CarRecallWatchThe 2021 Volkswagen Atlas has 17 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 482 complaints with NHTSA, including 9 crashes, 1 fire, 12 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (151 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas recalls
Front Passenger Airbag May Switch Off When Seat Is Occupied
The passenger occupant detection system, which decides whether the front passenger airbag should be active, may develop a wiring fault.
Passenger Air Bag May Shut Off With Occupant Seated
A wiring fault in the passenger occupant detection system can cause the front passenger air bag to deactivate even when the seat is occupied.
Tire Pressure Warning May Miss All-Tire Air Loss, Raising Crash Risk
Some vehicles may not detect a sudden loss of air pressure when all four tires deflate at the same time.
Rearview Camera May Not Display Image, Raising Crash Risk
The rearview camera image may fail to appear on the infotainment screen because of a manufacturing issue with the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system.
Fuel Injectors May Leak Fuel, Raising Fire Risk
Some fuel injectors in these vehicles may have been assembled without filters.
Side Air Bag May Deploy Late in a Crash
Corrosion can develop on the electrical contacts in the front door wiring harness.
Missing Weight Label Can Lead to Overloading and Crash Risk
Certain Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs from model years 2018 to 2021 were equipped with accessory side steps, but the label showing the reduced gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which accounts for the added weight of the side steps, was not installed.
Water Leak Can Trigger Unexpected Airbag Deployment
Certain vehicles may have an air conditioning system drain tube that can become blocked, allowing water to leak inside the vehicle near the airbag control module.
Loose Front Wheel Bolts Can Cause Loss of Control
Front wheel bearing bolts may have been tightened incorrectly during assembly.
Relays may activate horn or starter, risking fire
Certain 2021 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles may have damaged relays installed in the engine compartment fuse box.
Wheels May Separate From Vehicle, Raising Crash Risk
Some wheels may have had their lug bolt holes machined incorrectly.
Front Steering Knuckle May Crack, Risking Loss of Control
Certain 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles have a front steering knuckle that may fracture in the area where the strut mounts.
Rear camera may go black or freeze, raising crash risk when reversing
The rear view camera can malfunction during an ignition cycle, causing a black screen or a frozen infotainment system.
Steering knuckle may fail, causing loss of steering
Some of these Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs may have had one or both steering knuckles damaged during production.
Tires May Blow Out or Lose Tread, Raising Crash Risk
Certain tires fitted to these vehicles, Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires in size 255/50 R20 105T, may have been over cured during manufacturing.
Driver-side headlight may be aimed too low, reducing night visibility
The driver's side headlight on certain vehicles may have been aimed too low at the factory.
Front seat backrest may break in rear-end crash
Some front seats may have parts of the seat frame and backrest adjuster that were not welded properly.
Most common 2021 Volkswagen Atlas problems
Problem areas named in the 482 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 151 |
| Service Brakes | 93 |
| Engine | 86 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 80 |
| Unknown Or Other | 77 |
| Exterior Lighting | 70 |
| Air Bags | 66 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 41 |
| Structure | 22 |
| Power Train | 15 |
What owners report
Day time running light has failed on the driverâs side. $1000 plus for the parts and labor. Reduces visibility and presents a hazard to other motorists
HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY. ÃRL LIGHT BURNT OUT RISKING MY SAFETY DAYTIME DRIVING
Purchased my vehicle from a known dealership of Volkswagen, Iâve had the vehicle for 6 months and within the first three months my SOS system stopped working. I went to have it diagnosed and they stated that there is a back order on the module for the replacement. Now Iâm experiencing a sweet smell coming from the vents, sometimes heat is interment and the windows have a film on them.
Something NHSTA should look into is an ongoing problem with the SOS system in the Volkswagen ATALS. In my case, the module was first replaced in 02/21/2025 with 46,973 miles on my 2021 Atlas SEL AWD V6. My vehicle was out of warranty so that repair cost just under $1,200.00. The module went out again and was replaced on 10/20/2025, with 56,437 miles. This repair was covered since the part was still under warranty. The module most recently went out again and was replaced on 10/15/2026, with 68,992 miles on my Atlas. The dealer covered the repair as I was approximately 500 over the warranty period. They called it a "Onetime goodwill for customer satisfaction". I never received any explanation
About a week ago I noticed that my 2021 Volkswagen atlas 2021 signature LED strip that functions as the Daytime Running Light (DRL) not working. I search online and thereâs a lot of complaints about the same problem with this car It says itâs a very common and expensive problem
2021 Volkswagen Atlas safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (15.9% rollover risk) |
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SUV FWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (13.6% rollover risk) |
2021 Volkswagen Atlas questions
Does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 17 safety recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas: Front Passenger Airbag May Switch Off When Seat Is Occupied; Passenger Air Bag May Shut Off With Occupant Seated; Tire Pressure Warning May Miss All-Tire Air Loss, Raising Crash Risk; Rearview Camera May Not Display Image, Raising Crash Risk; Fuel Injectors May Leak Fuel, Raising Fire Risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
Based on 482 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (151), Service Brakes (93), Engine (86).
How safe is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2021 Volkswagen Atlas has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.