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2019 Volkswagen Atlas

Verified August 31, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
Safety
5
of 5 stars
Recalls
11
on record
MPG
19
combined

Heavily recalled

11 safety recalls on record. Confirm with the seller that every campaign has been completed.

Vehicle Summary

2019 Volkswagen Atlas

11 recalls
466 complaints
19 MPG combined
5/5 safety rating

Before You Buy

Confirm all 11 recalls were repaired — a dealer checks by VIN, free
Read the 7 complaints reporting a crash
Review the 466 owner complaints on record
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Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
11
Owner complaints
466
Complaints citing a crash
7

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalized by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

11 Recalls on Record

These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

11 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 19V614000high

    Fuel system issue

    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The suction jet in the fuel tank may have been welded in the incorrect position allowing fuel to leak. Additionally, the vehicle may stall due to uneven fuel distribution.

    Consequence

    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BU.

    Full campaign record
  • 18V904000high

    Suspension issue

    SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

    Consequence

    If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J2/42J3.

    Full campaign record
  • 19V389000high

    Lighting issue

    EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Consequence

    Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.

    Full campaign record
  • 18V824000high

    Electrical issue

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

    Consequence

    If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.

    Remedy

    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.

    Full campaign record
  • 19V218000high

    Airbag system issue

    AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.

    Consequence

    In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy

    Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y8.

    Full campaign record
  • 21V142000high

    Tire/wheel issue

    TIRES:SIDEWALL

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

    Consequence

    Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44R1.

    Full campaign record
  • 22V086000high

    Incorrect or missing label

    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Consequence

    Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will install the reduced GVWR label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 09D9.

    Full campaign record
  • 22V152000high

    Airbag system issue

    AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.

    Consequence

    A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy

    Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97GF.

    Full campaign record
  • 22V815000high

    Tire/wheel issue

    TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

    Consequence

    An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

    Full campaign record
  • 23V215000high

    Airbag system issue

    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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 23V671000high

    Airbag system issue

    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.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record

NHTSA crash-test ratings

NCAP star ratings and the underlying test breakdown for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas.

  • Frontal crash

    Driver
    4 / 5
    Passenger
    5 / 5
  • Side crash

    Driver
    5 / 5
    Passenger
    5 / 5
    Side pole
    5 / 5
  • Rollover

    Rollover risk
    15.9%
    Dynamic tip
    No Tip

Driver-assistance technologies

Electronic stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Lane departure warning
Optional

What the ratings mean

NHTSA gives the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas 5 out of 5 stars overall, level with the 5-star median for the 9 comparable 2019 vehicles NHTSA rated in this class.

NHTSA published results for every NCAP test in this program, so the overall star rating rests on a complete set of crash and rollover results.

NHTSA's dynamic test put this vehicle's rollover probability at 15.9% in a single-vehicle crash — the figure behind the rollover star rating, published here because the star alone hides how wide each band is.

NHTSA crash tests

2019 Volkswagen Atlas Frontal crash crash test
Frontal crash Video
2019 Volkswagen Atlas Side crash crash test
Side crash Video
2019 Volkswagen Atlas Side pole crash test
Side pole Video

Fuel economy & emissions

EPA figures for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, with tailpipe CO₂ and class context.

17

City

24

Hwy

19

Comb

Annual fuel cost
$3,250
Tailpipe CO₂
454 g/mi

How this compares

At 19 MPG combined, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas ranks 11th of 11 small SUVs (2WD) EPA rated for 2019 — 6 MPG short of the 25 MPG median for that group.

That places it among the thirstiest vehicles in its class. If annual mileage is high, the running-cost gap against a class-average rival compounds quickly.

EPA puts annual fuel spend at about $3,250, $450 more than the $2,800 typical for the class. Over five years at 15,000 miles a year that is roughly $16,250, a $2,250 difference against a class-median vehicle.

Tailpipe CO₂ is 454 grams per mile — about 6.8 metric tons over 15,000 miles of driving.

Consumer complaints

466 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

466
Total
7
Crashes
0
Fires
10
Injuries

Most reported components

  • AIR BAGS138
  • OTHER77
  • BRAKES75
  • ENGINE73
  • STEERING30

Notable Issues

466 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 10 reports involve injuries. 7 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

airbag concerns (warning light, deployment issues)138
miscellaneous issues77
brake problems (soft pedal, noise, failure)75

Safety timeline

Every dated recall and NHTSA investigation for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, newest first.

  1. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA24004

    Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

  2. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE23017

    Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

  3. Recall

    Recall 23V671000

    The driver's side impact air bag could deploy improperly or detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  4. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE23017

    Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

  5. Recall

    Recall 23V215000

    A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

  6. Recall

    Recall 22V815000

    An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.

  7. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE21008

    Fuel Injector Leak

  8. Recall

    Recall 22V152000

    A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

  9. Recall

    Recall 22V086000

    Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

  10. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE21008

    Fuel Injector Leak

  11. Recall

    Recall 21V142000

    Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  12. Recall

    Recall 19V614000

    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

  13. Recall

    Recall 19V389000

    Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

  14. Recall

    Recall 19V218000

    In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

  15. Recall

    Recall 18V904000

    If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  16. Recall

    Recall 18V824000

    If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.

Dates are the NHTSA report-received date for recalls and the ODI open/close date for investigations. Crash-test ratings are not shown here because the source does not provide a reliable publication date for them.

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Drive type
Front-Wheel Drive
Engine
3.6L 6-cyl
Fuel type
Unknown
Transmission
Automatic (S8)
Seats
0

Fuel economy

17

City

24

Hwy

19

Comb

Annual cost
$3,250
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

NHTSA crash ratings

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Explore related

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA24004

    Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

  2. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation PE23017

    Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

  3. Recall

    Recall 23V671000

    The driver's side impact air bag could deploy improperly or detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  4. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation PE23017

    Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking

  5. Recall

    Recall 23V215000

    A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.