Exterior Lighting Problems of Volkswagen Atlas - part 1

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.

See all problems of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

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

I noticed today that my daytime running light strip is out on my driver side headlight I notice it’s a common issue on this year model Atlas. I know the daytime running lot helps people see you when your going down the road.

See all problems of the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

Passenger side led daytime running light in the headlight assembly failed. Warning light illuminated with message “please check right daytime running light/parking light. ” the failure was confirmed upon visual inspection. The headlight assembly is a critical safety component that illuminates the road ahead and makes your vehicle visible to others. On the Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas cross sport, it's a complex unit that houses the low beams, high beams, turn signals, and daytime running lights (drls). The led daytime running lights (drl) on 2021-2023 Atlas models are known to fail prematurely, requiring a very expensive replacement of the entire headlight assembly.

See all problems of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

Daytime running lamps inoperable.

Passenger side drl has failed - requires replacement of entire headlamp assembly.

The drl light are go out prematurely.

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).

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.

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.

Led drl headlight stopped working on the passenger side at 90k miles.

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.

The front right daytime running light went out at 82k miles.

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

See all problems of the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

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.

The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly. When parked or reversing. Requires the car to be put in park and then restarted.

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.

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

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.

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.

Hello, I have a 2022 vw Atlas with 54,250 miles. I noticed today when I started up by car that the drl (daytime running lights) was dimmed to the point where I didn't even notice it on. This seems to be an issue with Volkswagen Atlas's years 2021-2023. It is currently out and anyone can come look at it at anytime. This seems to be a larger issue, many people complaining about this online and the cost to replace / fix the issue is over $1500 with parts and labor. The design makes it so the entire headlight needs to be replaced. Without daytime running lights, I feel like I am not seen as easily so I could be in an accident much easier. I brought the issue to the dealer and they said they see a lot of these failing between 40k - 60k miles. No warning, one day it was working the next it wasn't.

Component/system failed: the driver-side daytime running light (drl) failed unexpectedly. The failed led lighting component is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: this failure created a significant safety concern because daytime running lights are designed to improve vehicle visibility to other drivers during daylight and low-visibility conditions. Drls are an important safety feature intended to reduce the risk of collisions by making vehicles more noticeable on the road. The fact that one side of the front lighting system was not functioning reduced the visibility and recognition of my vehicle to other motorists. Additionally, no dashboard warning light, alert, or notification appeared to inform me that the daytime running light had failed. Without any warning system, drivers may unknowingly operate the vehicle with a non-functioning safety component for an extended period of time. Dealer/service confirmation: I was informed by Volkswagen service that the led daytime running light assembly requires a full headlight assembly replacement. Inspections: at this time, the vehicle/component has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. The component is available for manufacturer or agency inspection upon request. Warning lamps or symptoms prior to failure: there were no warning lamps, dashboard messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure. The vehicle provided no indication whatsoever that the daytime running light was no longer functioning. The issue was only discovered visually by another person outside the vehicle. Additional concerns: I am also concerned about the cost and longevity of this component. The replacement part alone reportedly costs over $1,000, not including labor costs. This appears excessive for a vehicle that is only approximately three years old. Led lighting system.

Infotainment system has been rebooting and disabling the cars adas momentarily. Most recently, this resulted in the car turning itself off while making a turn. Happened a second time while pulling into the dealership on the same day.

The daylight driving lights have failed 2x. Very expensive fix. Seems to be a common problem.

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.

Daytime running light (drl) failure on the passenger side. First noticed light does not work on 6/3/2026. An estimate for an independent repair garage is ±$2300.

Daytime running light went out and needs the whole assembly to be replaced which is $1400+ from the dealership. Vehicle is barley 4 years old.

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

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".

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.

The daytime running lights are not working. It is a safety concern by not being seen easily by oncoming drivers. No warnings were given prior to going out. This seems to be a common problem among same vehicle make and model according to forums on the internet. The only way to be repaired is to replace the entire headlamp assembly at a cost of $1500-$2000 which is not feasible.

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

Both led headlight running day lights went out together.

This vehicle is equipped with led daytime running lights. These are designed to be long-life, however, as has been noted multiple times in this forum, half of the passenger-side drl on my vehicle has stopped functioning. The repair cost for this item is in excess of $2,000 as the front bumper needs to be removed and the entire headlight assembly replaced. Most drivers will choose to defer replacement, thereby negating the safety value that the drls are intended to provide.

One of the headlights failed at 80,000 miles (the other headlight was replaced due to car accident years ago). Volkswagen Atlas models are consistently experiencing a failure of led headlights prematurely when they should last 10-15 years. There is a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen to force them to recall and correct the issue as they have known and failed to correct this critical safety issue. It is unsafe to have these vehicles on the road with faulty headlights, for both the drivers and occupants as well as the other vehicles on the road with them. This particular vehicle has been inspected by a certified mechanic. The dealership would not return my calls in a timely manner and the vehicle needed to be inspected and fixed as quickly as possible as this is a safety issue. There have been no warning lights or messages from the vehicle or my vw app to notify me of this issue prior to failure or after.