VolkswagenAtlas2019Overview/volkswagen/atlas/2019/base/

2019 Volkswagen Atlas

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Atlas.

Body SUV

The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is an SUV specified with a 6.0-quart oil capacity at 5W-40 viscosity, and its model year sits at the peak of the 20182026 complaint curve with 465 reports — closely matching the 464 logged for this specific year — driven chiefly by air-bag concerns and 11 recalls. That high-water mark, set against a low of five complaints for the 2026 model, makes the 2019 Atlas the most heavily reported version in the nameplate's early history, a signal that reliability researchers should treat its air-bag and recall record as a defining characteristic of this vintage.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 03H115441. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire size245/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter03H115441 alt 03H198070
Engine air filter3QF129620
Spark plug03H905600A alt 06K905601K
Battery000915089E alt 000915089F
Front wiper blades3CN998002
Serpentine belt022145933AP alt 06L903137A
Thermostat06L121139A alt WHT000863
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198.4 in
Overall width78 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase117.3 in
Curb weight4502 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

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.

7.8–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2019 SEL V6 4MOTION
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
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
2018SEL V6 4MOTION 3.6L V67.90 sec16.00 sec276 hpAWD
2018SEL V6 Premium 4MOTION 3.6L V67.90 sec16.00 sec276 hpAWD
2018SEL V6 Premium 4MOTION 3.6L V67.90 sec16.00 sec276 hpAWD
2021SEL V6 4MOTION Basecamp 3.6L V67.80 sec16.00 sec276 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-40 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 4
Engine CoolantUse VW coolant G13
Engine Coolant Capacity21.1
Engine CoolantVW Coolant G13
Engine Coolant Capacity21.1 qt
Engine Oil5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-40

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsDiesel Engines: 84 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs96 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum102.0
Residual Pressure43.5 Minimum pressure after 10 minutes. psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 148.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0787; Rear: 0.0787 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: .787

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°148 ft. lbs
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°148 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 inch lbs., Step 2: 45°.48 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
129 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.29 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs. Step 2: 22 ft. lbs.. Step 3: 90° using a ratchet. Step 4: Repeat Step 3.11 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90°. Step 3: Repeat Step 2. Step 4: Bolt 11: 3 ft. lbs.. Step 5: Bolt 11: 90°.37 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.44 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.44 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Lower intake6 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180°.22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 80,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
At 40,000 miSunroof Assembly (lubricate)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hood Hinge (lubricate)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 80,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

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 2019 Volkswagen Atlas recorded 465 complaints, 11 recalls, and 705 TSBs. This volume is consistent with the 2018 model's 455 complaints and 810 TSBs, but stands in stark contrast to the 2020 model, which saw a sharp drop to only 26 complaints. Across the generation, the record shows a steady downward trend in TSBs and fluctuating complaint levels, placing the 2019 model at the peak of early-generation instability. The most frequent complaints for 2019 involved Air Bags (111) and Forward Collision Avoidance (36), though the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. Additionally, there were 7 reported crash complaints and 0 fire complaints for the year. Because 2019 represents one of the highest points for complaints and TSBs in the vehicle's history, it is not a recommended year to buy.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
705
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
464
Owner complaints
7 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 464 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags111
Forward Collision Avoidance36
Unknown Or Other28
Service Brakes26
Steering21
Engine19
Electrical System12
Power Train12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V614000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 21/08/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The suction jet in the fuel tank may have been welded in the incorrect position allowing fuel to leak. Additionally, the vehicle… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at…

18V904000Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil SpringsReported 19/12/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture. Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 705 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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.
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries
VW closures 202606082026-06-08Unknown Or OtherMultiple campaign closures dealer communication.
V1719012012855_812026-06-04EngineVolkswagen Engine Oil Standards

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.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Atlas take?

6.0 qt of 5W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Atlas have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.