VolkswagenAtlas2020Overview/volkswagen/atlas/2020/base/

2020 Volkswagen Atlas

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Atlas.

Serving as a notably more stable iteration of the Volkswagen Atlas platform, the 2020 model logged just 26 owner complaints and four recalls, with airbags representing the primary area of concern. This marks a dramatic improvement from the nameplate's 2019 peak of 465 complaints across the 20182026 lineage, placing the 2020 iteration far closer to the all-time low of five complaints documented for 2026. Consequently, the 2020 Atlas sits as a pivotal turning point in the model's reliability history, meaning researchers can view this year as the point where the vehicle transitioned from a problematic early run into a substantially more dependable offering.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. PRJ0N: 47; PRJ1D: 48. PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. O. E. Battery is an Enhanced Flooded Battery, EFB. PRJ0T & PRJ0V: 48. PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. AGM VRLA battery is required. PRJ2D: 48 · PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. PRJ0N: 61 O.E. AmpHrs.; PRJ1D: 72 O.E. AmpHrs. PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. O. E. Battery is an Enhanced Flooded Battery, EFB. PRJ0T: 69 O.E. AmpHrs.; PRJ0V: 70 O.E. AmpHrs. PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. AGM VRLA battery is required. PRJ2D: 68 O.E. AmpHrs. CCA battery, 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.

Battery groupBCI PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. PRJ0N: 47; PRJ1D: 48. PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. O. E. Battery is an Enhanced Flooded Battery, EFB. PRJ0T & PRJ0V: 48. PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. AGM VRLA battery is required. PRJ2D: 48 · PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. PRJ0N: 61 O.E. AmpHrs.; PRJ1D: 72 O.E. AmpHrs. PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. O. E. Battery is an Enhanced Flooded Battery, EFB. PRJ0T: 69 O.E. AmpHrs.; PRJ0V: 70 O.E. AmpHrs. PR Codes are from the factory and refer to installed options. The manufacturer used many types of batteries during production. Battery must be sized to fit. Battery must be registered after installation with a proper scan tool. The vehicles computer needs to be reset after installation. AGM VRLA battery is required. PRJ2D: 68 O.E. AmpHrs. CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/65R17, P245/60R18, P255/50R20, P265/45R21OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5, 8, 8, 9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter03H115441 alt 03H198070
Engine air filter3QF129620
Spark plug06K905601K alt 03H905600A
Battery000915089E alt 000915089BC
Front wiper blades3CN998002
Serpentine belt06L903137A alt 022145933AP
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 weight4442 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.

7.2–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2018 TSI SE
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
2021SEL V6 4MOTION Basecamp 3.6L V67.80 sec16.00 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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs96.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.38-1.49 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40-4.00 oz

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueUse new bolts. 26.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 148.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: .787

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 45°48 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M8 Bolts22 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
129.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°29 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°44 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°44 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: Side Bolts: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Side Bolts: 90°48 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 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; coolant every 20,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 20,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
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) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

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 2020 Volkswagen Atlas stands out sharply in the federal record: with only 26 complaints and 4 recalls, it is by far the lowest-complaint model year in the generation, compared to 455–465 complaints in 20182019 and 447 in 2021. The 2020 year also has zero crash or fire complaints, and its top issues—air bags (4), electrical system (2), and steering/forward collision avoidance (2)—are reported in very low numbers. While the 614 technical service bulletins (TSBs) indicate that Volkswagen continued to issue service guidance, the complaint trend across the generation shows a dramatic dip in 2020 before rising again in 2021, suggesting that 2020 may represent a particularly well-built or low-incident production year. The data does not specify why complaints are so low, but the numbers alone make the 2020 model a statistically strong choice. **For a used buyer, the 2020 Atlas is the most reliable year in the generation based on federal data, making it a recommended pick if you can find one.**

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
614
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
26
Owner complaints
0 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 26 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags4
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other2
Steering,Forward Collision Avoidance2
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train,Electrical System,Air Bags1
Steering1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V086000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 16/02/2022

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… Remedy: Dealers will install the reduced GVWR label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at…

22V152000Air Bags:Side/WindowReported 28/03/2022

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 614 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
V1719012012855_812026-06-04EngineVolkswagen Engine Oil Standards
V0026012081638_12026-05-19Unknown Or OtherDifference between Component fluid leakage and seepage

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

Does the 2020 Atlas have open recalls?

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