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SteeringPart report

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Steering Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
2%of 482 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the steering of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, 2% of the 482 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“Vehicle lost total control on the freeway I lost control crashed off the freeway into a ditch no airbags deployed the whole frame was total loss the entire atlas lost control No airbags as I went into a ditch hit a freeway sign and I’m still suffering nerve damage and chronic back pain”

NHTSA complaint #11762777, filed 2026-09

“Steering wheel vibrates when going 55mph and over. Tired have been balanced and aligned I bought new tires and rims and got them balanced and aligned as well spent a lot of money and it’s still an issue. Vehicle pulls to the left, even with an alignment done. Taken to multiple shops they “can’t find the issue” .. my brakes grind, squeak, but again they said they are perfectly fine. …”

NHTSA complaint #11594115, filed 2024-06

“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, filed 2025-02

“After starting vehicle the steering wheel locked up. It would allow you to drive forward and reverse but would not allow the steering wheel to turn. Prior to failure my wife and I noticed sometimes while driving down the interstate or highway it was difficult to turn steering wheel. Although random it was concerning checked power steering fluid and belts all looked good. Yesterday had to have vehicle towed due to faulty steering wheel.”

NHTSA complaint #11652929, filed 2025-04

“The EPC light came on and caused the vehicle to stop working, steering, brakes, sped, were affected immediately as I was on the interstate.car was basically limping. I dropped car off at dealer and they said it was misfiring due to bags gas. Car has 8000 miles and was only 9 months old. Repairs cost over $2000 and they said it was not covered under warranty as the fuel injector was damaged after what they said is bad gas. It is a know issue the fuel injectors are bad with the VW atlas. …”

NHTSA complaint #11453750, filed 2022-02

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202524%
202432%
202332%
202263%
2021112%
2020519%
2019398%
2018276%

Other parts of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

Electrical system
149 complaints
Brakes
98 complaints
Engine
86 complaints
Other or unknown
79 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
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 30, 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