Volkswagen Atlas engine problems, 2018–2027
473 of the 2,473 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Volkswagen Atlas 2018–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2021 (122), 2018 (102), 2022 (72). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Volkswagen Atlas engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 4 | 44% | — | 36 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 12 | 17% | — | 71 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 46 | 17% | — | 147 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2023 | 43 | 28% | — | 229 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 72 | 28% | — | 313 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 122 | 19% | — | 399 TSBs | the record → |
| 2020 | 12 | 9% | — | 358 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 60 | 12% | 5k | 207 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 102 | 22% | 18k | 251 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2018: 14 · 2019: 27 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 32 · 2022: 46 · 2023: 53 · 2024: 100 · 2025: 91 · 2026: 97
Across the model years, half of the 89 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 7,000 and 30,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Start/stop error occurred on dashboard and a day later the check engine came on. I took it in to get diagnosed & was told the software was recalled and needed updated. A few days later the start/stop error came back on, engine light came on, car was jerking and my engine would shut off as I am driving and would tell me to start my engine…
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The electronic power control (ECP) and check engine warning light was illuminated after driving approximately 20 to 30 minutes at 55 MPH or higher, the vehicle suddenly powered off inadvertently. The contact would restart the vehicle immediately.
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced several failures ever since it was purchased brand new. The contact stated that the automatic cruise control malfunctioned and caused the driver to slam on the brake pedal to avoid a rear collision.
1/28/19 car starts fine,drive 15 min, run 3 errands, then can't start car. Electronic display has all warning icons flashing. Battery test 50% power. Jumpstart car,epc and engine icons stay lit. Charge battery at home. Car runs fine for 2 days.
The car’s engine start/stop feature has failed multiple times while at an incomplete stop. This failure endangers the driver because the car will not drive, forcing the driver to put the car in park & manually restart the car. This failure has occurred at least 6 times, reported as the original owner of the car for 3+ years.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V100000 HighFeb 17, 2025 · 177,493 vehicles
- 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.
- 23V593000 HighAug 23, 2023 · 2,018 vehicles
- 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.
- 22V753000 HighOct 7, 2022 · 76,515 vehicles
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Jul 9, 2026
- Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- Jul 6, 2026
- For applicable 2018-2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport 3.6L Settlement Class Vehicles (NA6 warranty key), the New Vehicle Limited Warranty will be extended to cover 80% of the replacement of the Water Pump or Water Pump Gasket by an authorized Volkswagen Dealer to 8.5 years or 85,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s original in-service date.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Volkswagen Atlas
Source: the same files- electrical problems
- automatic emergency braking problems
- airbag problems
- exterior lighting problems
- fuel system problems
- brake problems
Every system, every model year: Volkswagen Atlas problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Volkswagen Atlas years have the most engine complaints?
2021, 122; 2018, 102; 2022, 72. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (44%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Volkswagen Atlas?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V100000 (2025), 23V593000 (2024), 22V753000 (2023). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Volkswagen Atlas?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 15,969 miles across the model years; half of them between 7,000 and 30,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.