The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas's low safety profile includes 4 recall campaigns and 29 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

25V0810002025-12-02

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The transmission may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loss of drive power.

A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

25V1000002025-17-02

ENGINE

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.

A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

View at NHTSA

25V3340002025-21-05

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

View all 4 recalls

25V4340002025-30-06

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas has accumulated 29 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with forward collision avoidance leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Forward Collision Avoidance2

02Power Train,engine2

03Power Train,electrical System2

04Unknown Or Other2

05Steering2

29 total across 1 model years (2025–2025)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Volkswagen Atlas Fuel Economy

20–23mpg combined

18-20city

25-26hwy

$1,900-$2,200/yr

With 6 configurations tested, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas ranges from 20 to 23 MPG combined. That's a 3 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Atlas Cross Sport - Automatic (S8)

23mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

20 city26 hwy~$1,900/yr5/10 Average

Atlas - Automatic (S8)

22mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

20 city26 hwy~$2,000/yr5/10 Average

Atlas Cross Sport 4motion - Automatic (S8)

21mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

19 city26 hwy~$2,100/yr4/10 Average

Atlas SE 4motion - Automatic (S8)

21mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

19 city26 hwy~$2,100/yr4/10 Average

Atlas SEL 4motion - Automatic (S8)

21mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

18 city25 hwy~$2,100/yr4/10 Average

Atlas 4motion Peak Edition - Automatic (S8)

20mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

18 city25 hwy~$2,200/yr4/10 Average

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

Where to Find 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

38States

26%in top 3

If you're near Florida, you're in luck: 10% of listings are there. But with 38 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

FLFlorida

1,84710%

TXTexas

1,76410%

ILIllinois

1,0956%

CACalifornia

9515%

MOMissouri

7954%

DEDelaware

7414%

PAPennsylvania

7324%

GAGeorgia

7154%

DCWashington DC

6904%

MNMinnesota

6634%

NYNew York

6173%

MDMaryland

5933%

AZArizona

5793%

NCNorth Carolina

4372%

OHOhio

4302%

COColorado

4062%

TNTennessee

4002%

OKOklahoma

3922%

WAWashington

3422%

NJNew Jersey

3402%

IN259

WI258

MI252

NV244

KY238

UT221

NE213

NH203

OR176

CT172

AR157

AL151

MA144

LA132

SC111

RI106

VA101

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2025.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Buyer FAQ

What to know before you buy

Is the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas a good car to buy?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas has 4 recalls on record. There are 4 recalls on record, so check that they've been completed before buying. The most commonly reported issue area is forward collision avoidance, which is worth inspecting during a test drive. Review the safety data and pricing breakdown above.

Are there recalls on the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas?

NHTSA shows 4 recall campaigns for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas. Before buying, verify all recalls are complete. The dealer must fix them at no charge. See the safety section for the full list.

What's the gas mileage of the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas?

Depending on configuration, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas delivers 20–23 MPG combined. Choose wisely. The full comparison shows how engine choice affects your wallet.

What are common problems with the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas?

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE is the number-one complaint area for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, based on 29 NHTSA filings. During a test drive, pay extra attention to this system. See the known issues section for the full breakdown.