There are 1 owner-reported lighting complaints for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlasin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
This is a safety issue where this can be dangerous for drivers like myself and their families life, and others life at risk. This reporting is to prevent and avert future accidents. Headlights brightness in 2019-2020 Atlas Se with Tec is very poor. Due to dull brightness (Low Beam) night driving is very exhaustive and need to very extreme alert state. This causes strain eyes and causes fatigue during long drive. Lights are so dull when an oncoming very old cars with halogens lights passes by, led lights in Atlas fades away from road. Usually leds lights are suppose to have more brightness and good lumen rating. When it is raining and after road is wet one cannot properly see lights on the road. One time narrowly escaped (thanks to extreme cautious) from hitting a pedestrian who was walking in a pitched dark road(right side) at night. Right side illumination was dim that is why couldn't see the person from a distance. In 2021 Atlas, VW made such a brightness improvements that it projects some glare for oncoming traffic. For reference youtube video link is attached. Video at 0:12 - 0:39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ-Ml5BRvgA To validate my finding I have attached two links from reputable source who inspected headlights: IIHS.ORG (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). In their findings 2019 Atlas Se with Tec has poor rating whereas 2021 Atlas Se with Tec has Medium rating. 1. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Volkswagen/atlas-4-door-suv/2019 2. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Volkswagen/atlas-4-door-suv/2021 Below I have attached few links from 2019-2020 Atlas competitors who were also analyzed by IIHS>ORG. They all received acceptable and good ratings: 1. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Hyundai/palisade-4-door-suv/2020 2. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Mazda/cx-9-4-door-suv/2019 3. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Toyota/highlander-4-door-suv/2019 4. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Honda/pilot-4-door-suv/2019
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026