VehicleVerdict

2023 Volkswagen Atlas problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 163 owner complaints run below the Atlas median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (32), electrical system (24), and other (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

163

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other Atlas years?

Atlas NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted724 complaints2018: 654 complaints2019: 695 complaints2020: 49 complaints2021: 724 complaints2022: 267 complaints2023: 163 complaints2024: 240 complaints2025: 63 complaints2026: 8 complaints
Atlas NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Atlas years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Volkswagen Atlas problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3220%
Electrical System2415%
Airbags2213%
Other2213%
Driver Assistance1610%
Brakes149%
Fuel System117%
Lighting106%
Transmission53%
Steering21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Seats11%
Speed Control11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V434000BrakesJune 30, 2025 · 546 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

24V464000AirbagsJune 20, 2024 · 271,330 units

Defect

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.

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 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.

22V753000EngineOctober 7, 2022 · 76,515 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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).

22V718000BrakesSeptember 26, 2022 · 555 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 model year Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Certain brake lines may leak at the threaded connections.

Consequence

A brake fluid leak may increase the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 23, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47T2.

22V152000AirbagsMarch 28, 2022 · 222,892 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Driving 45 mph on the highway, the vehicle suddenly loses power and shuts off. Dash instructed me to place the car in park and start the vehicle manually. This has happened 4+ times in the last two months. Volkswagen dealer states that no codes are showing and they are unable to fix it. This is…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 15, 2024

“While driving the main instrument panel turned off for about 10 seconds and restarted with default values, loat ability to see my speed and other vehicle information. This is not the radio I am talking about the main instrument that has speedometer tachometer fuel and temp gauges The car did seem…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 4, 2025

“There is something wrong with the infotainment system in my car. It doesn't matter if my phone is hardwired via a USB-C cable or connected wirelessly via CarPlay. It happens even when my wife is using her phone too. My infotainment system keeps disconnecting. We are both owners of iPhones she has…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 14, 2025

“The contact owned a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, a vehicle was coming towards her in the opposite direction making a left turn, and she collided with another vehicle on its front passenger side. No air bags were deployed. The vehicle was towed to an independent…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 27, 2024 · crash

“I was driving on a city road and making a right turn on a green light, I glanced to the left to avoid any driver possibly crossing a red light as I usually do as a defensive driver! Before I know it my SUV had jumped the median divider into the other side of the road and landed on another vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · February 21, 2023 · crash

2023 Volkswagen Atlas — common questions

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 163 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Atlas year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2023 Atlas problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (32 complaints), electrical system (24 complaints), other (22 complaints).

Does the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Atlas years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Atlas years to avoid are 2021, 2019, 2018. The cleanest record among Atlas years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.