How common are brake complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?

NHTSA lists 98 brake-related complaints for the 2021 Atlas, which is 21% of the 472 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas brake issue?

No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this brake problem area on the 2021 Atlas.

At what mileage do 2021 Atlas brake problems usually appear?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this brake issue is 15,000 miles.

Did the 2021 Atlas brake problem cause any crashes?

NHTSA data links 2 crashes to the brake complaints for the 2021 Atlas, with no reported fires or injuries.

How does 2021 compare to other Atlas model years for brake complaints?

The 2021 Atlas had 98 brake complaints (21% share), higher than 2018's 81 (18%), 2019's 81 (17%), and 2020's 4 (15%), but below 2022's 27% share.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Brakes Problems

Brakes account for 98 complaints on the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, 21% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 15,000 miles. Two crashes were linked to this area, but no recalls are listed for it.

Brakes complaints: 98; 21% of 472
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 15,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

Electronic parking brake engages unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving, sometimes at highway speeds between 25 and 70 mph.
Dashboard shows a driver door contact switch fault around the same time the parking brake activates on its own.
Windows roll down partially or fully by themselves while driving, often alongside the brake warnings.
Vehicle jolts or comes to an abrupt stop when the automatic parking brake engages, which owners describe as a near-collision risk.
Owners report the car becomes undrivable as episodes increase in frequency, tracing back to a faulty driver-side wiring harness.
Some owners had the vehicle in the shop for extended periods waiting for a backordered door harness part.

When 2021 Volkswagen Atlas brake complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 1, 2021, latest Jan 9, 2026.

98 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2021 to Jan 2026; peak Mar 2022 (36).

Brakes recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Atlas model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201881 (18%)
201981 (17%)
20204 (15%)
202198 (21%)
202250 (27%)
202315 (11%)
202436 (21%)
20255 (11%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?: NHTSA lists 98 brake-related complaints for the 2021 Atlas, which is 21% of the 472 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas brake issue?: No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this brake problem area on the 2021 Atlas.
At what mileage do 2021 Atlas brake problems usually appear?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this brake issue is 15,000 miles.
Did the 2021 Atlas brake problem cause any crashes?: NHTSA data links 2 crashes to the brake complaints for the 2021 Atlas, with no reported fires or injuries.
How does 2021 compare to other Atlas model years for brake complaints?: The 2021 Atlas had 98 brake complaints (21% share), higher than 2018's 81 (18%), 2019's 81 (17%), and 2020's 4 (15%), but below 2022's 27% share.