VehicleVerdict

2021 Volkswagen Atlas lighting problems

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas has 56 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

56

Lighting complaints

8%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Atlas lighting complaints by model year56 complaints2018: 14 complaints2019: 2 complaints2021: 56 complaints2022: 11 complaints2023: 10 complaints2024: 6 complaints2025: 1 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Atlas lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

20V504000LightingAugust 26, 2020 · 11 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Atlas Cross Sports and 2021 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side headlight may have been aimed too low during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

A headlight aimed incorrectly aimed reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will adjust the driver's side headlight, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94N7.

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas have?

NHTSA has 56 complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas lighting — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas lighting?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 20V504000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.