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Other or unknownPart report

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Other or unknown Problems

Complaints
79about this part
Share
16%of 482 total for the year
Median mileage
415miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 79 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, 16% of the 482 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 415 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My wife had just gotten onto interstate and tire light comes on. Was trying to get to next exit to check but heard a popping noise and then car started swerving. Got to side of road and all the tire was gone from right rear except rim bead area and about 1 inch of sidewall. New car with 680 miles using pirelli scorpion zero 265/45 r21 104t tires that were factory installed. After tow repair replace with spare tire I located all the tread tire against median wall on highway where it had stopped. Except for having separated from rim bead of tire it was intact. …”

NHTSA complaint #11383452, filed 2020-12, 680 miles

“Adaptive cruise control malfunctions and is rendered useless when vehicle is started utilizing remote start. Vehicle must be stopped turned off and started with push button in order to clear the malfunction and use cruise control. Volkswagen USA technicians told dealer technician that there is no fix for the issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11350629, filed 2020-08, 150 miles

“Rattling or metal grinding sound coming from the right rear tire/wheel. I’ve had it checked out by two different dealerships and neither of them found a problem. The metal rattling noise occurs mostly while I’m doing in town driving (30-40 mph) but recently started doing it on the freeway as well. I don’t feel safe driving this car at all.”

NHTSA complaint #11648415, filed 2025-03

“There issue with bad smell or chemicals that causes an health issues. I tried resolving on several issues it's always more money. To resolve,there several Dealship that appraiser now it's at the lowest with the same deal.. There bleeding& spitting. Once come vehicle for and day. I've been there several times.”

NHTSA complaint #11728357, filed 2026-03

“pulling into a parking, backing out of my driveway on to the road, rolling with my foot off the gas preparing to brake the car shut off in gear. it is very dangerous happening when we back out of the driveway on to the road having to shift to park and manually restart the car. it happens with the auto shut off both on and off. this is a big issue that needs resolved before someone gets seriously hurt.”

NHTSA complaint #11669181, filed 2025-06

Related service bulletins

Other or unknown: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026321%
20251224%
20243218%
20232618%
20222715%
20217916%
2020519%
20196213%
20187316%

Other parts of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

Electrical system
149 complaints
Brakes
98 complaints
Engine
86 complaints
Exterior lighting
70 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
69 complaints
Air bags
66 complaints
Fuel system
42 complaints
Body and structure
22 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
15 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Steering
11 complaints
Seats
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology