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2024 Volkswagen Atlas Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Jul 27, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 162 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 27, 2026

My vehicle is experiencing error code C123B01 were water is getting into front emblem due to a malfunctioning seal stated in there Tech bulletin 94-23-01TT which requires changing the emblem and reprogramming it. I had shut down my Day time running lights and parking lights which is a safety hazard. My Drive easy warranty is denying to fix it saying it is is on us. My vehicle was parked in my driveway and we had a lot of rain. When I got into my car the warning light was on for my DRL and parking lights. Volkswagen dealer ship pulled the exact bulletin to diagnose this issue and documented on my repair order. The dealer ship also knowledged to me on the phone they can see my emblem wasn't damaged from the outside. My parking light and running lights will not work on my passenger side due to the emblem seal failure which is a safety concern for me and my children.

NHTSA ID
11753008
Incident
Jul 9, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 27, 2026

The light strip / brake light on the tailgate has water inside and stopped working. Error message "please check right tail light."

NHTSA ID
11752999
Incident
Jul 13, 2026
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 5, 2026

Since purchasing my vehicle, the collision sensor lights on my Atlas go off quite often even if there aren’t vehicles near or by my blindspot while driving.

NHTSA ID
11748342
Incident
Jul 1, 2026
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Mar 3, 2026

The rear light bar/tail light assembly fills with water and causing turn signals and light bar to intermittently not work. This occurred the first time that the vehicle was left out in the rain at approximately 65k. It is always parked covered and I do not drive in the rain. Many other Atlas have this issue much sooner if they are left in the inclement weather.

NHTSA ID
11721813
Incident
Jan 15, 2026
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 16, 2025

My 2024 Volkswagen Atlas SE began collecting visible moisture inside the rear tail light assembly less than 18 months after purchase. Over time, this led to intermittent lighting failure, sometimes the lights function, sometimes they don’t. This is a safety concern, especially at night or in poor weather. After researching the issue, I found that this is a widely reported problem among VW Atlas owners and has even been referenced in VW’s own Technical Service Bulletin 94-22-01, which is published in the NHTSA database. The bulletin calls this “normal condensation,” but this is beyond that there is visible water pooling and electrical malfunction and I know of others who report the same thing. VW is down playing this to avoid the recall. Despite being under extended warranty, this is not covered because VW considers it cosmetic unless there’s proven seal failure. The vehicle is available for inspection and has been evaluated by a certified VW service center. Volkswagen needs to address this as a design or sealing defect, especially when it affects vehicle safety systems like brake and signal lights.

NHTSA ID
11693790
Incident
Oct 8, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 19, 2025

2024 Atlas SEL model does not have illuminated controls on the information system below the display. while trying to adjust settings at night it is possible to hit other vehicle functions and potentially get unwanted results that could result in destractions and unsafe driving such as accidentally deactivating the drive assist and driving mode buttons below. VW fixed the issue in 2025 but should issue a consumer convenience recall to fix this issue.

NHTSA ID
11649206
Incident
Mar 15, 2025
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Nov 26, 2024

Infotainment display graphics issue; most controls (including disabling seat heaters) are through this screen and camera is displayed on it. Unable to see display clearly and therefore interact with controls or view backup camera to look for obstacles. Search online for "2024 atlas screen glitch" and you'll see quite a few pictures that are similar.

NHTSA ID
11627430
Incident
Nov 25, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 21, 2024

The rear brake lights allow moisture inside the brake lenses.

NHTSA ID
11615760
Incident
Sep 21, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 2, 2024

Multiple times the interior lights will not turn on or the turn on by themselves and flash even after turning the car off and on again. Brought it to the dealership with the complaint a few times, and dealer told me nothing they could do even with the video of it happening. When this is not working, the emergency call and other features do not work either.

NHTSA ID
11598413
Incident
Sep 29, 2023

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .