2020 Volkswagen Atlas: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas: 4 recalls, 27 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #22V086000 · 2022 · 3,648 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 atlas and 2020-2021 atlas cross sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "tire selection and…
Why it matters: Without the reduced gvwr label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install the reduced gvwr label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2022.
Airbags Vehicle recall #22V152000 · 2022 · 222,892 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 atlas, 2020-2023 atlas cross sport, and 2021-2023 atlas fl vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts May corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.
Why it matters: A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022.
Tires Vehicle recall #22V815000 · 2022 · 296,044 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen tiguan lwb, golf sportswagen a7, golf alltrack, golf r gp, Audi q3, Audi a3 cabriolet, 2019-2020 jetta nf, jetta gli, golf gti, atlas, golf a7, Audi a3, 2020-2021 atlas cross sport, and 2021 atlas fl vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system May not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four…
Why it matters: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022.
Airbags Vehicle recall #23V215000 · 2023 · 143,053 vehicles
What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 atlas and 2020 atlas cross sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (pods) May experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Why it matters: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the pods sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (11): the most common themes are warning light on (4), door / lock issues (4), electrical failure (4).
- Airbags (8): the most common themes are warning light on (5).
- Forward collision avoidance (7): the most common themes are electrical failure (4), warning light on (3).
- Steering (5): the most common themes are steering problems (5), noise or vibration (4), warning light on (3).
The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas has 27 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 9 Atlas model years for complaints (well below the 222 average). Complaints peaked in 2022 (9 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 71,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (481 complaints, 12 recalls), 2021 (477 complaints, 17 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 Volkswagen Atlas problems?
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (11), airbags (8), forward collision avoidance (7).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 Volkswagen Atlas repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.