2021 Volkswagen Atlas · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 26owner reports
- 15,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 27, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
212 of the 466 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 26 of those describe infotainment.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head unit or screen (10 reports), the camera (5 reports), the module (3 reports) and the software (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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 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 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 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.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“The electric board goes black frequently. Also, my backup camera and assistive device for backup doesnât work. It starts and stops after a second. Posing a big problem with backing up because I have neck injury and canât adequately see.”
Filed Jun 28, 2026
“If you have the driver or passenger window down and try to roll it back up, it will roll all the way down before being able to roll back up. Stereo screen blacks out often while driving and wonât turn back on until you turn off and restart the car. Apple CarPlay wonât let the music selection display on the screen. I could go on and on and on. I hate this car and am almost 100% sure I got a lemon.”
Filed Mar 14, 2025
“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.”
Filed Sep 2, 2024
“Engine cuts off at slow speeds or at a stop. Engine failure requires placing vehicle in park and restarting. This occurs at least once per day. Display notes that vehicle requires manual restart. Took to dealer and they advised nothing was wrong.”
Filed Feb 3, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 95 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 64 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 59 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 38 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 35 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 32 reports