What are the most common problems with the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas?

Brakes, engine and electrical system are the three biggest complaint groups. Air bags come next.

Does the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas have any recalls?

Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.

How many owner complaints are there for the 2022 Atlas?

NHTSA has 258 complaints on file. They are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales.

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?

The complaints are spread over brakes, engine and electrical groups. Read the problems section and the recall list together to judge it for yourself.

What gas mileage does the 2022 Atlas get?

See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 258 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas^[1]. The brakes group is the biggest, with 73 complaints^[2].

258owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[3]

19–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the reports we read, biggest first.

Brakes. 73 complaints^[2]. Owners describe the parking brake switching on by itself while the car is moving, sometimes at low speed in a driveway and sometimes in traffic, with no warning light first.
Engine. 71 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe the engine shutting off while the car is rolling, with a message asking them to park and restart it by hand. Some also describe a warning light followed by a sudden loss of power. The median mileage at failure is 67,139^[6].
Electrical System. 65 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a touchscreen that will not wake up, a radio that cuts out, remote start that does not work and parking sensors that stayed silent. The median mileage at failure is 28,195^[7].
Air Bags. 40 complaints^[8]. Owners describe an air bag warning message on the dash. Others write about waiting for a repair part after a recall notice and about slow calls back from a dealer.
Unknown Or Other. 38 complaints^[9]. These reports do not fit a single component group.
Forward Collision Avoidance. 31 complaints^[10].
Fuel/Propulsion System. 20 complaints^[11].
Exterior Lighting. 18 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2022 Atlas is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger (24V464), June 2024. About 271,330 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Suspension › Critical Fasteners (22V807), October 2022. About 33 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical (22V753), October 2022. About 76,515 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Trailer Hitches (22V657), August 2022. About 3,184 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Software (22V514), July 2022. About 43,091 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors (22V245), April 2022. About 1,382 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Air Bags › Side/Window (22V152), March 2022. About 222,892 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Atlas, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	21 / 25 / 23	$2,900
Atlas Cross Sport, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	21 / 25 / 23	$2,900
Atlas Cross Sport, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	18 / 24 / 20	$3,350
Atlas 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[22]	20 / 24 / 22	$3,050
Atlas Cross Sport 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[23]	20 / 24 / 22	$3,050
Atlas Cross Sport 4motion, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[24]	18 / 24 / 20	$3,350
Atlas 4motion, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[25]	17 / 23 / 19	$3,550
Atlas, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[26]	18 / 24 / 20	$3,350

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[5]	5	4	5	4	15.9%
SUV FWD^[27]	5	4	5	4	13.6%
SUV AWD^[28]	5	4	5	4	15.1%
SUV FWD^[29]	5	4	5	4	16.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2022 Volkswagen Atlas with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[30]	235 hp
2022 Volkswagen Atlas with 3.6L 6-cylinder^[31]	276 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
ATLAS 4DR SUV 4MOTION 2.0L^[32]	201 in	78 in	69 in	117 in	4,442 lb
ATLAS 4DR SUV 4MOTION 3.6L^[33]	201 in	78 in	69 in	117 in	4,594 lb
ATLAS SPORT CROSS 4DR SUV 4MOTION 2.0L^[34]	196 in	78 in	68 in	117 in	4,442 lb
ATLAS SPORT CROSS 4DR SUV 4MOTION 3.6L^[35]	196 in	78 in	68 in	117 in	4,594 lb

How 2022 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Atlas model year. The 2022 is highlighted^[3].

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

NHTSA's counts for the Atlas show 258 complaints and 7 recalls for 2022^[3]. Among the 10 model years listed, 5 have fewer complaints than 2022 and 4 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2021 (645)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2022 Atlas?

The 2022 Atlas has a clear set of repeat themes in owner reports, led by brakes, engine and electrical complaints^[2]^[6]^[7]. The reports are unverified and they are not adjusted for sales, so they show what owners chose to report, not how often a part fails^[1]. Recalls exist for this model year, and the recall section on this page lists them^[3]. If you are shopping for one, check that every recall repair is done and ask the seller about the parking brake and the engine shutting off. Those are the stories that stand out most in the complaints^[2]^[6].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas?: Brakes, engine and electrical system are the three biggest complaint groups^[2]^[6]^[7]. Air bags come next^[8].
Does the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas have any recalls?: Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.
How many owner complaints are there for the 2022 Atlas?: NHTSA has 258 complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales.
Is the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?: The complaints are spread over brakes, engine and electrical groups^[2]^[6]^[7]. Read the problems section and the recall list together to judge it for yourself.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Atlas get?: See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Volkswagen Atlas

2018 466 complaints, 17 recalls
2019 482 complaints, 12 recalls
2021 645 complaints, 17 recalls
2022 this page
2023 157 complaints, 6 recalls
2024 275 complaints, 8 recalls
2025 73 complaints, 5 recalls
2026 11 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Atlas

Other Volkswagen models from 2022

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 272 complaints, 5 recalls

All Volkswagen models

Similar cars from 2022: small suvs

2022 Kia Telluride 327 complaints, 7 recalls
2022 Lexus RX 39 complaints, 0 recalls
2022 Lincoln Corsair 58 complaints, 20 recalls
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 5 complaints, 2 recalls
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander 229 complaints, 10 recalls
2022 Nissan Pathfinder 136 complaints, 5 recalls

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 258 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas (4 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
73 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Atlas model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Atlas, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 25 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
71 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,139). NHTSA vehicle records
65 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,195). NHTSA vehicle records
40 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
38 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
31 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
18 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 24V464, filed June 20, 2024: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V807, filed October 26, 2022: Suspension › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V753, filed October 7, 2022: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal / Mechanical. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V657, filed August 31, 2022: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V514, filed July 20, 2022: Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Software. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V245, filed April 13, 2022: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V152, filed March 28, 2022: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Atlas Cross Sport, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 25 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Atlas Cross Sport, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Atlas 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 24 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Atlas Cross Sport 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 24 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Atlas Cross Sport 4motion, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. 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
EPA rating for Atlas, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2022 Volkswagen Atlas with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 235 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2022 Volkswagen Atlas with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 276 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ATLAS 4DR SUV 4MOTION 2.0L: length 201 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,442 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ATLAS 4DR SUV 4MOTION 3.6L: length 201 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,594 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ATLAS SPORT CROSS 4DR SUV 4MOTION 2.0L: length 196 in, width 78 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,442 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ATLAS SPORT CROSS 4DR SUV 4MOTION 3.6L: length 196 in, width 78 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,594 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2022 Volkswagen Atlas: problems, recalls and fuel economy