2021 Volkswagen Atlas driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

• Recall 22V514000Jul 20, 202243,091 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:SOFTWARE

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 20V716000Nov 18, 202032,048 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 23, 2026MODriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   I own a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas with approximately 61,000 miles. After a software update prompted by the vehicle, saying it will be done in 3 parts.the infotainment screen began malfunctioning the following day. Initially, the screen would repeatedly go black, restart, work for a short period of time, and then go black again. This issue continued for almost three weeks. The screen is now completely black and no longer turns on. I contacted a Volkswagen dealership about the…

   NHTSA complaint #11752448 · source
2. Filed Jun 28, 2026NYDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The electric board goes black frequently. Also, my backup camera and assistive device for backup doesn’t work. It starts and stops after a second. Posing a big problem with backing up because I have neck injury and can’t adequately see.

   NHTSA complaint #11746984 · source
3. Filed May 28, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemLighting

   The right driver side daylight light is out, the SOS response system warning light is on, tire pressure loss detected light is but tires are fine and no loss in pressure, cruise control doesn’t always work and deactivates.

   NHTSA complaint #11740726 · source
4. Filed Jun 27, 2025WADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   When I went to start my vehicle on 6/26/25, I noticed that the instrument cluster was stating an error: "COMPASS IS NOT AVAILABLE". The vehicle continues to go through an entire list of items not available. including the radio and infotainment system, navigation. I should also mention that the dash also was showing that the outside camera was not available to me. I live in a small town and shopping is very limited and I drive 32 miles for decent groceries and clothes for my…

   NHTSA complaint #11669836 · source
5. Filed Apr 14, 2025NCDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   Upon starting car All ADAS functions did not work. Warning lights came on. Did not work for several days. Took to dealership and they found a sensor in tire to be faulty

   NHTSA complaint #11654604 · source
6. Filed Apr 14, 2025NCDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   Upon starting the car All of the above warning lights came on the dashboard and did not function. Power steering,l and all adas did not function. Took to dealer and sensor was replaced.

   NHTSA complaint #11654600 · source
7. Filed Feb 5, 2025SCDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   For steering: There is a grinding noise that happens each time I turn my wheel when turning into a parking spot or making a non wide turn. It happens every single time that I do it. For Automatic Emergency Braking: It turns on while I am in the middle of driving constantly.

   NHTSA complaint #11640792 · source
8. Filed Sep 14, 2024PADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   after heavy rain, the forward looking radar will start stop working with no warning, cause AEB and forward warning not functioning, greatly increase risk of collision. the problem is consistent with heavy rain, but dealer refuse to do any repair because it didn't happen normally. the problem appeared on 03/31/2024, 06/30/2024, 08/18/2024 every time there is a heavy rain, with picture as proof.

   NHTSA complaint #11614576 · source
9. Filed Aug 1, 2024TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   On [XXX] my 2021 Volkswagen Atlas cut off on [XXX] at the red light and I was almost rear ended multiple times until a kind gentleman moved my car out of the intersection. It has been parked in my driveway since because the battery won't hold a charge. I had the battery tested but the machine read that something is draining the battery even without keys being in the car ignition switch. The windows goes up and down by themselves without the power being engaged. The car is…

   NHTSA complaint #11605970 · source
10. Filed Jul 20, 2024AZDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    My vehicle while driving on the highway at 65-70mph had the automatic emergency brake system engage. We came to a complete stop and if the highway was not empty could have resulted in a traumatic incident for my family and I. I called Volkswagen and they do not have a fix for this issue. This is our only vehicle and we are not comfortable driving it. It could happen again and could be worse than the first time.

    NHTSA complaint #11603547 · source
11. Filed May 4, 2024CADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    I was driving on surface streets at approximately 25mi/hr when the car suddenly breaked on its own all lights in the dash turned red and the car made an alarm sound. This lasted a few seconds but the cars behind me had to break in order not to rear end me. The sudden break felt like I got hit by another car

    NHTSA complaint #11586989 · source
12. Filed Mar 11, 2024NYDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

    The forward collision warning activated out of the blue and the automatic emergency braking was applied for no reason. Was driving to go pick up daughter from school on March 11, 2024 at approximately 11:50 AM. Driving on neighborhood road with speed limit of 40 mph. Driving at 40 mph with no other vehicles anywhere near me in front, behind, or in opposing lane. All of a sudden the front collision warning light on dash popped up and the emergency brakes applied for no…

    NHTSA complaint #11576616 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology