Volkswagen

Atlas

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · model years 2018 to 2025

See all 14 Atlas trims All Volkswagen cars

The verdict

Best year: 2023. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 112; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 6.

Worst year: 2019. complaints: 457, about 4.1x this model's typical 112; recalls: 11, about 1.8x 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	Top complaints
2018	2Gas	22	259	$2,850	0	0	2	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 112 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 6 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	2Gas	20.5	258	$3,075	11	457	3 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 21%, SERVICE BRAKES 11%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11%
complaints: 457, about 4.1x this model's typical 112 recalls: 11, about 1.8x 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	0	0	2	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 112 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 6 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	2Gas	20.5	256	$3,075	17	433	1	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, SERVICE BRAKES 13%, ENGINE 11%
complaints: 433, about 3.9x this model's typical 112 recalls: 17, about 2.8x this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 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	164	1	ENGINE 18%, SERVICE BRAKES 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%
complaints: 164, above this model's typical 112 recalls: 7, above this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 51 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	2Gas	21.5	256	$2,900	0	0	1	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 112 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 6 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Gas	23	269	$2,700	7	150	0	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, SERVICE BRAKES 16%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 12%
complaints: 150, about 2.7x this model's typical 56 recalls: 7, above this model's typical 6 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 Score: 18 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Gas	22	270	$2,850	4	30	0	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, POWER TRAIN 18%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 10%
complaints: 30, below this model's typical 56 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 6 Score: 80 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2018: 22 to 2025: 22

Owner complaints2018: 0 to 2025: 30

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.