Owners have reported 3 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to NHTSA for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints52
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving the infotainment system and the start-stop functionality. Symptoms include the infotainment screen going blank or rebooting, and the vehicle unexpectedly stalling at low speeds or when stopped, often requiring a manual restart. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with some occurring as early as 24,000 miles. Safety concerns are evident, as one complaint involves a crash and another a fire, while several reports highlight the risk of stalling in traffic. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential electrical issues, especially when considering vehicles with higher mileage that may be out of warranty.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints49
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report frequent issues with the brake system of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, with common symptoms including grinding noises, squeaking, and inconsistent braking. Complaints often describe these noises occurring both at the start of driving and during regular use, sometimes resulting in a feeling of brake slippage or grabbing. Many reports indicate these symptoms appear in vehicles with as few as 3,000 to 20,000 miles. One crash is noted, involving the automatic emergency braking system activating unexpectedly, leading to a rear-end collision. These patterns suggest potential safety implications, with some owners expressing concerns about the reliability of the braking system.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints27
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas frequently report issues related to airbag system failures, particularly involving the front passenger airbag sensor and associated warnings. Common symptoms include the illumination of the airbag warning light and audible chimes, with many complaints indicating that the vehicle's instrument cluster displays airbag error messages. These problems often occur at various mileage points, with some reports noting occurrences around 54,000 miles. A significant number of complaints mention delays in recall repairs, with parts being unavailable for extended periods, leaving owners unable to safely use the front passenger seat. Safety implications include the potential for airbags not deploying during a collision, which is a critical concern for potential buyers considering this model.
Owner complaints24
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas frequently experiences engine stalling, particularly when coming to a stop or while idling, with multiple mentions of the need to manually restart the engine. This issue is often accompanied by a start/stop error message, and some owners note the problem persists despite the auto start/stop feature being deactivated. Complaints also highlight premature oil leaks and excessive oil consumption, with some vehicles requiring frequent oil top-offs between changes. Additionally, several reports describe coolant leaks and related failures in the water pump or thermostat housing. These issues typically appear within the first 30,000 miles and pose potential safety risks, including the possibility of stalling in traffic, creating a crash hazard.
Owner complaints22
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas frequently report issues with the vehicle's infotainment and navigation systems, with symptoms including delayed startup and incorrect location mapping. Complaints also highlight problems with the panoramic sunroof spontaneously shattering and the vehicle stalling at low speeds, sometimes with no warning lights or error codes. These issues often occur in vehicles with mileage as low as 10 miles to around 42,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with one report of a vehicle fire and multiple instances of sudden vehicle shutdowns posing risks of rear-end collisions. This pattern of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
STEERING
Owners report that the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas frequently experiences steering-related issues, including the steering wheel locking unexpectedly while driving, which leads to a temporary loss of control. Complaints often describe dashboard warning lights, particularly the EPC and steering malfunction indicators, flashing during these incidents. Some owners mention the problem occurring both at low speeds and on highways, with one incident involving a fire following a steering warning light. The reported issues often appear soon after purchase, with multiple owners noting the inability of dealerships to permanently resolve the problem. These steering failures pose significant safety risks, including potential accidents due to loss of control.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas frequently report issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system. Complaints commonly describe unexpected activation of the emergency braking system, often without any apparent obstacles or vehicles nearby, leading to sudden stops that nearly result in rear-end collisions. Several reports highlight these incidents occurring at various speeds, from low-speed driving in driveways to freeway speeds, with some owners experiencing repeated occurrences. Additionally, some owners note false positives from other sensors, such as side object detection. These issues are often mentioned in conjunction with safety concerns, particularly due to the risk of being rear-ended. While specific mileage is not consistently noted, the recurrence of these issues suggests they may happen early in the vehicle's life.
Owner complaints4
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas frequently report issues related to the power train, with recurring problems involving the coolant system and head gasket failures. Complaints often describe coolant warnings and low coolant levels, with some owners experiencing head gasket replacements and even full motor replacements around 26,000 miles. Misfiring and deceleration are also reported, often accompanied by error messages and warning lights, impacting vehicle reliability and posing potential safety risks during traffic maneuvers. Additionally, some owners mention metallic rattles, hard-to-move shifters, and persistent coolant disappearance without warning lights. These issues are reported to occur at various mileages, sometimes as early as 1,500 miles, and raise concerns about potential vehicle stalling and compromised safety.
Owner complaints3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas report recurring issues with the fuel and propulsion system, frequently noting check engine lights and stalling incidents. Common symptoms include random shutdowns while driving, often resulting in a loss of steering and control, and rough driving with vehicle shaking. Some owners mention repeated failures of components such as the fuel leak detection pump, spark plugs, and ignition coils, often despite multiple repairs. These issues typically occur without clear mileage patterns, but the safety implications include the potential for accidents due to sudden stalling in traffic. Additionally, there is confusion reported over recommended fuel grades, with discrepancies between vehicle labels and dealership advice, which may contribute to these problems.
Owner complaints2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas report issues related to the engine and engine cooling system, specifically involving coolant leaks and stalling. Complaints frequently mention unexplained coolant loss, with one owner noting the need to add coolant weekly despite no external leaks being visible. Another owner describes the vehicle stalling at stoplights, accompanied by an illuminated coolant system warning light, and a diagnosis pointing to a water pump replacement that did not resolve the issue. These problems are noted at mileages around 15,969 and 90,000, indicating potential early and later-stage concerns. No reports of crashes, fires, or loss of control are associated with these complaints.
