VolkswagenAtlas2025Overview/volkswagen/atlas/2025/base/

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2025 Atlas.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas carries forward with an S8 automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. From a reliability standpoint, the model year has accumulated 36 owner complaints — with the powertrain standing as the most-cited concern — and sits alongside four open recalls, a contained footprint against the nameplate's broader arc. That arc, spanning 2018 through 2026, includes a turbulent peak in 2019 with 464 complaints, against which the 2025's figures appear modest, even as they remain well above the five complaints logged for 2026. For a researcher, the picture is of a model that has clearly stepped back from its early-generation troubles, though the persistent powertrain focus and active recalls indicate Volkswagen has not entirely closed the book on this generation's rough patches.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy20/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200.8 in
Overall width78 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase117.3 in
Curb weight4442 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Atlas of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.2–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2018 TSI SE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2024SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.40 sec269 hpAWD
2024SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-47.50 sec15.70 sec269 hpAWD
2024SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-47.50 sec15.60 sec269 hpAWD
2021SEL V6 4MOTION Basecamp 3.6L V67.80 sec16.00 sec276 hpAWD
2019SEL V6 4MOTION 3.6L V67.80 sec15.90 sec276 hpAWD
2019SEL V6 4MOTION 3.6L V68.00 sec16.10 sec276 hpAWD
2018TSI SE 2.0L Turbo I-47.20 sec15.60 sec235 hpFWD
2018SE V6 3.6L V67.30 sec15.60 sec276 hpFWD

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2025 Atlas sits at the low‑point of a clear downward trend: complaints have fallen from a peak of 454 in 2018 to just 36 in 2025, while recalls dropped from 16 that same year to 4, and investigations have been absent since 2024. Technical Service Bulletins also declined sharply, reaching only 180 in 2025 compared with 810 in 2018, indicating fewer manufacturer‑issued fixes. The remaining complaints are concentrated in Power Train (3), Unknown/Other (3), Electrical System/Engine (2) and Electrical System (2), with only one crash‑related complaint and no fire complaints reported. This data suggests the 2025 model benefits from the generation’s overall improvement in reliability and reduced regulatory scrutiny. **Takeaway:** based on the record, 2025 is a strong year to buy a used Atlas.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
180
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
36
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 36 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train3
Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System,Engine2
Electrical System2
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Power Train,Engine2
Power Train,Electrical System2
Steering2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

25V081000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 12/02/2025

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The transmission may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loss of drive power. Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298…

25V100000EngineReported 17/02/2025

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose… Remedy: Dealers will remove the engine cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 180 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
V0125062079645_32026-06-22EngineExcess flashing left behind during the intake manifold injection molding process can…
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V9026012080911_12026-06-16Unknown Or OtherReprogramming Peripheral Camara Module -J928-.
Customer email_91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherYour vehicle is currently eligible for the 91UB software update designed to:

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Atlas. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2025 Atlas have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Atlas get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.