120 of the 3,037 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Atlas are about the lighting — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2021.
120
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Daytime Running Lamps inoperable
NHTSA complaint #11764148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My 2021 Volkswagen Atlas at 58,000 miles the passenger side daytime running light stopped working. This is a replacement that can only be completed with an entire headlight assembly replaced the cost of a headlight assembly is between $1800- $2500 which is an astronomical amount to replace just the LED daytime running light.
NHTSA complaint #11762375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger side DRL has failed - requires replacement of entire headlamp assembly
NHTSA complaint #11762010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LED DRL headlight on the passenger side failed at 35k miles. That little, single LED light cannot be replaced without replacing the entire headlight system, which costs almost $2k and requires removing the bumper! Negligent design that conveniently happens once the warranty expired, and despite the low miles of my vehicle. (these are supposed to last to 50k-70k)
NHTSA complaint #11760104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlight LED DRLs went out on passenger side at only 60k miles. To fix, the whole headlight would need to be replaced which is >$1k. LED bulbs should last much longer and there are many other instances of the same problem from other owners across various forums. Seems like this is a VW issue and should warrant a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11758990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Low beam light failed, was replaced under warranty. Now the other side low beam light is out, there is clearly an issue that VW needs to address here, I can't keep replacing headlights every couple years, this is crazy.
NHTSA complaint #11757805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I have had several malfunctions in the past year with my brand new 2025 atlas. It started 6 months into my lease when it threw 7 different lights while driving down the street. I stopped at a light and put the car in park. After that it would not go back in drive. I had to get pushed out of the road with all my kids in the car. And have it towed to the dealership. They stated it just needed an update. After that everything started failing. The sunroof motor had to be replaced. The inside dome lights had to be replaced. The window motor had to be replaced. The infotainment system has repeatedly failed, been replaced and still fails. It has been a total nightmare
NHTSA complaint #11757649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LED DRL headlight stopped working on the passenger side at 90k miles
NHTSA complaint #11756819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger side headlight failed prematurely resulting in only one of the headlights functioning
NHTSA complaint #11755380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Upon visual inspection of the car. Noticed driver’s side headlight outter light not working with no warning indicator. Have been pulled over since issue was first discovered by police. I believe it’s called daytime driving light part of the headlight.
NHTSA complaint #11753203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The light strip / brake light on the tailgate has water inside and stopped working. Error message "please check right tail light."
NHTSA complaint #11752999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My vehicle is experiencing error code C123B01 were water is getting into front emblem due to a malfunctioning seal stated in there Tech bulletin 94-23-01TT which requires changing the emblem and reprogramming it. I had shut down my Day time running lights and parking lights which is a safety hazard. My Drive easy warranty is denying to fix it saying it is is on us. My vehicle was parked in my driveway and we had a lot of rain. When I got into my car the warning light was on for my DRL and parking lights. Volkswagen dealer ship pulled the exact bulletin to diagnose this issue and documented on my repair order. The dealer ship also knowledged to me on the phone they can see my emblem wasn't damaged from the outside. My parking light and running lights will not work on my passenger side due to the emblem seal failure which is a safety concern for me and my children.
NHTSA complaint #11753008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger side Daytime Running Light went out. The vehicle had under 60k miles. Seems like a common problem. For now will not replace because of high price tag and not necessary for safety inspection. The problem is that negates the safety feature on the car.
NHTSA complaint #11752529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRLs went out after the vehicle being on lly a few years old.
NHTSA complaint #11750992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The front right Daytime running light went out at 82K miles.
NHTSA complaint #11750265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Daytime running light went out and needs the whole assembly to be replaced which is $1400+ from the dealership. Vehicle is barley 4 years old
NHTSA complaint #11749401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The Daylight Driving Lights have failed 2X. Very expensive fix. Seems to be a common problem.
NHTSA complaint #11749159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Since purchasing my vehicle, the collision sensor lights on my Atlas go off quite often even if there aren’t vehicles near or by my blindspot while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11748342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly. When parked or reversing. Requires the car to be put in park and then restarted.
NHTSA complaint #11748253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Both set of running lights on my Atlas have burned out and were replaced since purchased of car in 2021 and again both left and right running lights are no longer working. The first time the car was under warranty. The cost to fix the LED running lights are 1500.00 + per light! This is clearly a defect on VW‘s design and should be fixed and fall under a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11747355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.