2022 Volkswagen Atlas Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
29/100
#6 most-complained of 8 Atlas years
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas has a Complaint Index of 29, ranked 6th of 8 model years, with a "Good" verdict. NHTSA lists 183 complaints, 7 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls for this year.
- Complaints
- 183
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24 hwy
Top 2022 Volkswagen Atlas problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System57 (31%)
- Engine52 (28%)
- Brakes50 (27%)
- Airbags30 (16%)
- Other26 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras25 (14%)
- Fuel System14 (8%)
- Structure & Body7 (4%)
- Steering6 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report the steering wheel warning light flashing before the vehicle caught fire, with fire damage spreading beyond the car.
- Some describe the forward collision system engaging automatic emergency braking with nothing in front of the vehicle, leading to a rear-end crash.
- One owner reported sudden unintended acceleration at a stoplight with the brake pedal failing to stop the vehicle, resulting in a collision.
- Airbags reportedly deployed from what owners described as a minor impact.
- Infotainment touchscreens reportedly stopped turning on, along with failures of wireless phone charging and road sign recognition.
- Owners describe the parking brake or emergency brake engaging on its own while driving, causing sudden stops or jolts.
2022 Volkswagen Atlas recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V464000Jun 20, 2024Airbags271,330 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 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 September 30, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on October 18, 2024, December 10, 2024, December 20, 2024, and January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.
- NHTSA 22V807000Oct 26, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires33 vehicles
Suspension:critical fasteners
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Volkswagen Atlas FL and 2022-2023 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The driver-side rear trailing arm bolts may not have been tightened properly, allowing them to loosen and fall out.
Risk: Unsecured bolts may cause the trailing arm to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver side rear trailing arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 25, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42M2.
- NHTSA 22V753000Oct 7, 2022Engine76,515 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
Risk: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).
2022 Volkswagen Atlas fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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.
2022 compared with other Atlas years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2022 Atlas has a Complaint Index of 29, the 6th-worst of 8 model years tracked, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Atlas years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, with 57 complaints (31% share), followed by Engine at 52 complaints (28%) and Brakes at 50 complaints (27%).
- Does the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2022 Atlas, covering airbags, suspension trailing arm bolts, engine connecting rod bearings, trailer hitch bolts, infotainment software, fuel injectors, and door wiring harnesses. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2022 Atlas compare to other model years?
- The 2022 Atlas has a Complaint Index of 29, lower than 2021 (100, Avoid) and 2024 (86, Avoid), but higher than 2020 (0, Best) and 2025 (14, Best).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2022 Atlas gets 21 mpg combined (19 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.