1 bulletin · 15 complaints
Discharged Battery, Diagnosis for excessive current draw.
Airbag warning light stays on 1 bulletin · 13 complaints
Airbag Light Illuminated, DTCs Stored
Seat belt or seat problems 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
Memory seat function may become inoperative due to seat memory parameterization.
Doors, latches or locks fail 1 bulletin · 11 complaints
Door lock concern diagnosis
Complaints filed by year
132 complaints came in 2022, 4.3 times the year before. 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. Closed dec 18, 2024.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2021 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 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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on October 18, 2024, December 10, 2024, December 20, 2024, and January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.
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 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."
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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 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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
All 17 recalls on the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide One recall here carries a do-not-drive warning. What that means
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
Brake wear, with 95 of the 473 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 10,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Volkswagen Atlas problems start?
Of the 95 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 11,000 miles and half by about 30,000.
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has more complaints than both the 2020 and the 2022: 79 a year against 4 and 37.
How many 2021 Volkswagen Atlas complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
17 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for brake wear on the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
No recall on file for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas is on the same system as brake wear. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.