Model year 2021 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2021 Volkswagen Atlas: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas at 18–22 mpg combined across 8 versions. NHTSA lists 17 safety recalls and 647 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as ATLAS CROSS SPORT.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Volkswagen dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 17 safety recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, newest first.
Air bags: Sensor: Occupant classification: Front passenger
NHTSA 24V464000 Reported Jun 20, 2024
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 69PZ)
- Units affected
- 271,330 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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. 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Air bags: Sensor: Occupant classification: Front passenger
NHTSA 23V215000 Reported Mar 29, 2023
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 69FB)
- Units affected
- 143,053 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Tires: Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
NHTSA 22V815000 Reported Oct 31, 2022
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. AU:45J7,VW:45J6,45J8)
- Units affected
- 296,044 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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 AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Equipment: Electrical: Infotainment: Software and 1 more component
NHTSA 22V514000 Reported Jul 20, 2022
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 91DV)
- Components
- Equipment: Electrical: Infotainment: Software; Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera
- Units affected
- 43,091 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system: Injectors
NHTSA 22V245000 Reported Apr 13, 2022
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 24iD)
- Units affected
- 1,382 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Air bags: Side/window
NHTSA 22V152000 Reported Mar 28, 2022
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 97GF)
- Units affected
- 222,892 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Equipment: Other: Labels
NHTSA 22V086000 Reported Feb 16, 2022
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 09D9)
- Units affected
- 3,648 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Air bags: Air bag/restraint control module and 1 more component
NHTSA 21V892000 Reported Nov 17, 2021
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 87H4)
- Components
- Air bags: Air bag/restraint control module; Visibility: Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
- Units affected
- 54,429 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Suspension: Front: Wheel bearing and 1 more component
NHTSA 21V812000 Reported Oct 15, 2021
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 40R7)
- Components
- Suspension: Front: Wheel bearing; Wheels: Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- Units affected
- 30 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Electrical system: Wiring: Relays/solenoids and 1 more component
NHTSA 21V616000 Reported Aug 6, 2021
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 97FR)
- Components
- Electrical system: Wiring: Relays/solenoids; Electrical system: Wiring: Fuses and circuit breakers
- Units affected
- 33 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Wheels: Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs and 1 more component
NHTSA 21V132000 Reported Mar 3, 2021
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 44Q9)
- Components
- Wheels: Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs; Wheels: Rim
- Units affected
- 128 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Steering
NHTSA 21V026000 Reported Jan 27, 2021
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 40Q7)
- Units affected
- 10,303 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera
NHTSA 20V716000 Reported Nov 18, 2020
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 91BB / 91BC)
- Units affected
- 32,048 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Steering
NHTSA 20V712000 Reported Nov 17, 2020 Do not drive
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 40Q6)
- Units affected
- 776 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Tires: Sidewall
NHTSA 20V702000 Reported Nov 13, 2020
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 44Q5)
- Units affected
- 760 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Exterior lighting: Headlights
NHTSA 20V504000 Reported Aug 26, 2020
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 94N7)
- Units affected
- 11 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Seats
NHTSA 20V505000 Reported Aug 26, 2020
- Filed by
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 72L1, 72K8, 72K9)
- Units affected
- 5,376 (estimate)
- Problem
- 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
- 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.
Full recall record on nhtsa.gov
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas owner complaints
Owners have filed 647 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, most recently on Oct 24, 2026. 18 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 19 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.
