2025 Volkswagen Atlas
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Volkswagen › Atlas › 2025
These records cover every 2025 Volkswagen Atlas. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s 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.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the engine cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10X5.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The transmission may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38CX.
Owner complaints
51 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Back over prevention › Warnings · Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking · Forward collision avoidance › Warnings
The infotainment system on my 2025 VW Atlas experiences sudden, random total blackouts and complete system reboots while operating the vehicle. This critical software/hardware failure occurs during both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay connections. When the screen goes completely black, all system…
The infotainment system on my 2025 VW Atlas experiences sudden, random total blackouts and complete system reboots while operating the vehicle. This critical software/hardware failure occurs during both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay connections. When the screen goes completely black, all system features instantly shut down, causing a severe safety hazard by completely disabling the rearview backup camera and driver-assist safety displays while maneuvering or driving. The vehicle has already been taken to an authorized dealership (Hiley Volkswagen) for a formal repair attempt, where an MIB3 recovery and software update were performed, but the safety defect persists. Volkswagen of America is aware of this ongoing safety hazard under Corporate Case Number 07809683. The unpredictable shutdown of the central screen and backup camera presents an imminent risk of backing into obstacles or pedestrians, violating federal safety regulations for rear visibility.
- Back over prevention › Warnings · Electrical system
Multiple occasions back up camera and entire screen not working when vehicle in reverse. Parking distance control and Maneuver braking function not working.
- Power train
Car would not shift back into drive after dropping child off at school. Multiple warning lights came on about hill assist. Needed towed. Ended up needing a new transmission due to what the dealer said was a mechanical defect.
- Electrical system · Lane departure › Blind spot detection · Unknown or other
Even after the most recent recall “update” has been completed, my reverse cameras freeze. Infotainment system crashed and goes black. Infotainment system had been issue ever since buying car. Has to be hard reset every other week to make functions work. Dealer says “no issues”.
- Service brakes
Vehicle: 2025 Volkswagen Atlas R-Line Incident Description: While driving on the freeway in rainy conditions through a construction zone, I applied the brakes to slow down. The brake pedal suddenly went soft, lost hydraulic pressure, and sank toward the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop or…
Vehicle: 2025 Volkswagen Atlas R-Line Incident Description: While driving on the freeway in rainy conditions through a construction zone, I applied the brakes to slow down. The brake pedal suddenly went soft, lost hydraulic pressure, and sank toward the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop or slow down properly, creating an extreme safety hazard and a feeling of sliding without braking power. Approximately three hours later, the vehicle was stopped on a downward-inclined driveway to let out a passenger. With my foot held firmly down on the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to maintain hydraulic holding pressure. The primary braking system failed to hold the vehicle still, causing the SUV to roll forward against the foot brake and violently and loudly slam into the transmission parking pawl as the electronic parking brake was cycling. The vehicle is currently unsafe to operate due to an intermittent, severe loss of primary hydraulic braking pressure, mirroring known master cylinder and brake booster failures in this vehicle platform. No warning lights illuminated on the dashboard during either failure.
- Engine
The vehicle has approximately 15,000 miles and it’s less than two years old. It has a pretty significant oil leak from the oil inlet tube. This leak was appearing from the rear differential despite starting at the turbo. I took the car to two different dealerships and after 3 visits and multiple…
The vehicle has approximately 15,000 miles and it’s less than two years old. It has a pretty significant oil leak from the oil inlet tube. This leak was appearing from the rear differential despite starting at the turbo. I took the car to two different dealerships and after 3 visits and multiple hours of time, a dealership found a TSB related to my issue (212602). The oil leak is a known defect and VW does not authorize any repair or fix. I have contacted VW customer service multiple times using multiple methods and have not gotten a resolution. I have owned many vehicles from many different manufacturers and the customer service from VW customer care has been abysmal. I have all of the records and notes and attempts to remedy.
- Service brakes
Grinding plus vibration when you turn the wheels slightly and brake hard. Could be a stuck or dragging caliper, uneven pad wear, or a bent dust shield rubbing the rotor. Might be bolts that weren’t tightened right on the brake and suspension parts.
- Unknown or other
I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a defective vehicle I purchased new, a 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, on April 7, 2025. Since the time of purchase, the vehicle has experienced persistent and significant issues with the infotainment system that substantially impair its usability, safety, and…
I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a defective vehicle I purchased new, a 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, on April 7, 2025. Since the time of purchase, the vehicle has experienced persistent and significant issues with the infotainment system that substantially impair its usability, safety, and value. The infotainment system repeatedly disconnects from both wired and wireless connections to my cellphone. When the system disconnects, it does not reconnect at all during the drive. This results in loss of GPS navigation and hands-free phone functionality, creating a safety concern. I have made extensive efforts to have this issue resolved. The vehicle has been taken to two authorized dealerships on ten separate occasions for service on the following dates: June 11, 2025 October 20–21, 2025 October 27–29, 2025 November 17–21, 2025 December 17–18, 2025 February 9, 2026 April 21–23, 2026 June 29-30, 2026 July 28, 2026 August 24-25, 2026 I have also contacted Volkswagen customer care regarding these issues; however, the matter remains unresolved despite my good-faith efforts to address it through authorized service channels. A case number with Volkswagen is available upon request. Multiple service representatives have verbally acknowledged that the infotainment issue is affecting other drivers and has been a known issue for years. This information was never disclosed by any sales representative at the time of purchase. I believe this represents a misleading and potentially predatory sales practice. Had I been informed of these known and ongoing issues, I would not have purchased this vehicle. Despite these repeated repair attempts, the issue remains unresolved, with the latest disruption occurring on September 3, 2026.
- Unknown or other
While driving my vehicle it stopped in traffic and would not drive. I got a transmission failure alert followed by warnings after. Vehicle was stuck in neutral without options to drive or reverse. Extremely dangerous occurrence while driving. Police assisted because this caused a dangerous…
While driving my vehicle it stopped in traffic and would not drive. I got a transmission failure alert followed by warnings after. Vehicle was stuck in neutral without options to drive or reverse. Extremely dangerous occurrence while driving. Police assisted because this caused a dangerous situation on the road. I made a video of all alerts on vehicle. VW Service states since they can’t reproduce it or have a code they cannot do anything. I also called VW support to open case. This occurred on XXX. Police report was also filed in [XXX] since it was stopped in traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Lane departure › Warning · Unknown or other
Traction control warning lights up on dash randomly and the traction control stops working, heads up display becomes unable to operate normally. Lane depature stops functioning properly and several other lights begin to display. Extremly dangerous
- Electrical system · Engine · Exterior lighting
I have had several malfunctions in the past year with my brand new 2025 atlas. It started 6 months into my lease when it threw 7 different lights while driving down the street. I stopped at a light and put the car in park. After that it would not go back in drive. I had to get pushed out of the…
I have had several malfunctions in the past year with my brand new 2025 atlas. It started 6 months into my lease when it threw 7 different lights while driving down the street. I stopped at a light and put the car in park. After that it would not go back in drive. I had to get pushed out of the road with all my kids in the car. And have it towed to the dealership. They stated it just needed an update. After that everything started failing. The sunroof motor had to be replaced. The inside dome lights had to be replaced. The window motor had to be replaced. The infotainment system has repeatedly failed, been replaced and still fails. It has been a total nightmare
- Service brakes
Failure of brake booster and master cylinder. Failure caused breaks to malfunction, not allowing the vehicle to break appropriately. To break, you had to step on the break very hard, break pedal did not have usual pressure. No leakage visible on the ground outside of the car. When starting the car…
Failure of brake booster and master cylinder. Failure caused breaks to malfunction, not allowing the vehicle to break appropriately. To break, you had to step on the break very hard, break pedal did not have usual pressure. No leakage visible on the ground outside of the car. When starting the car (usually you must press on breaks) it was already obvious something was wrong. After starting the car got a warning light about break malfunction and was alerted to contact my local dealership. The car was taken to a Volkswagen dealership and is currently being repaired. It was inspected by a technician in the service department and we are waiting on replacement parts. I am still waiting on a full invoice report from the dealership. The car is less than a year old and has around 7,000 miles on it.
- Power train · Unknown or other
While driving my 2025 Volkswagen Atlas the vehicle unexpectedly shifted itself into neutral without any action from the driver. I was driving with my daughter when this occurred. After the vehicle shifted into neutral, it would no longer shift back into drive, and I was unable to continue driving…
While driving my 2025 Volkswagen Atlas the vehicle unexpectedly shifted itself into neutral without any action from the driver. I was driving with my daughter when this occurred. After the vehicle shifted into neutral, it would no longer shift back into drive, and I was unable to continue driving normally. This resulted in an unexpected loss of propulsion while the vehicle was being operated on the road. the vehicle had to be stopped and requires dealership inspection. I am concerned this is a serious transmission or electronic transmission -control safety defect because the vehicle can unexpectedly lose drive power while moving. The Vehicle was towed to VW car dealership in Clarksville Tn, where I reported the incident to the service employee at the desk. I would hope that the NHTSA document the unexpected shift to neutral and loss of ability to select Drive.
- Visibility/wiper
Windshield cracked a singular crack from the top to the bottom of windshield after lifting car with spare tire jack.
- Electrical system · Power train
Our 2025 VW Altas had several engine lights come on at the same time after parking and would not shift out of neutral. Towed to the nearest VW for service and they stated it needed a transmission replacement. This vehicle had less than 16k miles.
- Power train
Bought it with 39k miles on it. A year old. within thirty hours I was trying to return from a trip and when I turned the key the car powered on but the engine didn’t turn over and several error messages popped up including a transmission error. The car would not start. I had it towed to the dealer…
Bought it with 39k miles on it. A year old. within thirty hours I was trying to return from a trip and when I turned the key the car powered on but the engine didn’t turn over and several error messages popped up including a transmission error. The car would not start. I had it towed to the dealer and they said it was a software issue. Within 24 hours of having it back I when to drive it and a check engine light was on again. Dealer is saying it’s a piece of the transmission that needs replaced.
- Electrical system · Forward collision avoidance › Warnings
Sensors keep failing. Constant on and off warnings. Radio is also only working at times. Reboots often on its own. Total distraction and very dangerous. Dealership already updated software twice. They can’t seem to fix it either.
- Electrical system · Unknown or other
The power window switches on this 2025 Volkswagen Atlas have repeatedly malfunctioned. The switches fail to operate windows consistently and have been brought to an authorized VW dealer for repair on three or more separate occasions without successful resolution. The defect has been confirmed and…
The power window switches on this 2025 Volkswagen Atlas have repeatedly malfunctioned. The switches fail to operate windows consistently and have been brought to an authorized VW dealer for repair on three or more separate occasions without successful resolution. The defect has been confirmed and documented by the dealer on each visit but remains unresolved. Faulty window switches present a safety risk as they impair the driver’s ability to ventilate the vehicle, communicate with others outside the vehicle, and in an emergency, may prevent occupant egress or entry of emergency responders. The component is available for inspection upon request.
- Electrical system · Engine
The factory-installed remote start system on this 2025 Volkswagen Atlas operates intermittently, failing to activate approximately 50% of the time. The issue has been reported to an authorized VW dealer. The intermittent nature of the failure has made it difficult to reproduce consistently during…
The factory-installed remote start system on this 2025 Volkswagen Atlas operates intermittently, failing to activate approximately 50% of the time. The issue has been reported to an authorized VW dealer. The intermittent nature of the failure has made it difficult to reproduce consistently during service visits. When remote start fails in cold or hot weather conditions, occupants may be forced to enter an extreme-temperature vehicle, presenting a risk particularly to children and vulnerable passengers. The component is available for inspection upon request.
- Unknown or other
The capacitive touch controls located below the infotainment screen on this 2025 Volkswagen Atlas — used to adjust climate and audio volume — are not illuminated in low-light or nighttime driving conditions. The controls are invisible without direct light, requiring the driver to look away from the…
The capacitive touch controls located below the infotainment screen on this 2025 Volkswagen Atlas — used to adjust climate and audio volume — are not illuminated in low-light or nighttime driving conditions. The controls are invisible without direct light, requiring the driver to look away from the road for an extended period to locate them by feel or sight. No warning lamps preceded this condition; it appears to be a design characteristic. This constitutes a driver distraction hazard during nighttime operation. It is unknown whether this issue affects other vehicles of the same model year and trim. The component is available for inspection upon request.
- Electrical system
Vehicle: 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, ~14,065 miles Electrical System / Telematics (connected services) The vehicle's connected-services system fails to complete device registration. The infotainment shows my device as paired, but Volkswagen's backend repeatedly declines the pairing, leaving all…
Vehicle: 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, ~14,065 miles Electrical System / Telematics (connected services) The vehicle's connected-services system fails to complete device registration. The infotainment shows my device as paired, but Volkswagen's backend repeatedly declines the pairing, leaving all connected services non-functional. Because this same telematics module is responsible for emergency SOS and automatic crash notification, I am concerned the registration failure may compromise the vehicle's ability to place emergency calls. The dealer applied the latest software update with no effect, and a Volkswagen support ticket remains unresolved. I am filing so this connectivity/telematics defect is on record. No crash or injury. Requesting investigation into whether the registration failure affects emergency-call functionality.
- Power train
At 10,000 miles Upon starting the vehicle, it appeared to operate normally with no warning messages displayed. However, immediately after beginning to drive, the transmission began shifting extremely harshly between gears. Within a short distance, the transmission shifted with such force that the…
At 10,000 miles Upon starting the vehicle, it appeared to operate normally with no warning messages displayed. However, immediately after beginning to drive, the transmission began shifting extremely harshly between gears. Within a short distance, the transmission shifted with such force that the drive wheels briefly lost traction and the tires chirped/skidded. At the same time, a warning message appeared on the instrument cluster stating: "Transmission overheating – vehicle is still safe to drive." Prior to this incident, there were no transmission warning lights, messages, or noticeable symptoms. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Volkswagen dealership for inspection. The dealership retained the vehicle for approximately 14 days but was unable to duplicate the condition. The dealership advised that they found no faults, could not identify any transmission issues, and could not locate any record of the transmission overheating warning message in the vehicle's history. The sudden and severe transmission behavior created a safety concern because the unexpected harsh shifting and loss of traction could have caused loss of vehicle control, particularly in traffic or adverse road conditions. To date, the cause of the condition remains unknown.
- Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking
Unknown cause and effect. Driving 25-30 MPH per the stated speed limit when suddenly the car braked, going from the estimated speed to 0 in the middle of the road nearly causing a rear end collision. I had to restart the car, put it back in drive and release the parking brake to avoid impeding traffic any further. There were no dash indicators or indication noises. Just a sudden and abrupt braking.
- Back over prevention › Warnings · Electrical system · Power train
On April 20, 2026, my 2025 Volkswagen Atlas (approx. 31,000 miles) experienced a sudden malfunction where the vehicle became stuck in neutral and would not shift into drive or reverse, despite starting normally. This occurred without warning and rendered the vehicle inoperable, requiring it to be…
On April 20, 2026, my 2025 Volkswagen Atlas (approx. 31,000 miles) experienced a sudden malfunction where the vehicle became stuck in neutral and would not shift into drive or reverse, despite starting normally. This occurred without warning and rendered the vehicle inoperable, requiring it to be towed to a dealership. Prior to this incident, I experienced intermittent issues with the remote start function through the mobile app, as well as repeated warning messages related to the front/parking sensor system. These warnings had been occurring in the days leading up to the failure. At the time of the incident, the vehicle could not be moved or driven, which created a safety concern due to unexpected immobilization. This type of failure could potentially leave a driver stranded in unsafe conditions or locations. A tow technician was eventually able to shift the vehicle upon arrival; however, due to the seriousness and unpredictability of the issue, the vehicle was still transported to the dealership for inspection. As of this report, the issue has not yet been diagnosed. Dealership personnel indicated verbally that the issue may be related to a recall, although no official confirmation has been provided. If this is accurate, this raises additional safety concerns. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection.
- Tires
tire size 245/60/R18/105T car was purchased new in 2025, after 4750 miles of driving i reported having 5 flat tires . It appears to me that these tires are soft ( maybe for sales purposes ) but are not correct for vechicle weight and class plus perhaps Flordia heat and temperatures . each time a…
tire size 245/60/R18/105T car was purchased new in 2025, after 4750 miles of driving i reported having 5 flat tires . It appears to me that these tires are soft ( maybe for sales purposes ) but are not correct for vechicle weight and class plus perhaps Flordia heat and temperatures . each time a screw or nail was found . i can understand 1 or 2 but 5 in only driving limited miles as I am retired I asked to get a partial refund so I could purchase a better tires and they are not responding or telling me to contact the tire company. Its not the tires per say but the selection VW has made to sell their cars
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11011375moisture witin rear tail lamp assembly
- 11011374HVAC duct cleaning and deodorizing
- 11011372Half of the VW emblem, light strip in the grill, and the daytime running lights will no longer be illuminated on one side of the vehicle.
- 11010025Green Light Does Not Illuminate
- 11010024Lack of paint under roof
- 11010022Engine Oil Standards
- 11010021Additional reporting
- 11010011Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available
- 11008866Inspecting sensors for damage
- 11008864The purpose of this Technical Bulletin is to inform Volkswagen dealerships that beginning on 10/1/2024, replacement of any of the following components will require specific Guided Fault Finding (GFF) direction where the test plan(s) explicitly states replacement of the part is necessary.
- 11008861Fluid requirements
- 11008860Manual transmission noise diagnosing
- 1100885912V battery testing instruction
- 11008858A list of engine oil that meet Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
- 11008857How to perform the engine oil consumption measurement
- 11008856Checking Engine Oil and correctly reading dip stick
- 11008853How to manage software versions using VW diagnostic Tool
- 11008852Recommended Gasoline Quality
- 11008851Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 11008850Fuel additive to help with misfire faults
- 11008849If you lose your keys or keys are missing you must replace the Vehicle Electrical System Control Module -J519-
- 11008846Wind & Water Leak Checking
- 11007398Battery testing
- 11007393Engine Oil Standards
- 11007387This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
- 11005825Engine oil quality standards
- 10249138Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.
Every Volkswagen Atlas model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.