Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas: reliability compared
From 2018 to 2026, owners filed an average of 241 complaints per model year about the Toyota Highlander and 227 about the Volkswagen Atlas.
Side by side
| Toyota Highlander | Volkswagen Atlas | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2018-2026 | 2018-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 2,166 | 2,039 |
| Complaints per model year | 241 | 227 |
| Recalls | 19 | 48 |
| Years to avoid | 20192021 | None stand out |
| Best years | None stand out | 201820202022 |
| Most common problem | Transmission | Electrical |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 24-35 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
| Highlander | Atlas | |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | 731 | 115 |
| Brakes | 258 | 364 |
| Fuel system | 232 | 159 |
| Engine | 221 | 388 |
| Body | 185 | 44 |
| Electrical | 169 | 499 |
| Airbags | 151 | 376 |
| Driver assistance | 117 | 304 |
Questions about the Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas
Which is more reliable, the Toyota Highlander or the Volkswagen Atlas?
Between 2018 and 2026, the Toyota Highlander has 2 years to avoid and the Volkswagen Atlas 0. The Volkswagen Atlas has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Volkswagen Atlas drew fewer complaints per model year (227 vs 241), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Toyota Highlander or the Volkswagen Atlas?
From 2018 to 2026, the Toyota Highlander was covered by 19 recalls and the Volkswagen Atlas by 48.
What years of the Toyota Highlander and Volkswagen Atlas should you avoid?
Toyota Highlander: 2019 and 2021. Volkswagen Atlas: no year stands out.
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