2022 Volkswagen Atlas: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, brakes, and airbags. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022- Owner complaints
- 217
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 3
- 2 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2022 Volkswagen Atlas: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Atlas is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 22–23 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20 mpg |
- The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Atlas that averages well under the EPA 20 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Brake grinding and squealing
15,000–26,000 miles
Coolant leaks and warnings
18,000–30,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical521 crash
The infotainment screen reboots, freezes or goes black, taking the backup camera and other safety displays with it. One complete failure at 58,435 miles needed a new control module. Other reports describe the engine shutting off at stops or low speed with a manual restart message, doors that won't lock, false door-open warnings that set the parking brake, and recurring "check tail light" alerts. Dealers often cannot reproduce the faults or say a software update fixes them, but problems return. One report describes an engine-bay fire after electrical faults. Another describes a crash in which the parking sensors did not work.
Brakes491 crash
Grinding, squealing, shuddering and a gurgling sound come up again and again, often worst on the first stops after the car has sat for a few hours. Some reports start within 3k miles. Others start at 15,000 to 26,000 miles. Drivers describe brakes that grab or feel inconsistent. Dealers usually call the noise normal or find nothing worn, and pads replaced once can need replacing again within a year. One crash report blames false automatic emergency braking for a rear-end collision that totaled the car.
Airbags27No crashes
Most reports concern a recall for a front passenger airbag sensor fault that can keep the airbag from deploying in a crash. The campaign most often cited is 24V464000. Owners were notified in June 2024, but repair parts were unavailable for months, and dealers told them to keep the front passenger seat empty. Some cars show an airbag warning light with a repeating chime. A separate report describes side airbags deploying after a minor curb scrape.
Engine24No crashes
Stalling at stops, while slowing, or at low speed is the main complaint. A "start engine manually" message appears, and the driver must shift to park to restart, sometimes in traffic. Turning off start/stop does not prevent it. Dealers often cannot replicate it, though several point to the charcoal canister. Other patterns are oil consumption between changes, leaks from the crankcase oil separator, and coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat housing. One separator failure at 71,602 miles ended in heavy smoke, oil spray and total power loss on a freeway.
Steering8No crashes
Lockup of the wheel while driving is the most serious report. In some cases a red Steering Malfunction warning appears at highway speed, and the driver has to fight the wheel to reach the shoulder. The wheel also locks when the engine stalls in the middle of a turn. Other reports describe a failed electro-mechanical steering gear that makes the car shake, makes noise when the wheel turns, or shimmies when braking above 50 mph, with replacement parts on backorder. One report describes a steering warning light followed by a fire that spread to a house.
Exterior lights8No crashes
Daytime running lights in the LED headlights stop working, often one side and then the other, with no warning light. The strip cannot be repaired alone, so the whole headlight unit is replaced. Owners report quotes of $1,600 to $2,000 per side, and the cost falls on them once the warranty ends. Reported failures start around 40,000 miles and continue past 90k, with one owner citing a 20-60k window. Dealers confirm the fault but offer no assistance.
Automatic emergency braking7No crashes
Automatic emergency braking activates with nothing ahead, at freeway speeds and at 15 to 30 mph. Following cars nearly rear-end the vehicle. Several drivers report repeat events. Dealers say the system can react to small objects and is working as designed. Lane assist with adaptive cruise can brake and jerk the wheel on straight roads. One report describes a false door-open warning that kept setting the parking brake and shifting to park, an issue tied to a recall from February 15, 2023.
Transmission4No crashes
Coolant warnings keep returning. In one case they led to a head gasket failure at 26k miles and a full engine replacement, and in another the warning returned after a head gasket repair. A charcoal canister failure at 33k miles damaged the fuel tank and caused stalling at idle. Misfires with shaking, sudden slowing and an EPC light continue despite repeat dealer visits. A metallic rattle in the driver's side B-pillar and grinding brakes also go unresolved.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Atlas owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
When parking the car it hit the other parking vehicle on the right side of it. The sensors didn't work at the time of the collision or after the collision. The vehicle is taking a force parking when the parking button is turned on.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2021
I came to a stop at a red light and the car turned off/battery died. The car was stuck in the middle lane on a 3 lane road during rush hour. There was no warning of a low battery weeks and days before this issue. I had to push the car into a gas station that was luckily right besides the road with oncoming traffic. Again, I was in drive and came to a stop at a red light then the car died.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
The brakes in this vehicle grind, squeal and jutter and have done so since 3k miles. Under hard stopping conditions I am not confident with this braking system. We have taken the car to the dealership multiple times and every time they advise there is nothing they can do. We have reported the issue to VW of America and they have told me that this is normal, but brakes making these types of sounds and operating this way is not normal.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2024
I have a 2022 Volkswagen atlas with 15k miles on it. My brakes are making a hard sweeping noise when braking. It has been happening for a few weeks now. When I start to push on the breaks no matter the type of weather, it sounds like it is metal on metal. I do not know if it is the calipers sticking or if it is something more.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2022
Airbag Error keeps going off and flashing on the dashboard. Airbag sensor keeps chiming like a person is sitting in the front seat without using seatbelt when there is no one in the front seat and without anything on the seat that may weigh enough to set the sensor off. No active recalls are shown for the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport but there appears to be a similar recall with the 2018-2021 models.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2023
Error: Airbag and the passenger airbag isn’t working. There is a recall for the atlas but my vin isn’t in there. No recall for the brakes but they are in a class action lawsuit and they are squeeling, vibrate and feel like they won’t stop. Dealership claims nothing wrong. But my car I traded in didn’t feel like this. Vw need to take action before accidents happen.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2025
The vehicle had the low oil warning light come on while driving with less than 20k miles. Oil was added and the light came on again a day later. We took to the dealer who stated that there were several premature oil leaks. They offered no explanation for the reasoning and that the parts were on backorder and cannot tell us how long the vehicle will be out of service.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2023
This vehicle is burning excessive engine oil. My vehicle required two quarts of oil before my oil change. This occurred at the 20,000-mile interval and again at 30,000 miles. This vehicle also had two coolant repairs before 30,000 miles. The car has not been in any accidents. The vehicle had no oil.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
How the 2022 compares with other Atlas years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 Atlas years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical5266
- Brakes4924
- Airbags2748
- Engine2423
- Steering810
- Exterior lights88
Where the 2022 fits in the Atlas's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2022 is the fifth model year of the Atlas's first generation (2018–2024).
It includes the 2021 update.
What changed for 2021
- New front end
- Redesigned wheels
- New rear lights
- New steering wheel
Recalls to confirm (7)
Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V464000AirbagsJun 2024
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.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
22V807000SuspensionOct 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Volkswagen Atlas FL and 2022-2023 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The driver-side rear trailing arm bolts may not have been tightened properly, allowing them to loosen and fall out.
Risk: Unsecured bolts may cause the trailing arm to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver side rear trailing arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 25, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42M2.
22V753000EngineOct 2022
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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).
22V657000Trailer HitchesAug 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The trailer hitch bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.
Risk: Loose bolts may fall out, causing the remaining bolts to break, which could lead to separation of the trailer hitch and trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N8.
22V514000Backup cameraJul 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
22V245000Fuel systemApr 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters.
Risk: Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the long fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24iD.
22V152000AirbagsMar 2022
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.
Risk: A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Also looking at these instead of a Atlas?
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2022 owner complaints, side by side
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