The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is associated with 42 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 3 reports (7% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl powertrain configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 20 to 23 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 42 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (3 / 7%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 1 crash / 0 fire / 0 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 20–23 MPG (6 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Atlas Cross Sport | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Atlas | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 MPG | 26 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Atlas SEL 4motion | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 18 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Atlas SE 4motion | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Atlas Cross Sport 4motion | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Atlas 4motion Peak Edition | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 18 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | | | | | 13.600000000000001% |
| SUV AWD | | | | | 15.9% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2025 Volkswagen Atlas models.
View complete 2025 Volkswagen Atlas crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2025 Volkswagen Atlas problems & component breakdown (29 categories) →
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling 2024-2026 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. The vehicles may experience a low-voltage electrical event that affects display screen functions. As a result, the rearview camera image may fail to display as intended.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 28, 2026.
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES
Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.) of affected vehicles may not have been correctly tightened during the manufacturing process.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42HX.
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91SB.
View all 2025 Volkswagen Atlas recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →