Federal safety data shows 3 recalls and 27 complaints for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas, a low safety profile overall. Check the known issues section below for the most common problem areas.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

22V0860002022-16-02

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

22V1520002022-28-03

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

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.

A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

23V2150002023-29-03

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 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.

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Of 27 issues reported over 1 model years, air bags problems are the most common for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas. A pre-purchase inspection should focus here first.

01Air Bags4

02Unknown Or Other2

03Electrical System,unknown Or Other2

04Steering,forward Collision Avoidance2

05Fuel/propulsion System1

27 total across 1 model years (2020–2020)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Volkswagen Atlas Fuel Economy

19–22mpg combined

16-21city

22-24hwy

$3,050-$3,550/yr

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas delivers 19 to 22 MPG combined across 7 powertrain combinations. If fuel cost matters to you, pay attention to engine and drivetrain. The spread is significant.

By Trim

Atlas - Automatic (S8)

22mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

20 city24 hwy~$3,050/yr4/10 Average

Atlas Cross Sport - Automatic (S8)

22mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

21 city24 hwy~$3,050/yr4/10 Average

Atlas Cross Sport 4motion - Automatic (S8)

20mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

18 city23 hwy~$3,400/yr4/10 Average

Atlas - Automatic (S8)

19mpg

3.6L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

17 city23 hwy~$3,550/yr3/10 Poor

Atlas 4motion - Automatic (S8)

19mpg

3.6L 6-cyl · All-Wheel Drive

16 city22 hwy~$3,550/yr3/10 Poor

Atlas Cross Sport - Automatic (S8)

19mpg

3.6L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

17 city23 hwy~$3,550/yr3/10 Poor

Atlas Cross Sport 4motion - Automatic (S8)

19mpg

3.6L 6-cyl · All-Wheel Drive

16 city22 hwy~$3,550/yr3/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2020 Volkswagen Atlas

37States

27%in top 3

Florida has the most inventory at 11%, with options spread across 37 states. Willing to ship? Your selection opens up significantly.

FLFlorida

2,13111%

TXTexas

1,96310%

CACalifornia

1,0586%

ILIllinois

9605%

NYNew York

8084%

DEDelaware

7854%

MOMissouri

7634%

PAPennsylvania

7474%

DCWashington DC

7354%

MNMinnesota

6754%

GAGeorgia

6693%

MDMaryland

6513%

AZArizona

5903%

NCNorth Carolina

5043%

NJNew Jersey

4953%

OHOhio

4542%

TNTennessee

4292%

COColorado

3702%

OK345

CTConnecticut

3192%

WAWashington

3122%

WI276

IN266

MI255

UT234

NE211

NH207

KY198

LA194

NV188

OR165

AL164

MA152

RI128

AR124

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2020.

Buying a 2020 Volkswagen Atlas?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas a good car to buy?

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas has its strengths and its watch-outs. 3 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Owners report air bags as the area to watch most closely. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas?

There are 3 documented recalls for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas?

You'll get between 19 and 22 MPG combined from the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.

What are common problems with the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas?

Out of 27 owner complaints, air bags issues lead the pack. Get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers this area. The known issues breakdown has all the details.