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2019 Volkswagen Atlas: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 482 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Atlas[1], and the 2019 model year has 12 recalls[2]. Air bags, brakes, electrical and forward collision systems draw the most complaints[3][4][5][6], so check the recall status of any car by VIN before you buy.
Most reported problems
Owners filed 482 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Seven mention a crash and none a fire. NHTSA reports 10 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Air bags[3] | 141 |
| Brakes[4] | 79 |
| Electrical system[5] | 76 |
| Forward collision avoidance[6] | 72 |
| Unknown or other[9] | 61 |
| Engine[10] | 60 |
| Steering[11] | 39 |
| Power train[12] | 34 |
No change required. It is not a count of all owners, but it shows what people describe.
- Air bags. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 9 describe an air bag warning light or error message, and 2 describe air bags going off with no crash[3]., and 2 describe air bags going off with no crash[3]. Median mileage at the time of the problem was 30,250[3].
- Brakes. All 12 sampled complaints describe the car braking or stopping on its own, and most of them say nothing was in the way. Some say it stopped the car in traffic[4]. Median mileage was 5,800[4].
- Electrical system. In the 12 sampled complaints, 7 describe the car braking or stopping suddenly for no clear reason, and 4 describe the engine shutting off or not starting[5].
- Forward collision avoidance. In the 12 sampled complaints, 9 describe a collision warning or automatic braking with nothing in the way[6]. Two describe safety systems or adaptive cruise control not working after a remote start[6].
The brake, electrical and forward collision groups overlap. Some complaints in our sample appear under more than one of these groups, because one complaint can name several components. Engine, steering and power train have fewer complaints[10][11][12], so we do not treat them as common problem areas.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2019 Atlas[2]. Some cover several models. All of them list the 2019 Atlas, but each one applies only to the vehicles in its VIN list. Newest first:
- Remedy pending
Steering rack bolt (26V590), September 2026. A bolt holding the steering rack to the subframe can corrode and break, which can break the rack housing and cause loss of steering control. It covers 208,724 vehicles[13]. Dealers are to replace the right-side mounting bolt for free. Owner letters are expected on November 10, 2026, so the repair may not be available to you yet[13]. - Side air bag weld (23V671), October 2023. A driver's side impact air bag may be missing a weld, so it could deploy wrong or come loose in a crash. Only 2 vehicles are affected[14]. The fix is a new air bag at no cost[14].
- Passenger air bag sensor (23V215), March 2023. Faulty wiring in the passenger seat sensing system can switch off the front passenger air bag when someone is sitting there. It covers 143,053 vehicles[15]. Dealers replace the sensor mat and wiring harness for free[15].
- Tire pressure monitor (22V815), October 2022. The system may be slow to notice when all four tires lose air at once, which raises crash risk. It covers 296,044 vehicles across several models[16]. Dealers update the software for free[16].
- Door wiring and side air bags (22V152), March 2022. Corroded contacts in the door wiring can delay a front side air bag in a side impact. It covers 222,892 vehicles[17]. Dealers secure the harness and replace any that show a fault code, for free[17].
- Side step weight label (22V086), February 2022. Atlas SUVs fitted with accessory side steps were missing an updated weight rating label, so the vehicle could be overloaded. It covers 3,648 vehicles[18]. Dealers install the label for free[18].
- Continental tires (21V142), March 2021. Some tires may have been baked too long in production and could develop a sidewall break or lose their tread. It covers 2,535 vehicles[19]. Dealers inspect the tires and replace them as necessary, for free[19].
- Fuel tank (19V614), August 2019. A part inside the fuel tank may have been welded in the wrong place, which can cause a fuel leak or a stall. Only 6 vehicles are affected[20]. The fix is a new fuel tank at no cost[20].
- Headlight aim (19V389), May 2019. A blocking cap that stops the headlight aim from being adjusted may be missing, which can reduce visibility. It covers 662,185 vehicles across models[21]. Dealers inspect and block the adjustment where needed, for free[21].
- Side air bag type (19V218), March 2019. An incorrect side air bag may have been installed in 3 vehicles[22]. The air bags were inspected and replaced, and the recall was completed in April 2019[22].
- Rear coil springs (18V904), December 2018. The rear coil springs may break, which can damage a rear tire and cause loss of control. It covers 6,322 vehicles across models[23]. Dealers replace the springs for free[23].
- Key warning chime (18V824), November 2018. On cars without keyless entry, the instrument cluster may not sound a warning when the key is left in the ignition and the door opens. That raises theft and crash risk. It covers 73,549 vehicles across models[24]. Dealers reprogram the cluster for free[24].
A recall only applies to your car if its VIN is included, so look yours up on NHTSA.gov.
Fuel economy
EPA lists three versions for 2019. All use regular gas[25][26][7].
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cylinder, front-wheel drive[25] | 17 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 |
| 3.6L 6-cylinder, all-wheel drive[26] | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 |
| 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo, front-wheel drive[7] | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 |
All three are the automatic (S8) version. The fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive Atlas 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal crashes, 5 for side crashes and 4 for rollover[8]. Its rollover risk is 13.6%[8]. The front-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 15.9%[27].
Engine and size
EPA lists a 2.0L 4-cylinder rated 235 hp[28] and a 3.6L 6-cylinder rated 280 hp[29]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2019 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 466 | 17 |
| 2019 | 482 | 12 |
| 2020 | 134 | 11 |
| 2021 | 645 | 17 |
| 2022 | 258 | 7 |
| 2023 | 157 | 6 |
| 2024 | 275 | 8 |
| 2025 | 73 | 5 |
| 2026 | 11 | 2 |
Among Atlas model years, 2019 has the second-highest complaint count on file at 482[2]. Only 2021 is higher at 645[2]. The 2018 model has 466, 2020 has 134, 2022 has 258, 2023 has 157, 2024 has 275, 2025 has 73 and 2026 has 11[2].
For recalls, 2019 has 12[2]. The 2018 and 2021 model years each have 17, 2020 has 11, 2022 has 7, 2023 has 6, 2024 has 8, 2025 has 5 and 2026 has 2[2]. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and the counts are not adjusted for sales.
Should you buy a used 2019 Atlas?
The 2019 Atlas has a fairly large complaint file for its model line[2], and the complaints we read point to driver-assist braking, air bag warnings and electrical faults[3][4][5][6]. Those are small samples, so treat them as things to check, not as a verdict on every car. Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov, and ask whether the steering rack bolt recall applies, since its repair letters are only expected in November 2026[13]. During a test drive, pay attention to automatic braking and any air bag warning light. The car earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[8][27], and the fuel economy is 19 MPG combined for the 3.6L 6-cylinder and 22 for the 2.0L turbo[25][26][7].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
- Air bags have the most NHTSA complaints at 141, then brakes at 79 and electrical at 76[3][4][5]. In the samples we read, owners describe air bag warning lights and automatic braking with nothing ahead[3][4].
- How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas have?
- NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2019 model year[2]. The newest, 26V590, covers a steering rack bolt, and its owner letters are expected November 10, 2026[13].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
- EPA rates the 3.6L 6-cylinder at 19 MPG combined and the 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder at 22 MPG combined[25][26][7].
- How safe is the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
- NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[8][27].
- How does the 2019 Atlas compare with other Atlas years?
- It has 482 complaints, behind only 2021 at 645[2].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 482 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas (7 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Atlas model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 141 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 79 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 76 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 72 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Atlas, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 61 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,300). NHTSA vehicle records
- 60 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,545). NHTSA vehicle records
- 39 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 34 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V590, filed September 11, 2026: Steering. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V671, filed October 4, 2023: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V215, filed March 29, 2023: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V815, filed October 31, 2022: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V152, filed March 28, 2022: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V086, filed February 16, 2022: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V142, filed March 5, 2021: Tires › Sidewall. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V614, filed August 21, 2019: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V389, filed May 22, 2019: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V218, filed March 20, 2019: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V904, filed December 19, 2018: Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V824, filed November 26, 2018: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Atlas, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Atlas 4motion, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2019 Volkswagen Atlas with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 235 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2019 Volkswagen Atlas with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ATLAS 4DR SUV 4MOTION: length 198 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,502 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ATLAS 4DR SUV FWD: length 198 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,334 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov