Volkswagen Atlas Complaints

981 consumer complaints on file.

#11678337August 4, 2025
POWER TRAIN
At about 8,200 miles I got the low oil warning light. I had to add a quart of oil and get it to the dealership. The dealership confirmed there was an issue with 6 cam bridge bolts and clean the engine of all the leaked oil.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677298July 30, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start due to battery failure. The contact attempted to open the hood of the vehicle to charge the battery; however, the hood failed to unlock. The contact stated that an unknown dealer had previously replaced the hood release due to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who completed the first repair. The dealer determined that the hood release needed to be replaced with a stronger part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer documented the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a vehicle safety complaint. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677185July 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I was driving about 50-55 miles per hours. I had been driving for about 45 minutes when I heard a loud pop in the rear portion of the vehicle. Warning lights came on the dash at this time. The message said to "apply the park brake because of roll potential" and some other messages that I cannot remember. The vehicle stopped moving/pulling (the engine was still running) and the vehicle put itself in Neutral. The wheels locked up. A bystander tried to push it out of the lane of traffic, but it would not move, and the tow truck had to drag it on the flat bed. The dealership (Checkered Flag Volkswagen - Virginia Beach, Virginia) said there was a fault for the shifter mechanism. They replaced it. Safety - I was instantly stuck in the middle of traffic and could not even coast off to the shoulder to get out of the lane of traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676917July 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I believe the charcoal cannister failed in my situation. I was driving my car on the highway in stop and go rush hour traffic and my car stalled out. I had to put it in park, press the break and the start button to get it going again. I was very close to getting rear ended. No warnings came on and no codes are up for the dealership to fix. I went to the dealership and they stated they couldn't recreate the problem and don't see a code, so therefore cannot fix anything. This same issue is noted in many instances online and in forums and chats about the 2023 atlas.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676708July 28, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle randomly stalls trying to leave from red lights or parking. Engine stumbles and vehicle dies causing many near accidents as you must put vehicle in park and restart.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676446July 27, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I am reporting a recurring coolant system issue that raises safety concerns. My 2022 VW Atlas has triggered the coolant warning light several times since new. A dealership eventually replaced the head gasket under warranty, yet the warning returned again months later. At the most recent service visit, a pressure test showed no leak, and I was told the problem was likely "air bubbles" — the same explanation I received before the head gasket was replaced. VW has issued TSB 19-22-01, advising dealers to blame repeated warnings on trapped air and to avoid replacing parts unless a leak is confirmed. This contradicts VW’s own official dashboard warning guidance, which instructs drivers to “Stop! Engine coolant level too low, engine coolant temperature too high, or engine coolant system malfunction” and “Do not drive.” This creates a conflict: VW tells customers a coolant warning is urgent and dangerous, while internally telling dealers to do nothing unless symptoms worsen. Meanwhile, owners are left driving vehicles that could overheat, stall, or fail without proper diagnosis. I request NHTSA investigate whether this approach allows VW to underreport or delay addressing a possible defect. I am concerned about the safety and reliability of this vehicle and the potential for this issue to affect other Atlas owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675930July 24, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES
Due to a faulty door wiring harness (a VW recall) the car has multiple electrical issues. The car shuts itself down, loss of blinkers, speedometer, brake lights, parking brake engagement and ALL electrical functions, every alarm goes off in the car, windows roll up and down, doors will lock and unlock while driving. Which is terrifying/life threatening while driving 65 MPH on a highway with kids. We have this on video. Most recently, it shut down and would not start again. The dealership has now attempted to fix this problem 5 times and cannot get the alarm lights to turn off so now the car is not even drivable. We have tried to work with VW for a buyback twice and started this process (16 months into owning the car) when the car was under full warranty. They continued to deem the car safe and fixed and the same issues would sporadically happen. After these two cases for VW to buyback the car and them rejecting it, we are now out of warranty and they will not work with us. We bought the car brand new.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675853July 24, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My atlas forward collision system malfunctioned causing the automatic emergency braking to turn on when there was no one and nothing in front of me. I was then rear ended. Which ultimately totaled my vehicle. My car said airbag error as well. I called Volkswagen Perrysburg Ohio, to report the incident, was sent to the managers voicemail 7/16/2025. The manager never called me back.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675490July 22, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
The breaks make a screeching sound and you can feel in the pedal the car wobbling/slipping. I took to be repaired under warranty and they said there's nothing wrong. Break pads and breaks are in good health accord them. They have no explaination for the sound.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675407July 22, 2025
ENGINE
When driving, the vehicle will lose all acceleration and come to a stop. If you try to move the vehicle it will stall out. There are no warning signs or faults. However, if you let the vehicle sit for a few hours, it will run again as normal. This happened to us twice while on a road tirp. Once on the trip to the destination and the other to the trip home. VW Road side assistance was a joke, and did not help get us off of the highway as we were stuck with my [XXX], [XXX], [XXX], and wife. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675240July 22, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Battery died, needed to jump battery. Hood latch cable snapped when pulling hood lever.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674884July 20, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The engine shut-off while still driving between 10-15 mph when entering a gas station and turning uphill. Cannot say for certain, but the vehicle behaved similar to when the "start-stop" engine system activates. Electrical seemingly remained on, could not accelerate, and the dashboard requested something along the lines of needing to "restart." Similar scenario occurred the day prior but this time we were completely stopped. Came to a stop, attempted to accelerate, and the dashboard was referencing the same warning as above. This could clearly cause a major accident especially when it occurs while still moving at a respectable speed. VW offers a switch to turn off this system, but the system does not keep the setting once the vehicle is turned off. It automatically activates upon ignition. Ironically, the failure of unwanted & over-complicated engineering cannot be permanently switched off by the vehicle remembering the last setting unless you wish to spend $100 from a third-party. Hopefully my wife remembers to press the magic button every time she turns on the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674362July 17, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I own a 2023 VW Atlas purchased new from a Volkswagen dealership. In October 2024, while the vehicle was under warranty, I reported engine hesitation, rough idle, and near-stalling. I showed the service advisor a video I recorded of the issue happening in real time. Despite this, the dealership refused to investigate further because no check engine light or fault codes were present. I was sent home without diagnosis or documentation. Months later, the issue worsened and was diagnosed as a failed fuel injector — now quoted at nearly $3,000 to repair, plus a $175 diagnostic fee. VW refuses to cover the cost or provide goodwill assistance, stating that the dealership couldn’t replicate the issue and therefore couldn’t act. I was also denied the ability to speak with a service manager when the failure occurred. This injector issue clearly began during the warranty period and was dismissed without proper investigation. The behavior compromised the vehicle’s driveability and posed a potential safety risk to me and my children. There needs to be accountability when clear evidence is provided and dealerships refuse to act until the problem escalates past warranty coverage. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate fuel injector failures in the 2023 VW Atlas and the pattern of warranty denial tied to lack of fault codes, despite clear performance issues and owner-supplied evidence.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674217July 17, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Day Time Running Lights Burn out too quickly. They are LED lights and should last longer than 50,000 miles of the cars life span. Volkswagen does not see it covered under their extended warranty either. It is a costly repair and should be further investigated as Volkswagen has not fixed the issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673279July 14, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger side daytime running light LED strip out at 50k miles. LEDs have long life span and should not go out so soon. Concerned there is electrical issue as the vehicle has had multiple recalls including sensors and other electrical components.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672562July 10, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I have had this vehicle 6 months and am already replacing the windshield a second time. This time something very small hit windshield but first time it happened overnight and nothing had hit it - it was just a thin crack that grew and grew. First windshield break was in February 2025 and the second July 2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672437July 10, 2025
SEAT BELTS
Seatbelt buckle unbuckles randomly while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672414July 10, 2025
ENGINE
coolant leaks and potential engine overheating. replaced water pump 6 months ago and have to replace again
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672094July 8, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, POWER TRAIN
While going through an automated car wash, I experienced a critical malfunction at the end of the belt. When it came time to shift my vehicle from Neutral into Drive, the car would not respond. Every time I attempted to shift into Drive, the emergency brake would automatically engage, preventing the vehicle from moving forward. As a result, I was stuck at the end of the car wash belt. The car behind me, unable to stop due to the forward momentum of the belt, was pushed into my vehicle. Their vehicle sustained damage from hitting my trailer hitch, although my car did not appear to be physically damaged. This incident created a clear safety hazard, not only putting me at risk but also directly causing a rear-end collision. I believe the failure was related to either the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system or the shifting mechanism. However, I am not a mechanic, and this is my best assessment. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This malfunction created an immediate safety risk by leaving my car immobilized in a narrow, automated space, with another vehicle in motion behind me. The inability to shift into Drive and the automatic engagement of the emergency brake contributed to the collision. The issue has not yet been reproduced or confirmed, but the Volkswagen dealership has been contacted and is scheduled to perform diagnostics next week. The other vehicle involved in the collision was inspected by Longmont Auto Body & Glass, who provided a repair estimate of $1,495.39. My own vehicle has not yet been physically inspected by the manufacturer. Warning Signs or Symptoms Prior to Failure: During the car wash, proximity alarms were sounding, indicating that I was close to or might hit an object (likely the wash brushes), but I received no specific dashboard warning messages related to the shifting or emergency brake system before the failure occurred.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671471July 6, 2025
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES
Error: Airbag and the passenger airbag isn’t working. There is a recall for the atlas but my vin isn’t in there. No recall for the brakes but they are in a class action lawsuit and they are squeeling, vibrate and feel like they won’t stop. Dealership claims nothing wrong. But my car I traded in didn’t feel like this. Vw need to take action before accidents happen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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