VolkswagenAtlas2022Overview/volkswagen/atlas/2022/base/

2022 Volkswagen Atlas

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2022 Atlas.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carries a moderate reliability footprint with 170 owner complaints and 7 recalls on record, with Service Brakes standing out as the top complaint area — a detail researchers should weigh when evaluating this particular model year. Across the Atlas's complaint history spanning 2018 through 2026, the 2022 occupies a comfortable middle ground, sitting well below the 2019 peak of 464 complaints that marked the model's most heavily criticized year. This positioning places the 2022 far closer to the low-complaint territory of recent model years than to the elevated complaint volumes of the Atlas's earlier run, suggesting the model had matured considerably by this point in its lifecycle.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque88.0 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 The manufacturer used many different sized batteries during production of this model. Carefully fit the battery to size. The vehicles battery must be registered and the computer reset with a scan tool after installation. PR-Codes denote type of battery options used. AGM VRLA: PR-J2D: 48; EFB: PR-J0T & PR-J0V: 48; NS Battery Type: PR-J0N: 47, PR-J1D: 48 · O.E. AmpHrs for AGM VRLA Batteries: J2D: 68.0; O.E. AmpHrs for Enhanced Flooded Batteries: J0T: 69.0, J0V: 70.0; NS Batteries: J0N: 61.0, J1D: 72.0 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 The manufacturer used many different sized batteries during production of this model. Carefully fit the battery to size. The vehicles battery must be registered and the computer reset with a scan tool after installation. PR-Codes denote type of battery options used. AGM VRLA: PR-J2D: 48; EFB: PR-J0T & PR-J0V: 48; NS Battery Type: PR-J0N: 47, PR-J1D: 48 · O.E. AmpHrs for AGM VRLA Batteries: J2D: 68.0; O.E. AmpHrs for Enhanced Flooded Batteries: J0T: 69.0, J0V: 70.0; NS Batteries: J0N: 61.0, J1D: 72.0 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/60R18 105TOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter03H115441 alt 03H198070
Engine air filter3QF129620
Spark plug03H905600A alt 06K905601K
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 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

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
2021SEL V6 4MOTION Basecamp 3.6L V67.80 sec16.00 sec276 hpAWD
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
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 88.0 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts88.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts88.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.38-1.48 lbs
Oil Capacity3.40-4.00 oz

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 148.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: 0.787

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect Ball Joint by pulling down on lower control arm then forcing it upward. The joint should also be inspected by moving the lower portion of the tire and wheel in an in and out motion. During inspections allow for normal upper strut mount and wheel bearing wear but no ball joint play should be observed. Step 3: The ball joint should also be replaced if the boot is torn, stud is worn or joint shows any play.
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install New Bolts by Hand. Bolts 1-1037 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90° with the use of a ratchet. Step 4: 90° with the use a a ratchet.11 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)
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 Volkswagen Atlas generation exhibits a volatile federal record, with complaint and recall volumes spiking in 2018, 2019, and 2021, before steadily declining. The 2022 model year sits at the start of this downward arc, improving significantly from the 444 complaints and 16 recalls logged in 2021 down to 170 complaints and 7 recalls. While this represents a major improvement, the 2022 Atlas still carries a higher volume of reported issues than the later, more stable 2023-2026 models, with its top complaint areas being Service Brakes (29), Engine (18), and Air Bags (15); the data does not specify root causes for these, though 3 crash and 2 fire complaints were recorded. Consequently, the 2022 Atlas represents a transitional year in the generation's lifecycle. It is a reasonable used buy if priced well below the more refined later models, provided you secure a thorough pre-purchase inspection specifically targeting the brakes, engine, and airbags.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
442
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
170
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 2 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 170 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes29
Engine18
Air Bags15
Unknown Or Other12
Exterior Lighting10
Electrical System8
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System4
Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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…

22V245000Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:InjectorsReported 13/04/2022

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 442 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.
Customer email_91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherYour vehicle is currently eligible for the 91UB software update designed to:
Dealer 91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherThis OTA update addresses a potential issue with special characters being broadcast over…
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries

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 2022 Atlas have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.