2019 Volkswagen Atlas Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas has 480 complaints and a complaint index of 86, ranking it 2nd worst of 8 model years, with an Avoid verdict. It carries 12 recalls, led by airbag problems (141 complaints, 29% share) and brakes (81 complaints).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 86/100
- #2 of 8 Atlas years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 480
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2019 Volkswagen Atlas problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags141 (29%)
- Brakes81 (17%)
- Electrical System77 (16%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras75 (16%)
- Engine73 (15%)
- Other61 (13%)
- Steering38 (8%)
- Fuel System35 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain34 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles have shifted out of park or rolled into reverse unexpectedly while the driver's foot was on the brake, in one case causing a low-speed collision.
- Automatic emergency braking has triggered false stops, with the system braking hard for phantom vehicles that were not actually present.
- The airbag warning light has illuminated and stayed on without an actual collision, sometimes shortly after purchase.
- A rear seat has come loose from its mount and lurched forward during a stop while a child seat was installed in it.
- Owners reported low coolant warnings recurring after dealer top-offs with no visible leak found.
- Multiple electrical warning lights (parking brake, hill assist, window sensor) have appeared together, with windows rolling down on their own.
2019 Volkswagen Atlas recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V590000Sep 11, 2026Steering208,724 vehicles
Steering
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
Risk: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 23V671000Oct 4, 2023Airbags2 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side impact air bag may be missing a weld at the side air bag housing.
Risk: The driver's side impact air bag could deploy improperly or detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side impact air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FK.
- NHTSA 23V215000Mar 29, 2023Airbags143,053 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.
2019 Volkswagen Atlas fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Atlas years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2019 Atlas has 480 owner complaints and a complaint index of 86, the second worst of 8 model years for this model, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Atlas?
- Airbags are the top complaint area with 141 complaints (29% share) and a median failure mileage of 30,250. Brakes (81 complaints), electrical system (77), and collision avoidance/camera issues (75) follow.
- Does the 2019 Atlas have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2019 Atlas, including a driver-side airbag missing a weld, a passenger occupant detection system fault, a fuel tank leak issue, and a steering rack bolt corrosion recall.
- How does the 2019 Atlas compare to other years?
- The 2019 model's complaint index of 86 is worse than 2018 (57, Caution), 2022 (29, Good), and 2023 (43, Good), but slightly better than 2021 (100, Avoid).
- Were there any crashes or injuries linked to the 2019 Atlas?
- NHTSA data lists 7 crashes and 10 injuries associated with 2019 Atlas complaints, with no fires or deaths reported.