2022 Volkswagen Atlas
Common Problems
Ranked from 95 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
14 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Brake Grinding and Squealing
22complaintsHigh severityOtherThe brakes produce a grinding and squealing noise, especially during the initial use of the vehicle.
$250–$700est. brake pads + rotors (per axle) · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Random Engine Shutdown During Driving
20complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine unexpectedly shuts off while driving, requiring the vehicle to be restarted manually.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 22V753000
- 3
Faulty Airbags and Sensor Issues
18complaintsSafety riskElectricalPassenger airbags and sensors fail to deploy or malfunction, posing a risk in collisions.
- 4
Automatic Emergency Braking System Failure
13complaintsSafety riskOtherThe automatic emergency braking system malfunctions, causing sudden and violent braking.
- 5
Infotainment System Failure
9complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe infotainment system frequently fails, going black or rebooting, affecting safety features.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Daytime Running Light Failure
5complaintsMedium severityOtherDaytime running lights fail frequently, requiring replacement of the entire headlight assembly.
- 7
Engine Stalling and Restart Issues
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine randomly stalls and requires manual restart, posing a risk to the driver and passengers.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 22V753000
- 8
Engine Water Pump Failure
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine water pump frequently fails, leading to coolant leaks and engine shutdowns.
$400–$1,400est. water pump replacement · 2–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 22V753000
- 9
Windshield Cracking
5complaintsLow severityOtherWindshields crack easily with minimal impact, requiring costly repairs and recalibration for safety features.
- 10
Coolant System Issues Leading to Engine Shutdown
4complaintsHigh severityEngineCoolant system failures lead to engine shutdowns and require frequent repairs, posing a safety risk.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 22V753000
- 11
Brake Pad Quality Issues
2complaintsMedium severityBrakesNew vehicles come with poor-quality brake pads that produce loud noises and inconsistent braking.
$250–$700est. brake pads + rotors (per axle) · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Parking Brake Engaging Unexpectedly
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe parking brake engages unexpectedly while driving, causing sudden stops and potential accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Sunroof Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe panoramic sunroof spontaneously explodes or shatters without any apparent cause.
- 14
Windows Rolling Down Unintentionally
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalAll windows roll down unintentionally when the engine is started, leading to potential damage from cold temperatures.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.