Ford Explorer vs Volkswagen Atlas: reliability compared
From 2018 to 2026, owners filed an average of 368 complaints per model year about the Ford Explorer and 227 about the Volkswagen Atlas.
Side by side
| Ford Explorer | Volkswagen Atlas | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2018-2026 | 2018-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 3,314 | 2,039 |
| Complaints per model year | 368 | 227 |
| Recalls | 76 | 48 |
| Years to avoid | None stand out | None stand out |
| Best years | 20192022 | 201820202022 |
| Most common problem | Transmission | Electrical |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 19-24 mpg combined (2026) | 21-23 mpg combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Explorer | Atlas | |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | 815 | 115 |
| Body | 541 | 44 |
| Engine | 407 | 388 |
| Electrical | 407 | 499 |
| Driver assistance | 350 | 304 |
| Visibility | 220 | 40 |
| Airbags | 46 | 376 |
| Brakes | 169 | 364 |
| Fuel system | 158 | 159 |
Questions about the Ford Explorer vs Volkswagen Atlas
Which is more reliable, the Ford Explorer or the Volkswagen Atlas?
Between 2018 and 2026, the Ford Explorer has 0 years to avoid and the Volkswagen Atlas 0. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Volkswagen Atlas drew fewer complaints per model year (227 vs 368), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Volkswagen Atlas?
From 2018 to 2026, the Ford Explorer was covered by 76 recalls and the Volkswagen Atlas by 48.
What years of the Ford Explorer and Volkswagen Atlas should you avoid?
Ford Explorer: no year stands out. Volkswagen Atlas: no year stands out.
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