2024 Volkswagen Atlas engine problems

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas has 24 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Engine complaints

10%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Atlas engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

25V100000EngineFebruary 17, 2025 · 177,493 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

23V593000EngineAugust 23, 2023 · 2,018 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas PA2 and Atlas Cross Sport PA 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. In addition, engine failure may cause an oil leak which can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 13i6.

What owners report

“Car exploded. I was driving fine with ac running when all of a sudden gray smoke came out the hood of the car. I stoped in a side street. I turned off the car and the gray smoke became black. I took my phone and ran out. As I ran the car exploded like a bomb on the street and started throwing…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 4, 2024 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas have?

NHTSA has 24 complaints about the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas engine — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas engine?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 23V593000, 25V100000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.