Volkswagen Recalling 21,000 Brand New Atlas SUVs in Canada
Following an update for 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport increased their sales by more than 22 percent in Canada last year. Those who’ve bought one now have to deal with yet another safety recall announced by the automaker.
More specifically, on 20,925 units from the 2024-2025 model years—pretty much every single one out there—the engine cover may come loose after service. If this happens, the engine cover could contact hot surfaces in the engine compartment and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
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The recall notice says that Volkswagen dealers will remove the engine cover, but it doesn’t look like they’ll install a new one.
Volkswagen Canada doesn’t have a dedicated recall website yet. That will change soon thanks to a new regulation from the Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act, which granted Transport Canada the authority to require manufacturers to provide more safety information to Canadians. In the meantime, anyone having questions about a safety recall is invited to contact their local dealer or Volkswagen’s customer service.
The Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport were both refreshed for 2024 including revised front and rear fascias, improved material selection and a new dashboard design. The 3.6-litre V6 was eliminated, while the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine now produces 269 horsepower instead of 235 horsepower. The Atlas accommodates six or seven people, but the two-row Atlas Cross Sport has five seats only.
Six separate recalls affecting the 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport have been announced so far, the previous one as recently as early February. A part inside the transmission could fail and cause a loss of power to the wheels. The bad news is that the transmission needs to be replaced altogether. The good news is that only six 2025 Atlas units are affected in Canada.
