Volkswagen

Atlas

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · model years 2018 to 2027

See all 16 Atlas trims All Volkswagen cars

The verdict

Best year: 2027. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 80; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 6.

Worst year: 2018. complaints: 466, about 2.9x this model's typical 159; recalls: 17, about 2.8x this model's typical 6.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Volkswagen Atlas
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2018	2Gas	22	259	$2,850	17	466	2	693	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, AIR BAGS 15%, ENGINE 15%
complaints: 466, about 2.9x this model's typical 159 recalls: 17, about 2.8x this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 18 NHTSA advised parking the 2018 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	2Gas	20.5	258	$3,075	12	481	3 (1 open)	641	AIR BAGS 20%, SERVICE BRAKES 11%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 481, about 3x this model's typical 159 recalls: 12, about 2x this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	2Gas	20.5	256	$3,075	4	27	2	589	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22%, AIR BAGS 16%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 14%
complaints: 27, below this model's typical 159 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 6 Score: 85 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	2Gas	20.5	256	$3,075	17	477	1	592	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, SERVICE BRAKES 12%, ENGINE 11%
complaints: 477, about 3x this model's typical 159 recalls: 17, about 2.8x this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 complaints reporting a fire: 1 NHTSA advised parking the 2021 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	2Gas	21.5	256	$2,900	7	183	1	430	ENGINE 18%, SERVICE BRAKES 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%
complaints: 183, above this model's typical 159 recalls: 7, above this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 56 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	2Gas	21.5	256	$2,900	5	135	1	314	ENGINE 18%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%
complaints: 135, below this model's typical 159 recalls: 5, below this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 68 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Gas	23	269	$2,700	8	171	0	276	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, SERVICE BRAKES 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%
complaints: 171, about 2.1x this model's typical 80 recalls: 8, above this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 14 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Gas	22	270	$3,050	5	49	0	168	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%, POWER TRAIN 16%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%
complaints: 49, below this model's typical 80 recalls: 5, below this model's typical 6 Score: 78 of 100, where higher is better.
2026	1Gas	23	no data	$2,900	2	10	0	no data	ENGINE 24%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%
complaints: 10, below this model's typical 80 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 6 NHTSA advised parking the 2026 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 65 of 100, where higher is better.
2027	1Gas	25	no data	$2,700	0	0	0	no data	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 80 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 6 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2018: 22 to 2027: 25

Owner complaints2018: 466 to 2027: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Volkswagen Atlas to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.