2024 Volkswagen Atlas
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 43 of 167 complaints (26%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 130 in 2023 to 167 in 2024.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2024 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–3,300 | 2,700–3,100 | 2,700–3,100 | 2,700–3,100 | 2,700–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–23 | 20–23 | 20–23 | 20–23 | 21–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–21 / 23–25 | 18–21 / 23–25 | 18–20 / 24–27 | 18–20 / 25–26 | 19–20 / 25–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 387–460 | 387–450 | 393–435 | 392–436 | 390–421 | |
| Complaints filed | 180 | 130 | 167 | 44 | 8 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas have?
8 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas?
Electrical: 43 of 167 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas get?
EPA rates it 20–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas?
EPA estimates $2,700–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 393 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 393 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 435 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 407 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 407 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 422 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 28 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 43 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 11 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 37 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 27 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (8)
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · Campaign 26V473000 · Jul 22, 2026
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling 2024-2026 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. The vehicles may experience a low-voltage electrical event that affects display screen functions. As a result, the rearview camera image may fail to display as intended.
Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 28, 2026.
SUSPENSION; SERVICE BRAKES · Campaign 25V434000 · Jun 26, 2025
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.) of affected vehicles may not have been correctly tightened during the manufacturing process.
Consequence: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42HX.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 25V334000 · May 22, 2025
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91SB.
ENGINE · Campaign 25V100000 · Feb 19, 2025
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces.
Consequence: A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the engine cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10X5.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 24V723000 · Sep 30, 2024
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been assembled with an incorrect secondary piston spring retainer, which can block the brake fluid port.
Consequence: An obstructed brake fluid port can cause a loss of brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2024. Additionally, vehicles that were added to the population on November 21, 2024, their letters were mailed on December 2, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen Customer Relations at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 471F.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · Campaign 24V480000 · Jun 27, 2024
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Golf R, Golf GTI, 2024 Atlas, and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The rearview camera image may be delayed or deactivated after shifting into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera with a delayed or deactivated image reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024, and July 16, 2024. Owners may contact VW customer service at 1-800-893-5298. VW's number for this recall is 91US.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · Campaign 24V464000 · Jun 21, 2024
Defect: 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. 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL · Campaign 23V593000 · Aug 23, 2023
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas PA2 and Atlas Cross Sport PA vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
Consequence: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, engine failure may cause an oil leak which can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 13i6.