2021 Volkswagen Atlas: recalls and complaints

NHTSA advisory: do not driveCampaign 20V712000. NHTSA received the report on 17 Nov 2020. 776 units. Steering

Remedy of campaign 20V712000, in the NHTSA record

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.

Do-not-drive advisory: A mark on a recall campaign in the NHTSA recall file. This site shows the mark as NHTSA sets it.

NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The newest campaign is 24V464000. NHTSA received the report on 20 Jun 2024. The NHTSA record gives the component Air Bags / Sensor / Occupant Classification / Front Passenger. NHTSA has 475 complaints on file for this model year. 1 NHTSA investigation names this model year.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 24V464000, in the NHTSA record

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.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 30 Sep 2026. Recall file through 30 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

17 campaigns, newest first. 1,085,334 units in total.

24V46400020 Jun 2024Air Bags / Sensor / Occupant Classification / Front Passenger
23V21500029 Mar 2023Air Bags / Sensor / Occupant Classification / Front Passenger
22V81500031 Oct 2022Tires / Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
22V51400020 Jul 2022Equipment / Electrical / Infotainment / Software
22V24500013 Apr 2022Fuel System, Gasoline / Fuel Injection System / Injectors
22V15200028 Mar 2022Air Bags / Side/Window
22V08600016 Feb 2022Equipment / Other / Labels
21V89200017 Nov 2021Air Bags / Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
21V81200015 Oct 2021Wheels / Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
21V6160006 Aug 2021Electrical System / Wiring / Relays/Solenoids
21V1320003 Mar 2021Wheels / Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
21V02600027 Jan 2021Steering
20V71600018 Nov 2020Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera
20V71200017 Nov 2020SteeringAdvisory
20V70200013 Nov 2020Tires / Sidewall
20V50500026 Aug 2020Seats
20V50400026 Aug 2020Exterior Lighting / Headlights

24V464000Received 20 Jun 2024. 271,330 units.
Air Bags / Sensor / Occupant Classification / Front Passenger
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 69PZ. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Sep 2024.
23V215000Received 29 Mar 2023. 143,053 units.
Air Bags / Sensor / Occupant Classification / Front Passenger
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 69FB. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 22 Mar 2024.
22V815000Received 31 Oct 2022. 296,044 units.
Tires / Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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 Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number AU:45J7,VW:45J6,45J8. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 Nov 2022.
22V514000Received 20 Jul 2022. 43,091 units.
Equipment / Electrical / Infotainment / Software
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 91DV. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 2 Aug 2022.
22V245000Received 13 Apr 2022. 1,382 units.
Fuel System, Gasoline / Fuel Injection System / Injectors
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 24iD. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Jul 2022.
22V152000Received 28 Mar 2022. 222,892 units.
Air Bags / Side/Window
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 97GF. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 22 Jun 2022.
22V086000Received 16 Feb 2022. 3,648 units.
Equipment / Other / Labels
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 09D9. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 31 Mar 2022.
21V892000Received 17 Nov 2021. 54,429 units.
Air Bags / Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 87H4. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Jan 2022.
21V812000Received 15 Oct 2021. 30 units.
Wheels / Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 40R7. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 2 Nov 2021.
21V616000Received 6 Aug 2021. 33 units.
Electrical System / Wiring / Relays/Solenoids
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 97FR. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Aug 2021.
21V132000Received 3 Mar 2021. 128 units.
Wheels / Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 44Q9. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Mar 2021.
21V026000Received 27 Jan 2021. 10,303 units.
Steering
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 40Q7. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 16 Feb 2021.
20V716000Received 18 Nov 2020. 32,048 units.
Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 91BB / 91BC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Dec 2020.
20V712000Received 17 Nov 2020. 776 units.
SteeringDo-not-drive advisory
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 40Q6. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 19 Nov 2020.
20V702000Received 13 Nov 2020. 760 units.
Tires / Sidewall
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 44Q5. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Nov 2020.
20V505000Received 26 Aug 2020. 5,376 units.
Seats
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 72L1, 72K8, 72K9. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Sep 2020.
20V504000Received 26 Aug 2020. 11 units.
Exterior Lighting / Headlights
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A headlight aimed incorrectly aimed reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.. Manufacturer campaign number 94N7. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Sep 2020.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

475 complaints, 769 component mentions.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas
All 2021 vehicles

2021 Volkswagen Atlas: complaints by component, per 1,000 component mentions
Component	2021 Atlas	All 2021 vehicles	Atlas, all years	Mentions
Electrical System	195.1	131.6	158.3	150
Service Brakes	120.9	53.3	113.5	93
Engine	110.5	137.9	120.6	85
Forward Collision Avoidance	102.7	92.8	97.5	79
Unknown or Other	100.1	100.7	99.2	77
Air Bags	85.8	31.5	121.9	66
Exterior Lighting	85.8	18.9	39.7	66
Fuel/Propulsion System	53.3	46.3	46.5	41
Structure	27.3	30.1	14	21
Power Train	19.5	104	36.7	15

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 29.

Complaints that report a crash: 9
Complaints that report a fire: 1
Injuries in the complaints: 12
Deaths in the complaints: 0
Date of the newest complaint: 30 Sep 2026

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, by the year NHTSA received them. The largest year is 2022, with 132 complaints.

Investigations

NHTSA investigations that name the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
Number	Type	Subject	Component	Opened	Closed	Campaign
PE23017	Preliminary evaluation	Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking	Forward Collision Avoidance / Automatic Emergency Braking	28 Sep 2023	18 Dec 2024

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 2021 Volkswagen AtlasThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 2021 Volkswagen Atlas: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/volkswagen/atlas/2021/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 30 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 30 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 30 Sep 2026
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?: 1,085,334 units in 17 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Volkswagen Atlas have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 48 recall campaigns for the Volkswagen Atlas, model years 2018 to 2026. 17 of them name the 2021 model year.
Which component do the complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas name most often?: Electrical System: 150 of 769 component mentions, or 195.1 per 1,000. For all 2021 vehicles the figure is 131.6 per 1,000.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas open?: No. The 1 investigation that names this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.