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2024 Volkswagen Atlas: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 275 owner complaints on file for the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas[1]. The electrical system is the group named most often, with 79 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.
- Electrical System. 79 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car losing power while driving, screens and phone features acting up, strange noises, and one case of smoke coming from a door.
- Unknown Or Other. 54 complaints[6]. This is a catch-all group for reports that do not fit a single named part.
- Engine. 49 complaints[7]. Owners describe stalling, knocking sounds, and a sudden loss of power on busy roads.
- Forward Collision Avoidance. 46 complaints[8]. Owners describe cruise control and automatic braking that slow the car or switch off with no warning, sometimes in rain or in construction zones.
- Brakes. 45 complaints[9]. Owners describe squealing and grinding, a car that stops hard when backing up, and one that rolled while parked.
- Power Train. 30 complaints[10].
- Visibility/Wiper. 22 complaints[11].
- Back Over Prevention. 21 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2024 Atlas is necessarily included.
- Back Over Prevention › Software (26V473), July 2026. About 57,851 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.[13]
- Service Brakes (25V434), June 2025. About 546 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]
- Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (25V334), May 2025. About 171,381 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.[15]
- Engine (25V100), February 2025. About 177,493 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.[16]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder (24V723), September 2024. About 1,591 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Back Over Prevention › Software (24V480), June 2024. About 84,432 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
- 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.[19]
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical (23V593), August 2023. About 2,018 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.[20]
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] | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Atlas Cross Sport, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[21] | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Atlas 4motion Peak Edition, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[22] | 18 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Atlas SE 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[23] | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Atlas Cross Sport 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[24] | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Atlas SEL 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[25] | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2024 Volkswagen Atlas with 2.0L 4-cylinder[29] | 269 hp |
How 2024 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 |
NHTSA's counts for the Atlas show 275 complaints and 8 recalls for 2024[3]. Among the 10 model years listed, 6 have fewer complaints than 2024 and 3 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 2024 Atlas?
The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas has 275 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. Electrical problems lead the list[2], and the engine, driver assist and brake groups are also among the larger ones[7][8][9]. The by-year data also shows 8 recalls for this model year[3]. These are unverified owner reports, so they show what people raise rather than how often a fault happens. If you are shopping for one, read the recall list above and ask for proof that every open recall was fixed.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas?
- Owners name the electrical system most often, with 79 complaints[2]. The engine group has 49[7] and the brakes group has 45[9].
- How many complaints does the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas have?
- NHTSA has 275 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.
- Has the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas been recalled?
- Yes. The by-year data lists 8 recalls for this model year[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas?
- See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Volkswagen Atlas
Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Atlas
Similar cars from 2024: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 275 owner complaints on file for the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas (9 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 11 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 79 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 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: 20 city / 27 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
- 54 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 49 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,227). NHTSA vehicle records
- 46 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 45 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 30 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the back over prevention component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V473, filed July 22, 2026: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V434, filed June 30, 2025: Service Brakes. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V334, filed May 21, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V100, filed February 17, 2025: Engine. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V723, filed September 27, 2024: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V480, filed June 27, 2024: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V464, filed June 20, 2024: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V593, filed August 23, 2023: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal / Mechanical. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Atlas Cross Sport, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Atlas 4motion Peak Edition, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 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 SE 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 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: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Atlas SEL 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. 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, 2024 Volkswagen Atlas with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 269 hp. www.epa.gov