Volkswagen Atlas Complaints

981 consumer complaints on file.

#11663070May 27, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving down the highway and heard what sounded like a gunshot. I looked up and my entire sunroof was shattered. There was no impact and nothing fell on my roof. The glass soon fell mostly down all over my husband and myself.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662972May 24, 2025
POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
My gears shift randomly while driving and every time I do a U turn. My air conditioning goes out for an hour randomly then comes back on Side mirror signals do not tell you when a car is next to you or passing you as they should
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661412May 16, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
Fuel sending unit not reading properly. Cannot tell when I need to refuel.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661049May 14, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is something wrong with the infotainment system in my car. It doesn't matter if my phone is hardwired via a USB-C cable or connected wirelessly via CarPlay. It happens even when my wife is using her phone too. My infotainment system keeps disconnecting. We are both owners of iPhones she has an iPhone 16 pro max and I have an iPhone 15 Pro max
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660819May 14, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Loud metallic grinding sound when braking is present all the time. The dealer indicated that this is normal for the VW Atlas. However, the issue is that the driver will never know when the brake is functioning properly compared to the sound that often indicates worn-out brake pads (where the metal backing plate is scraping against the rotor). This could cause a collision if not properly fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660706May 13, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Front brakes squeal when the ceramic brake pads are engaged against the rotors. Gurgling and grinding noises behind the steering wheel and behind the brake pedal indicative of brake line issues. Brake lines not bled correctly, air in brake lines, or issues with the brake booster or pressure switch systems. Front brake issues occur the most in reverse during initial startup, when driving at a low speed, and during rainy or damp weather. Rear brakes give a loud squeal in reverse during initial startup.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660513May 12, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On my 2023 Atlas SE the LED running light on both sides have stopped working over the last 2 and a half years. The replacement cost for these running lights-including installation is $1500-1800 per light. It has been well noted on the internet sites that thousand of Volkswagen owners over the last 5 years or so have had to replace the same "running lights" ,at a very steep price. Because of soft-ware programming involved in replacing these lights, Volkswagen is the only source for their repair. The part number is 3CN941035E for the drivers side and 3CN9410036E for the passenger side. These parts need to be revised as defective and a recall or continued replacement plan initiated. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660032May 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
While on road, waiting to turn left across oncoming traffic, numerous dashboard lights went off, warning messages for TCM and ESC systems and car would not move forward with pressing on accelerator. As if the car was in neutral.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658335May 1, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Was operating vehicle when all of a sudden it stop in the middle of the highway. Engine turned iff. Was able to crank back up but vehicle would not shift into drive, reverse or any motion gear. Vehicle stopped in the morgue of an active roadway which created an absolute critical safety issue due to oncoming traffic. Was able to push vehicle from the roadway in neutral but transmission will not otherwise engage. Very high probability that this issue could have resulted in serious car accident if vehicle had became disabled at a high speed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658200May 1, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
We were pulled over yesterday for having a headlight out, but it ended up not being a headlight, it was the LED runner light on the passenger-side headlight assembly. Our vehicle is only at 68,214 miles. The Volkswagen dealership quoted me about $1,800.00 to have it replaced, which I thought was exorbitant. In doing research on this issue, most 2021 Atlas have the identical issue, the LED runner lights going out at the 50k - 70k mile mark. Currently it is impossible to even find stock of new headlight assemblies because of the number of vehicles that have had this issue. This should be a recall due to a defective headlight assembly, not a cost to the consumer. I've driven several vehicles past the 200k mile mark and I have never had to have a headlight assembly replaced, and especially not after only 68k miles. It would be unusual to have to replace a headlight at that many miles, let alone an LED strip, which should essentially last the life of the vehicle. There is a group considering bringing a class-action lawsuit against VW for the faulty electrical systems in the 2021 Atlas, so I hope this gets addressed quickly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658025April 30, 2025
ENGINE
Engine completely stalls while driving, I have to put it in park and restart it. It has happened 5 times in the last 2 months. All at low speeds. Milage 58,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657976April 30, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Front assist constantly goes off, parking sensors faulty, damaged by general driving. Lane departure warning light
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657781April 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
our anti-theft alert kept being triiggered. doors on vehicle would not lock. normally while driving vehicle at around 10 mph the doors of the vehicle would automatically lock but now they will not lock. i tried to manually lock by pushing the lock button but no luck. Driving down the highway at the posted speed limit of 75 mph you could open the driver door ,front passenger door and both backseat doors. I took it to the VW dealership and the Asst service manager said it was a software issue and corrected it. Vehicle worked for about 6 weeks then we got the anti-theft alert and doors would not lock and going down the highway you could open. took back to VW dealership and they said it was a front door latch ,part number 5K1-837-015-J, was failing internally and was replaced and erased the faults. at the first incident vehicle had just over 52K miles and the repair it had 59245 miles. my biggest complaint it would allow you to open the vehicle while driving and if in a wreck all doors could potentially come open on impact
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656729April 25, 2025
ENGINE
When the vehicle is at a stop or slowing maybe to park the engine shuts down. I get a start/stop error and it indicates I must restart the car manually. I then have to put the car in park and restart the vehicle. This has happened while the vehicle was in motion and in major city traffic. The vehicle displays a check engine light now. It is currently at the dealership being serviced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656649April 24, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
My brakes have been grinding and squeaking for months. I bought my car new in Feb 2024. Dealship has stated it’s “normal”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656334April 23, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SOS emergency call button doesn't work. Even though button is show green and technical people at dealership said there are no problems. I actually pressed the button and it said the call can't be made.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656314April 23, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that upon his wife coming to a complete stop, the automatic start-stop system activated but failed to restart the vehicle as the driver attempted to accelerate. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The automatic start-stop system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who observed a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who then diagnosed a failure with the starter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 33,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655787April 21, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I continue to receive an error message to " check rear tail light " ... I have had the actual light and wiring assembly replaced. The error message continues. I have taken it to two VW dealerships - neither of which know how to fix the problem, and can only suggest days of a wild goose chase to find the problem. One dealership opined that the wiring was coroded, which was causing the error message. This raises other safety concerns of fire, etc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655127April 16, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Vehicle was stopped at a traffic light and running. Once the light turned, the vehicle shut off immediately after the accelerator pedal was depressed. Transmission had to be shifted to park to restart the engine. This happened three (3) times at the same light. This is the fourth incident in the last six (6) months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654892April 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a volkswagen atlas in 2021. Within the first year of owning the vehicle the air conditioning system had a malfunction where it would blow hot on the passenger side and remain cold on the driver side. I took it in to the dealership for service and was told the passenger side blower motor was damaged and paid $400 to have that replaced. The next summer approximately one year later the issues reappeared. I took it in for service and was told by the service writer that after a year my warranty on parts and labor has expired. So upon diagnosing the vehicle was told that the ac compressor has went out and it will be $1800. Bases on Reddit and other forums it’s tons of people having this same issue with the intermittent ac every summer. Something is wrong with these vehicles most specifically the vw atlas. Vw need to issue a recall on this issue and have it rectified as this is a costly fix that alot of owners are enduring and these are brand new vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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