Volkswagen Atlas Complaints

981 consumer complaints on file.

#11752976July 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving my 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, the infotainment system began malfunctioning. The audio stopped working intermittently, the touchscreen went black and displayed corrupted graphics, and the backup camera repeatedly cuts in and out or fails to display anything. Pressing the backup camera button can cause the infotainment system to shut down completely. I attempted to reset the system through a soft reset by pressing the power/volume button for 20+ seconds and when that didn't work I did a hard reset by disconnecting the battery for 15- 20 mins, but the issue persists. Because the camera is unreliable or unavailable when reversing or for my blind spots, I believe this creates a safety hazard by reducing rear visibility and increasing the risk of a backing collision and side collisions
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752529July 23, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752448July 23, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
I own a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas with approximately 61,000 miles. After a software update prompted by the vehicle, saying it will be done in 3 parts.the infotainment screen began malfunctioning the following day. Initially, the screen would repeatedly go black, restart, work for a short period of time, and then go black again. This issue continued for almost three weeks. The screen is now completely black and no longer turns on. I contacted a Volkswagen dealership about the issue and was informed that I would be charged approximately $220 for diagnostic work before determining the cause of the problem.i haven't brought it in yet as I'm waiting to be paid as I'm sure they would need payment The problem began shortly after the vehicle's software update, and I am concerned that the update may have caused or contributed to the infotainment system failure. I am reporting this issue because I believe other 2021 Volkswagen Atlas owners may be experiencing similar infotainment system failures. I would like NHTSA to investigate whether this is a widespread defect and whether a safety-related recall or other corrective action is necessary. As it's safely concern I cannot see back up camera or any safety features.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752042July 22, 2026
ENGINE
The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas suddenly lost all power and acceleration while driving at approximately 45 mph with a child passenger. There were no warning lights, messages, or abnormal symptoms prior to the failure. Pressing the accelerator pedal, including flooring it, produced no response, and the vehicle continued to decelerate. I was able to coast into a nearby neighborhood and pull off the road safely. Had this occurred on a highway, it could have resulted in a serious accident. After stopping, the engine would not restart and only made a clicking sound. The check engine light illuminated at that point. The vehicle has been undrivable since. The dealership initially attributed the issue to the tires. After further diagnosis, they determined a complete engine replacement is required. The vehicle is still under warranty with roughly 44,000 miles. The engine component is at the dealership and available for inspection. The problem has been confirmed by the authorized dealership. Volkswagen corporate and the dealership have been difficult to deal with regarding this warranty claim. No prior warnings or symptoms were present before the sudden failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752001July 22, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield cracked a singular crack from the top to the bottom of windshield after lifting car with spare tire jack.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751984July 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Our 2025 VW Altas had several engine lights come on at the same time after parking and would not shift out of neutral. Towed to the nearest VW for service and they stated it needed a transmission replacement. This vehicle had less than 16k miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751841July 21, 2026
ENGINE
This car has increasingly started stalling out as I come to a stop in traffic at lower speeds. There is no consistent pattern behind when it will occur. At times, I feel my car's engine start to shudder like it's going to stall, but it is not immediately followed by stalling. I have taken it to a dealer last month because it stalled at least three times in a month. They replaced the battery because they couldn't find cause, and this past Sunday, the car stalled as I pulled into a parking spot and shut off. Each time, I have my auto engine off disengaged. It is NOT the engine turning off at a red light and re-engaging when I take my foot off the brake. The car will turn off and not throw any error codes, making it impossible for techs to determine the problem. The dash will tell me to "Please start engine manually" and it has started up each time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751739July 21, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle suddenly shut off and was restarted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on three occasions while reversing and while the weather was extremely hot. The vehicle was taken to the local O'Reilly Auto Parts Store who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751507July 20, 2026
ENGINE
4 times now when the vehicle, 2 times while the vehicle is moving forward and 2 times while the vehicle was moving in reverse the engine has completely shut off and the car stopped moving. The dash said the engine was off and the vehicle needed to be shifted to park and the engine turned back on. During this time the vehicle also lost power steering and brakes. I’ve taken it to the dealership multiple times and they could not diagnose the issue or duplicate it and tell me I need to pick the vehicle up and to just bring it back again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751400July 19, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hood release cable broken. Cannot open hood
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751327July 18, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2021 Volkswagen Atlas, VIN [XXX], approximately 116,000 miles. Vehicle developed a cylinder failure requiring full cylinder replacement. Following replacement, compression remains abnormally low, specifically on cylinders #4 and #6 (approximately 90 PSI). Mechanic diagnosed significant carbon buildup on the piston rings as the cause of the persistent low compression, and confirmed this diagnosis via a wet compression test, in which compression increased when oil was introduced directly into the affected cylinders — indicating worn/compromised piston ring sealing rather than a valve or head gasket issue. Check engine light continues to trigger intermittently. This appears consistent with a known EA888 2.0T piston ring/carbon buildup defect currently the subject of active class action litigation (XXX) against Volkswagen Group of America. Vehicle has also experienced a separate prior failure of the high- and low-pressure fuel pumps and control module (repaired XXX at 77,921 miles, Volkswagen of North Nashville). Concerned about ongoing engine performance and reliability, and potential for further damage if underlying cause is not fully resolved. 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
#11750992July 17, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRLs went out after the vehicle being on lly a few years old.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750265July 14, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The front right Daytime running light went out at 82K miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749850July 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The hood latch just randomly disconnected and all over forms and post and videos on YouTube. It sounds like it’s a very common issue with the Atlas.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749727July 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
When it is hot out and car is idiling car cuts off. When reverse car stalls. Auto stop/start is off and car request to be restarted manually.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749424July 9, 2026
SEATS
As I was stopping at a stop light the back, passenger seat lock came unlocked causing my son to fall forward into the passenger seat back and be stuck until unlocking and returning the seat to the upright position
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749401July 9, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749239July 9, 2026
ENGINE
driving on highway XXX -vehicle check engine light came on and started flashing, car started to shake. pulled off at closest rest area, shut it off and and called roadside assistance as i did not feel safe driving it. towed to dealership/[XXX]. awaiting inspection by dealer. 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
#11749159July 8, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The Daylight Driving Lights have failed 2X. Very expensive fix. Seems to be a common problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748954July 8, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Bought it with 39k miles on it. A year old. within thirty hours I was trying to return from a trip and when I turned the key the car powered on but the engine didn’t turn over and several error messages popped up including a transmission error. The car would not start. I had it towed to the dealer and they said it was a software issue. Within 24 hours of having it back I when to drive it and a check engine light was on again. Dealer is saying it’s a piece of the transmission that needs replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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