2025 Volkswagen Atlas Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
14/100
#7 most-complained of 8 Atlas years
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas ranks 7th out of 8 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 14 and a 'Best' verdict relative to other Atlas years. NHTSA lists 47 complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 crash for this year, with Electrical System issues the top problem area at 34% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 47
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 25.5 hwy
Top 2025 Volkswagen Atlas problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System16 (34%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (26%)
- Other11 (23%)
- Engine9 (19%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras8 (17%)
- Brakes5 (11%)
- Lane Departure3 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (6%)
- Steering2 (4%)
What owners report
- Cameras and front assist sensors stop working entirely, sometimes disabling collision assist during an actual collision with an animal.
- Steering wheel locks up mid-turn or in reverse, forcing hard braking to avoid a crash, accompanied by brief error codes.
- Interior lighting, sunroof button, and roadside assistance button activate on their own in cold weather below 40 degrees.
- Vehicle suddenly loses power on the highway, engine shuts off, and transmission will not engage drive or reverse.
- Dashboard warning lights for TCM and ESC systems appear and the vehicle refuses to move forward despite pressing the accelerator.
- Automatic emergency braking activates violently with no obstacle present, including while parked or backing up in an empty lot.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V473000Jul 22, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras57,851 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling 2024-2026 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. The vehicles may experience a low-voltage electrical event that affects display screen functions. As a result, the rearview camera image may fail to display as intended.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 28, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V434000Jun 30, 2025Suspension, Wheels & Tires546 vehicles
Suspension
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.) of affected vehicles may not have been correctly tightened during the manufacturing process.
Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42HX.
- NHTSA 25V334000May 21, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras171,381 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91SB.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 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.
2025 compared with other Atlas years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 Atlas has a complaint index of 14, the second-lowest among the 8 model years tracked, earning a 'Best' verdict relative to other Atlas years.
- What problems does the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas have?
- NHTSA lists 47 complaints, with Electrical System issues making up 34% of them, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 26% and Engine at 19%. There was 1 crash reported and no fires or injuries.
- Does the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2025 Atlas, covering the rearview camera software, chassis/suspension bolts, an improperly installed engine cover, and a transmission that may have been manufactured incorrectly.
- How does the 2025 Atlas compare to other Atlas years?
- The 2025 Atlas ranks 7th worst (meaning 2nd best) out of 8 years, with a complaint index of 14, well below the 2021 Atlas's index of 100 and the 2024 Atlas's index of 86.