2021 Volkswagen Atlas Exterior lighting Problems

Day time running light has failed on the driver’s side. $1000 plus for the parts and labor. Reduces visibility and presents a hazard to other motorists

NHTSA ID

11773401

Incident

Oct 24, 2026

HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY. ÐRL LIGHT BURNT OUT RISKING MY SAFETY DAYTIME DRIVING

NHTSA ID

11773231

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

About a week ago I noticed that my 2021 Volkswagen atlas 2021 signature LED strip that functions as the Daytime Running Light (DRL) not working. I search online and there’s a lot of complaints about the same problem with this car It says it’s a very common and expensive problem

NHTSA ID

11770338

Incident

Oct 1, 2026

Right headlight assembly must be replaced because daytime running light failed and cannot be repaired separately.

NHTSA ID

11768667

Incident

Sep 25, 2026

Daytime Running Lamps inoperable

NHTSA ID

11764148

Incident

Sep 14, 2026

My 2021 Volkswagen Atlas at 58,000 miles the passenger side daytime running light stopped working. This is a replacement that can only be completed with an entire headlight assembly replaced the cost of a headlight assembly is between $1800- $2500 which is an astronomical amount to replace just the LED daytime running light.

NHTSA ID

11762375

Incident

Aug 11, 2026

Passenger side DRL has failed - requires replacement of entire headlamp assembly

NHTSA ID

11762010

Incident

Sep 3, 2026

LED DRL headlight on the passenger side failed at 35k miles. That little, single LED light cannot be replaced without replacing the entire headlight system, which costs almost $2k and requires removing the bumper! Negligent design that conveniently happens once the warranty expired, and despite the low miles of my vehicle. (these are supposed to last to 50k-70k)

NHTSA ID

11760104

Incident

Aug 25, 2026

Headlight LED DRLs went out on passenger side at only 60k miles. To fix, the whole headlight would need to be replaced which is >$1k. LED bulbs should last much longer and there are many other instances of the same problem from other owners across various forums. Seems like this is a VW issue and should warrant a recall.

NHTSA ID

11758990

Incident

Aug 23, 2026

LED DRL headlight stopped working on the passenger side at 90k miles

NHTSA ID

11756819

Incident

Jul 31, 2026

Passenger side headlight failed prematurely resulting in only one of the headlights functioning

NHTSA ID

11755380

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

Upon visual inspection of the car. Noticed driver’s side headlight outter light not working with no warning indicator. Have been pulled over since issue was first discovered by police. I believe it’s called daytime driving light part of the headlight.

NHTSA ID

11753203

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

Passenger side Daytime Running Light went out. The vehicle had under 60k miles. Seems like a common problem. For now will not replace because of high price tag and not necessary for safety inspection. The problem is that negates the safety feature on the car.

NHTSA ID

11752529

Incident

Jul 23, 2026

DRLs went out after the vehicle being on lly a few years old.

NHTSA ID

11750992

Incident

Jul 21, 2024

Both set of running lights on my Atlas have burned out and were replaced since purchased of car in 2021 and again both left and right running lights are no longer working. The first time the car was under warranty. The cost to fix the LED running lights are 1500.00 + per light! This is clearly a defect on VW‘s design and should be fixed and fall under a recall.

NHTSA ID

11747355

Incident

Jun 25, 2026

passenger side day time running light went out right at 60,000. called dealer not covered under warranty on a 21 atlas even though i purchased a 4 year 80,000 mile warranty.. the extended warranty started the day i bought the car.

NHTSA ID

11746013

Incident

Jun 9, 2026

Daytime running lights have failed on both headlight assemblies. Both failed at just outside the warranty period. High and low beams work fine and the repair is $2000 for a headlight which is outrageous.

NHTSA ID

11745383

Incident

Feb 2, 2022

The right driver side daylight light is out, the SOS response system warning light is on, tire pressure loss detected light is but tires are fine and no loss in pressure, cruise control doesn’t always work and deactivates.

NHTSA ID

11740726

Incident

Mar 6, 2026

Front passenger-side daytime running light went out. Cannot be replaced individually. Must replace entire front lighting assembly at significant cost.

NHTSA ID

11740364

Incident

May 27, 2026

The DRLs went out at the same time. It's still not working so it's available for inspection. DRLs are obviously safety-relevant. No warning, no messages. Checking fault codes shows "module overheating".

NHTSA ID

11739993

Incident

May 22, 2026

Passenger side daytime running light has burned out. Driver side daytime running light is starting to burn out as well. Starting to read that this is a problem for this year make and model of vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11739873

Incident

Apr 2, 2026

Driver's side daytime running lights have gone out already after fairly low mileage. Have since discovered this is a very common issue for this model and requires entire headlight assembly replacement, which is over $1,000. This prohibitive cost lessens the likelihood of replacement for many drivers and since it is not legally required it negates the added safety value of these lights.

NHTSA ID

11739342

Incident

May 21, 2026

The daylight running lights failed at the same time. This a closed system so VW wants 1000 per headlight unit.

NHTSA ID

11738502

Incident

May 9, 2026

THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION FOR THIS ISSUE WHICH IS THE DRL'S/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FOR THE VW 2021 (2021-2023 ACTUALLY) GIVE OUT/FAIL, AND THEY CANNOT BE FIXED WITHOUT REPLACING THE $1200 ENTIRE HEADLIGHT PART. CRAZY FOR A LIGHT THAT NEW TO GIVE OUT FOR SO MANY. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THESE IT IS OBVIOUYSLY A DESIGN FLAW ON THEIR END. IN OUR CASE, BOTH DRL'S GAVE OUT. REGULAR NIGHT LIGHTS WORK BUT THOSE DO NOT WORK DAY OR NIGHT AS THEY SHOULD

NHTSA ID

11737256

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

Both LED headlight running day lights went out together.

NHTSA ID

11736671

Incident

May 3, 2026