Last updated: 2026-03-04
Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas: Reliability Compared
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen Atlas
Choosing between the Toyota Highlander and the Volkswagen Atlas? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Highlander currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 53/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Toyota Highlander and Volkswagen Atlas Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Highlander is more reliable than the Volkswagen Atlas, scoring 72/100 vs 53/100.
The Toyota Highlander demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 84/100, significantly outpacing the Volkswagen Atlas's 24/100. Despite having more recalls over a longer period, the Highlander maintains a lower owner complaint rate of 5.8 per 10,000 sold compared to the Atlas's 7.8. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates for the Highlander are modest at $489 annually, underscoring its cost-effectiveness in the midsize SUV segment. The Highlander’s fewer issues with critical systems like the power train and airbags further distinguish its reliability credentials over the Atlas.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Highlander has 53 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota Highlander has 31.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Toyota Highlander scores 19 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Toyota Highlander | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 72/100 | 53/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 66 | 119 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.8 | 36.8 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 8 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Toyota Highlander and Volkswagen Atlas?
The Toyota Highlander has a higher total number of complaints compared to the Volkswagen Atlas, with significant issues in the power train and air bags, the latter having 41 crash-linked complaints indicating a potential safety concern. In contrast, the Volkswagen Atlas, while having fewer overall complaints, shows a notable number of issues with the electrical system and air bags, although with fewer crash-linked incidents. Both models have complaints about service brakes, but the Highlander records more crash-related incidents in this category. The Highlander's problem profile suggests a broader range of issues, particularly in safety-critical systems, whereas the Atlas shows a concentration in fewer categories, primarily electrical and air bags.
| Component | Toyota Highlander | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 8.9Above Avg |
| AIR BAGS | 0.5Very Low | 6.4Average |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.6Very Low | 3.8Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.7Very Low | 2.8Low |
| ENGINE | 0.2Very Low | 3.1Average |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.5Low | 1.6Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 1.6Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 1.6Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| SEATS | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Toyota Highlander or Volkswagen Atlas?
How Does Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Toyota Highlander | Volkswagen Atlas | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 76/1008R / 40C | 65/1008R / 30C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2024 | 67/10016R / 198C | 54/10014R / 209C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2023 | 73/10013R / 140C | 58/10011R / 114C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2022 | 74/1007R / 186C | 50/10014R / 217C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2021 | 70/1006R / 403C | 44/10030R / 540C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2020 | 71/1008R / 269C | 57/10015R / 116C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2019 | 70/1003R / 414C | 48/10011R / 437C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2018 | 72/1005R / 242C | 44/10016R / 444C | Toyota Highlander |
| 2026(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | 59/100(predicted) | Toyota Highlander |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Toyota Highlander scored 76/100 and the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas scored 65/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Toyota Highlander vs the Volkswagen Atlas?
Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas: Common Questions
- Is the Toyota Highlander more reliable than the Volkswagen Atlas?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 53/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
- Which has more recalls, the Toyota Highlander or the Volkswagen Atlas?
- The Volkswagen Atlas has more recalls (119) compared to the Toyota Highlander (66). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Toyota Highlander or the Volkswagen Atlas?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 5.8 per 10,000 sold versus 36.8 for the Volkswagen Atlas. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Toyota Highlander or Volkswagen Atlas safer?
- Both the Toyota Highlander and Volkswagen Atlas received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Toyota Highlander comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue