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2022 Volkswagen Atlas problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
41% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Better than 52% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 53 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 32%).
Does the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 82 of 202 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (41%), and the largest group is filed under engine (69). For comparison, the 2021 scores 33% and the 2023 scores 50%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2022 compares with other Volkswagen Atlas years
Of the 6 Volkswagen Atlas years with enough complaints to score, the 2022 is the 2nd-worst on engine and transmission share (41%). The worst is the 2023 (50%), the best the 2020 (20%). By volume, the 2022 drew 255 complaints (82 drivetrain), against 638 for the 2021 and 152 for the 2023.
Volkswagen Atlas years to avoid and best years →
2018 Atlas problems · 2019 Atlas problems · 2020 Atlas problems · 2021 Atlas problems · 2022 · 2023 Atlas problems
The rest of the picture on the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 82 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2022 Volkswagen Atlas engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 7 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
Risk: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at…
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters.
Risk: Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the long fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this…
5 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2022 Volkswagen Atlas? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas
Does the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 82 of 202 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (41%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is service brakes: 70 of 255 complaints (27%) name it, followed by engine (69) and electrical system (64). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 41% of the relevant total.
Is the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 41% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is better than 52% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 6 Volkswagen Atlas years we score, it ranks 2nd-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 7 in total: 22V753000 (engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical), 22V245000 (fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Volkswagen Atlas years are better?
Among the Volkswagen Atlas years we track, the 2020 (20%), the 2019 (30%) and the 2021 (33%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2022 (41%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/volkswagen-atlas
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.