2021 Volkswagen Atlas Review

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

Recall Number: 

24V464000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

69PZ

Manufactured from: 

2020-10-01 to 2024-06-17

Number of vehicles affected: 

271330

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.

Defect Consequence: 

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on October 18, 2024, December 10, 2024, December 20, 2024, and January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

Recall Number: 

23V215000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

69FB

Number of vehicles affected: 

143053

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.

Defect Consequence: 

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners will receive a second notice once the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.

Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Recall Number: 

22V815000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

AU:45J7,VW

Number of vehicles affected: 

224704

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Defect Consequence: 

An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi?s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

Recall Number: 

22V514000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

91DV

Number of vehicles affected: 

43091

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Defect Consequence: 

A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.

Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:injectors

Recall Number: 

22V245000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

24iD

Number of vehicles affected: 

1382

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters.

Defect Consequence: 

Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the long fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24iD.

Air bags:side/window

Recall Number: 

22V152000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

97GF

Number of vehicles affected: 

222892

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.

Defect Consequence: 

A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97GF.

Equipment:other:labels

Recall Number: 

22V086000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

09D9

Number of vehicles affected: 

3648

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Defect Consequence: 

Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will install the reduced GVWR label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 09D9.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system

Recall Number: 

21V892000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

87H4

Number of vehicles affected: 

54429

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The air conditioning system drain tube could be blocked, causing water to leak inside the vehicle near the air bag control module.

Defect Consequence: 

A water leak may damage the air bag control module, causing an inadvertent air bag deployment and increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will repair the drain tube and replace the air bag control module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 87H4.

Suspension:front:wheel bearing

Recall Number: 

21V812000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

40R7

Number of vehicles affected: 

30

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles. The front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened.

Defect Consequence: 

The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will inspect the tightness of the wheel bearing bolts and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40R7.

Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers

Recall Number: 

21V616000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

97FR

Number of vehicles affected: 

33

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Damaged relays may have been installed in the engine compartment fuse box, which could inadvertently activate the horn or engine starter.

Defect Consequence: 

A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will inspect and as necessary, replace the relays, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97FR.

Wheels:rim

Recall Number: 

21V132000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

44Q9

Number of vehicles affected: 

128

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The lug bolt holes on the wheels may have been machined incorrectly, preventing the wheel bolt from sufficiently attaching to the wheel bearing hub.

Defect Consequence: 

An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four wheels, and as necessary, replace the wheels, lug bolts ,and wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44Q9.

Steering

Recall Number: 

21V026000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

40Q7

Number of vehicles affected: 

10303

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The front steering knuckle may fracture in the area of the strut mounting.

Defect Consequence: 

A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace one or both steering knuckles, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q7.

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

Recall Number: 

20V716000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

91BB / 91B

Number of vehicles affected: 

32148

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Defect Consequence: 

A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 15, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

Steering

Recall Number: 

20V712000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

40Q6

Number of vehicles affected: 

776

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. One or both steering knuckles may have been damaged during production.

Defect Consequence: 

A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q6. Note: Owners are advised to DO NOT DRIVE the vehicle until the vehicle has been inspected and repaired if necessary.

Tires:sidewall

Recall Number: 

20V702000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

44Q5

Number of vehicles affected: 

760

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport and 2021 Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires, size 255/50 R 20 105 T. The tires may have been over cured.

Defect Consequence: 

Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air pressure or the tread separating from the tire. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect DOT date code and mold number on the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 30, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44Q5.

Seats

Recall Number: 

20V505000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

72L1, 72K8

Number of vehicles affected: 

4854

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

Defect Consequence: 

In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 25, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.

Exterior lighting:headlights

Recall Number: 

20V504000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

94N7

Number of vehicles affected: 

11

Defect Description: 

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Atlas Cross Sports and 2021 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side headlight may have been aimed too low during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Defect Consequence: 

A headlight aimed incorrectly aimed reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will adjust the driver's side headlight, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 25, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94N7.