2021 Volkswagen Atlas Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 3%of 482 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, 3% of the 482 complaints for this model year.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Hi- I have an atlas 2021 Volkswagen Atlas- that was recently serviced for a transmission leak. According to my mechanic, the leak was the result of the plastic cowling rubbing against the cooling tube and after 100k miles the tube wore through. This seems to be a design flaw or defect in the vehicle and not normal wear out. I have pictures of the part of that helps. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11725002, filed 2026-03“There is an error with the start-stop feature and it causes my car to stall while driving it. This is very dangerous considering it tells me to put it in park and start the car manually. It's almost caused me multiple accidents.”
NHTSA complaint #11653990, filed 2025-04“In May I brought the vehicle to the dealership because the vehicle was turning off at low speeds (exiting a parking lot) or switching from Drive to Reverse. This was in conjunction with the check engine light coming on. The dealership diagnosed it as a fuel sensor failure, which they told me was safe to drive, and they'd order the part. I went back the next week when the sensor had been received and the repair was made. Last week, the low fuel alert flashed when I knew the vehicle was not low on fuel. …”
NHTSA complaint #11611715, filed 2024-08“I have had issue after issue with this car ever since I got it. Within the first year of my lease, my car was at the dealership for 4 to 5 months. Most of it in one long stint. The vehicle was consistently having problems. All the while, I’m paying for a car I wasn’t even able to drive for a huge chunk of year 1. One time, the car completely shut down and stopped in the middle of the freeway with my three young children in the car with me. The brakes on this car have been an issue since I bought it as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #11621632, filed 2024-10“The car began revving at lights when I was in drive and stopped at red lights. The normal at rest rev is 0.75 however I have seen it as high as 1.5 and had to put the car into park to reset the acceleration. This had been consistently happening over the past month. The first visit to the dealer, I needed a new battery... that didn't fix the issue. The tech said that after the battery was replaced that the scan showed no error codes. The only codes before the battery replacement were low voltage indicators throughout the car. The next day the same issue happened again. …”
NHTSA complaint #11688381, filed 2025-09Related service bulletins
- 11036874Aug 10, 2026Replacement instruction
- 11025440Oct 14, 2025Cautions about using aftermarket transmission flush machines and aftermarket transmission fluids.
- 11025439Oct 9, 2025Diagnosing Manual Transmission Noise
- 11023844Sep 15, 2025For applicable Settlement Class Vehicles, the New Vehicle Limited Warranty will be extended to cover 50% of the repair or replacement of the Turbocharger by an authorized…
- 11023836Sep 15, 2025This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement. This extension includes 2008-2015 GTI and Golf R*, 2012-2013 VW Beetle*, 2009 VW…
- 11014950Feb 12, 2025CV Boot replacement
- 11008861Sep 17, 2024Fluid requirements
- 11008851Sep 17, 2024Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 11008860Sep 11, 2024Manual transmission noise diagnosing
- 10250803Feb 29, 2024Bevel box leaking, update to Arteon labor operation numbers.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
149 complaintsBrakes
98 complaintsEngine
86 complaintsOther or unknown
79 complaintsExterior lighting
70 complaintsForward collision avoidance
69 complaintsAir bags
66 complaintsFuel system
42 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsSeats
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