Best and worst VW Atlas years — which to avoid

As a fairly new model, the VW Atlas makes a solid pick in the SUV class, especially with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that has decent fuel economy and great power output. However, there are some driver reports complaining about the VW Atlas years to avoid, so we’ll take a look at those in this guide.

Our team of experts reviewed the model years so that you don’t have to bother, and we used numerous channels of information from NHTSA reports, to driver complaints and some official recalls issued by the manufacturer. So, join us as we not only discuss which years to avoid and their problems but also the most desirable years of the SUV.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst VW Atlas years

In the making of this guide, our team used a variety of different information from reputable websites such as Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and Consumer Reports. Along with ownership reviews, we naturally had to dive deep into the reliability scores and ratings, as well as complaints and recall logs listed on NHTSA and similar sites.

Finally, we reviewed the VW forums searching for more information on what it’s like to own an Atlas and figure out the main problems that affected certain model years. After doing some thorough checkups, we’ve come up with this list of the best and worst VW Atlas years:

Most common VW Atlas problems

We are not saying that the Atlas is an unreliable model, but certain 1. issues stuck with it over the production years, even though it debuted recently in 2018. With that in mind, we’ll decide on the value of the model and its reliability after going through all the common problems and the problematic model years.

1. Problems with the brakes

Among the frequent issues that came with the VW Atlas, there are some problems with the brakes that stand out from the bunch. These seem to be pretty common in almost every model, and it all started with the 2018 Atlas.

One of the most common problems is the matter of squeaky brakes and grinding noises coming from the brakes. Besides the bothersome noises from the braking system, there are several other common issues including suspension issues caused by front wheel bearings and leaks in the fuel delivery system.

While the squeaking and grinding noises from the brakes can be bothersome on their own, the noise is just the beginning of the problems. The issue is mostly caused by the unlubricated caliper guide pins. On top of that, the matter of bracket bolts is not securely placed which may lead to the calipers moving and reduction of the braking performance of the car. There were several recalls to deal with the braking system problem from 2018 to 2020.

2. Suspension-related issues

Besides the issues caused by braking system malfunctions, we’ve seen quite a few reports on faulty suspension parts. These mostly include faulty front wheel bearings, but drivers also had to face broken axles and similar issues. To be precise, loose bolts may cause separation of the wheel bearings and that leads to a loss of control while driving.

Besides the loose wheel bearing bolts, the 2018-2019 Atlas also had issues with fractured rear coil springs. This can be a big issue not only for the vehicle’s suspension but also for the tires since fractures may rupture the tire tread and therefore put the driver and passengers at risk.

3. Fuel delivery system leaks

Leaks within the fuel lines are quite troubling and sadly VW Atlas also had a few issues with these. Some owners have reported issues with the leaks directly from the fuel tank due to thin tank walls. To make things worse, fuel leaks near the source of ignition led to fire hazards, so that’s why it’s crucial to have the fuel delivery lines and the tank checked by a trusted mechanic when buying a used Atlas.

It’s a good thing that this issue was mostly present on 2018 Atlas vehicles and there’s been a recall by Volkswagen in which the dealerships replaced faulty fuel tanks free of charge. The least you can do based on this is get a model that got the tank replaced and that will cut the worries about fire hazards due to leaky fuel lines and tank.

4. Airbag inflator module faults

Finally, the Atlas was affected by faulty airbag inflator modules and this often causes the SRS light to pop up on the dashboard. This warning showed up since the faulty module could lead to improper passenger-side airbag inflation and pose a safety risk for the passenger seat occupants.

As you may have probably guessed based on previous issues, Volkswagen dealt with the issue through a recall in 2018. It’s still a major downside if you get a car that hasn’t been through the recall, so we recommend that you check the airbag system with the help of a trusted mechanic before the purchase.

Worst VW Atlas years to avoid

Based on the mentioned problems, we can now move on to the most problematic years of the VW Atlas. While the car hasn’t been in production for too long, keeping in mind that there’s only one generation so far, there are still some model years that are reported to be less reliable than others.

It also depends on the mileage since low-mileage models are unlikely to develop some of these problems before the certain mileage limit. So, the big question that arises here is – what are the worst VW Atlas years?

The worst VW Atlas years are 2018 and 2019, and we’ll further discuss those two below to show you why you might want to steer away from them.

First-generation VW Atlas (2018-2019 model years)

The first generation of the Atlas started with a few bumps since the 2018 model wasn’t the most reliable SUV out there. It’s still the worst Atlas model in terms of reliability today, so it’s best to skip this one even if it’s in mint condition with low mileage.

Some of the major problems that affected the reliability of this model include fuel line leaks poor fuel tank assembly, unlubricated brake caliper pins, and airbag inflator issues.

Drivers have also complained about the seatbelt buckle assembly for the passenger’s side anchor and suspension problems caused by fractured coil springs. Overall, these issues started showing up as the vehicle passed around 60,000 miles, and the 2019 model didn’t make things much better.

It also faced a lot of criticism due to side window airbags and problems with the exterior lights, along with fuel tank assembly issues that repeated once again. On top of that, there was a 2020 recall that affected 2018 and 2019 models that failed to comply with driving safety standards due to problems with seatbelts and airbags. So, if you wish to get the most reliable and safest Atlas model, we suggest you start looking at the 2020 model.

What are the best VW Atlas years to buy?

While the early production stage was a bit bumpy for the Atlas, the situation quickly got better with the 2020 and 2021 models. Even with low-mileage examples, the problems of the previous models were quite visible, and we made sure to give you a brief overview of the best models through this list:

• 2020
• 2021
• 2022

The 2020 model received the least complaints by far, making it the best Atlas model out there. You can rest assured that the safety issues that came along with the 2018 and 2019 models were eradicated by this time, along with the fuel leak situation.

2020 VW Atlas

The best thing about the 2020 model is that it received an extremely low amount of complaints, as proven by the NHTSA reports. This doesn’t only relate to the low-mileage ones, but also the models that have passed more than 120,000 miles.

You can also see that the later models had more complaints than this one, so it’s the safest option. That being said, the 2020 model makes the best pick, especially having positive feedback in mind and the fact that VW managed to fix all of the problems of the early model years for this one, even including the situation with airbags and fuel tank leaks.

Is VW Atlas worth buying?

The VW Atlas is worth buying as a used car as long as you avoid the problematic 2018 and 2019 models. These came with a few issues that you shouldn’t have to deal with as an owner of a relatively new high-quality SUV. The Atlas is by no means a premium model, but it’s still much better than cost-effective solutions and such problems shouldn’t be happening considering the value of the car.

So, we wanted to invest extra effort to bring you all the good and bad things about the model in the hope to help you avoid the worst model years.

Wonder about which model years might throw a wrench in your plans? Our thorough investigations into models like Chevy Traverse years to avoid, Buick Enclave years to avoid, and GMC Acadia years to avoid spotlight those years best to stay clear of.