NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OUR 2019 VW ATLAS SEL PREMIUM HAS ENGAGED THE BRAKES EVEN WHEN THERE ARE NO OBSTACLES TO AVOID CREATING A DANGEROUS, SCARY AND UNPREDICTABLE SENECIO FOR OUR FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS AROUND US. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATED BRAKING HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED BY SERVICE ADVISORS AS SOFTWARE ISSUES WITH 'FRONT ASSIST, MANEUVER BRAKING, AND/OR REMOTE START".
DRIVER EXPERIENCED TWO MALFUNCTIONS OF ADAS AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM DURING A SINGLE HIGHWAY TRIP. WITH NO CARS AHEAD, THE VEHICLE FLASHED THE BRAKING WARNING. A FEW MINUTES LATER IN THE TRIP, THE VEHICLE ENGAGED THE ADAS AUTOMATIC BRAKING, WITH NO VEHICLES AHEAD, AND INITIATED A HARD STOP WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND TEMPERATURES WERE ~50 .
CAR HAS STOPPED ABRUPTLY IN TRAFFIC ON TWO OCCASION IN WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INNOCUOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. FIRST WAS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A SLIGHT DECLINE AND NO HAZARDS, SLOW MOVING MODERATE TRAFFIC (ABOUT 25 - 30 MPH), WHERE THE CAR WAS COASTING (DRIVE NEITHER ACCELERATING OR BRAKING) IN PERFECT WEATHER. SECOND WAS MAKING A TURN AT A GREEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL, PROBABLY AT SPEED OF 15 MPH; AGAIN PERFECT WEATHER. DEALER RESPONSE WAS TO INDICATE THE SYSTEM WAS SENSITIVE AND OFFERED TO DEACTIVATE IT. SECOND RESPONSE WAS TO "RECALIBRATE" IT FOR $400. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 12,000 VERY LIGHT MILES ON IT.
I BOUGHT MY NEW VW ATLAS IN DECEMBER OF 2019. WHEN I BOUGHT IT, I NOTICED A RUBBING/SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL BUT WAS TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL FOR A NEW VEHICLES. SO, I LET IT GO, THEN CAME TO REALIZE IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND LOUDER OVER TIME. SO AT MY 10,000 MILE CHECK, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE STEERING RACK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ASAP BUT THAT IT WAS ON BACK ORDER AND COULD TAKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR THE PART TO COME IN. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A COMMON ISSUE. SO I WAITED 3-4 WEEKS, AND THE PART FINALLY CAME IN. IT WAS REPLACED AND I THOUGHT I WAS DONE WITH REPAIRS EARLY ON. THEN, A COUPLE OF DAYS PASS AND I FIND THAT THERE IS STILL SOMEWHAT OF A NOISE WHEN I TURN MY WHEEL AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M ON THE BACKROADS GOING OVER BUMPS. I TAKE IT BACK THE DEALERSHIP AND OF COURSE, THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. A COUPLE MORE WEEKS PASS, I'M STILL HEARING A CREAKY NOISE AND THEN ONE NIGHT ON MY WAY HOME, ALL OF THE SENSOR AND WARNING LIGHTS LIGHT UP IN MY DIGITAL COCKPIT. I HAVE IT TOWED, VW DETERMINES IT'S A TIRE SENSOR OF WHICH THEY REPAIR. THREE WEEKS LATER, HERE I AM AGAIN AND ALL OF MY TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS ARE ON AGAIN ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. I HAVE A NEW TIRE FROM WHERE I GOT A FLAT TWO WEEKS AGO, AND THAT TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT IS ALSO ON. SO, NOW NOT ONLY AM I HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY TIRES BUT THE FIRST STEERING WHEEL NOISE ISSUE STILL ISN'T REPAIRED ON AN ATLAS THAT I BOUGHT WITH 12 MILES ON IT IN DECEMBER OF 2019. VW CORPORATE HAS BEEN CALLED, THE DEALERS CORPORATE HAS BEEN CALLED AND STILL I HAVEN'T GOTTEN NOWHERE.
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WHERE THE FRONT SENSORS SLAM ON THE ATLAS' BRAKES FOR NON-EXISTENT HAZARDS. SEVERAL HAVE BEEN SIMPLY DRIVING OFF THE CURB ONTO THE ROAD AT LOAD SPEED AND APPARENTLY THE SENSORS THINK THE ATLAS IS DRIVING INTO SOMETHING. THE OTHER HAPPENED THIS WEEK WHEN DRIVING 45 MPH AND A SPRINKLER HEAD NEAR THE ROAD WAS BROKEN AND WATER WAS SHOOTING UP INTO THE AIR AND ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE SENSORS APPARENTLY MISTOOK THE WATER FOR AN OBJECT AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. LUCKILY I WAS NOT REAR-ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. MY WIFE HAD PREVIOUSLY ASKED THE DEALER IF THE FRONT SENSORS COULD BE ADJUSTED AND THEY SAID NO.
I have had the same issue with this car since I’ve bought it when. The issue is that often my dash beeps and says faulty break booster and then my breaks lock up and become spongy and the vehicle has issues breaking. Very scary and very dangerous. Then the “break” warning indicator light illuminates and the vehicle eventually resets itself and goes back to normal functioning. My vehicle has been at the dealer at least four times during the warranty period for this exact same problem. It has also been there for a recall for rattling noises, air hissing out of gas tank when gas cap is unscrewed, and air conditioner going out. My car is currently in shop again for FAULTY BREAK BOOSTER. Others are having this same problem all over the internet. I want VW to honor me a manufacture buyback which I have already initiated the process for as my car meets the Louisiana Lemon Law Criteria’s. I want VW to fix these problems on this model for future consumers as well. I have submitted all of my supporting documents to VWGOA
IF THE VEHICLE IS STARTED VIA REMOTE START, AND THEN DRIVEN, RADAR RELATED AND OTHER SAFETY SYSTEM ARE NOT ONLINE. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT THESE SYSTEMS ARE OFFLINE. THE ONLY INDICATOR IS CRUISE ERRORS IF YOU ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE. THE DEALER HAS VALIDATED THIS BEHAVIOR BUT HAD NO PLAN OF ACTION. THE WORK AROUND IS TO RESTART THE CAR BEFORE DRIVING. IT'S SUSPECTED AND DISCUSSED IN MANY FORUMS. IT PRESENTS A LOSS OF SAFETY SYSTEM WITH NO ANNUNCIATION.
MULTIPLE TIMES THE SUV WILL AUTOMATICALLY BREAK WITH THE PARKING BREAK. IT HAS HAPPENED WILL TRYING TO TAKE OFF FROM A LIGHT. AND WHILE DRIVING. CITY STREET
AUTONOMOUS BREAKING OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING WITH NOTHING ON THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASION, BUT TODAY (09/16/2020) THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON APD 40 IN CLEVELAND, TENNESSEE WITH NO OBSTRUCTION IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. DASHCAM FOOTAGE MAY BE AVAILABLE, I'LL CHECK LATER TODAY TO SEE IF IT WAS CAPTURED.
WHEN GOING UP OR DOWN A STEEP HILL, AND ALSO 1 TIME PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT MY EMERGENCY BRAKES HAVE ENGAGED 5 TIMES. NO CARS HAVE BEEN AROUND (LUCKILY) AND I WAS NOT ABOUT TO HIT ANYTHING. MY COLLISION SENSORS ALSO GO OFF DAILY-THE ENTIRE TIME I'M DRIVING EVEN WHILE NOTHING IS AROUND. I CAN PULL UP TO AN EMPTY INTERSECTION AND THEY WILL DO OFF. I HAVE TRIED TO CHANGE THE SENSITIVITY AND THIS STILL HAPPENS. THEY ARE NOT CONSISTENT EITHER- THE SAME ROAD CAN MAKE IT GO OFF ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. BUT THEY ARE ALWAYS GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I HAVE TO EXIT OUT OF THE SCREEN
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving approximately 60-70 MPH, the vehicle abruptly slowed and jolted the driver forward. The Forward Collision Avoidance assist sensor light illuminated and there was an abnormal beeping sound detected. The contact was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated the vehicle was not safe to be driven. The dealer experienced the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and referred her to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
MY BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP 4 OR 5 TIMES (SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN APRIL 2019) WHEN EXITING A PARKING LOT WITH MINIMAL SLOPE TO TURN ONTO THE STREET. THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND ALERTS BEEP. THE CAR MUST BE PLACED IN PARK, THEN REVERSE TO MAKE THE DRIVE FEATURE FUNCTION AGAIN TO GET OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE FORCE OF THE BRAKING, LOCKS UP THE SEAT BELTS AS WELL. THANKFULLY NO ONE HAS BEEN BEHIND ME TO AVOID REAR END COLLISION NOR ONCOMING. I AM NERVOUS TO PULL OUT OF A DRIVEWAY NOW
THE BRAKES ACTIVATED ON THEIR OWN WHILE IN MOTION, AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. NO CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT SHOULD HAVE ACTIVATED THE AUTOMATIC COLLISION PREVENTION SYSTEM. THE CAR BEHIND ALSO HAD TO STOP TO AVOID CRASHING INTO MY REAR. THE AUTOMATIC COLLISION PREVENTION SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE BUT NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION.
CAR DISENGAGED ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND EMERGENCY BRAKED SUDDENLY ("SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES"), WHILE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED WARNINGS OF FRONT END IMPACT AND DISENGAGEMENT OF ACC AND ALL ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS. THE CAR WAS TRAVELING 68MPH ON A STRAIGHT LINE, FLAT BRIDGE OVER WATER. OTHER CARS WERE TO THE SIDE AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NO FRONT END COLLISION WAS POSSIBLE AT THE TIME. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS IS A RADAR ISSUE THAT "EVERY CAR HAS." EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!
THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPEN 3 TIMES. AUTO START/STOP IS DISENGAGED EACH TIME. ONE INCIDENT (6/19/20) WHILE DRIVING 50MPH, HAD TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT & RESTART THE ENGINE. ANOTHER (8/19/20) WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO GO INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS. THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. DEALER HAS CONTACTED VW TECH & ENGINEERING. WE HAVE STARTED FILE WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE. WE WERE INSTRUCTED BY VW THAT THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS, LEAVE THE CAR WHERE IT STOPS & TO CALL CUSTOMER CARE FOR A TOW. WE ALSO HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH ONE KEY NOT BEING RECOGNIZED BY THE CAR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. TODAY, THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY & THE RADIO SHUT DOWN WHILE IDLING AT CVS (AUTO START/STOP WAS OFF).
CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER BEING GARAGE FOR TWO DAYS. NOTHING WAS LEFT ON IN THE CAR. THE OTHER THING I NOTICED WAS THAT THE START STOP FUNCTION NO LONGER WORKS. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IT WORKED ALL THE TIME.
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WILL AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE SLAMMING THE CAR INTO A STAND STILL AND POTENTIALLY BEING HIT. THERE ARE SENSORS THAT ACTIVATE THE BRAKES AND THEY GO OFF WHEN THERE IS NOTHING AROUND TO SET THEM OFF. TOOK THE CAR IN. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY CALLED THE TECH ASSIST LINE AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE HEARD OF BUT WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SAY IF THE BRAKES SLAM ON THEN THE SENSORS ARE WORKING. THIS WAS HAPPENING TO MY CAR DAILY AND I HONESTLY WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS IS A TOTAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR YOUR CAR TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES FOR NO REASON IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION. I HAVE TURNED THE MANEUVER BRAKING OFF BUT I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THAT FEATURE THAT DOES NOT WORK SAFELY. I ALSO GET OTHER RANDOM WARNING LIGHTS THAT GO OFF FOR NO REASON. THEY PLUG IT IN TO LOOK FOR CODES AND NOTHING SHOWS UP SO THEY DO NOT FEEL THERE IS A PROBLEM TO ADDRESS.
First issues started with the engine surging at low speeds or coming to a stop which progressed into complete engine stalls. Had the car at the dealer 3 different times, it doesn’t stall anymore but still surges. Have had multiple occurrences of instrument panel indicators going off to include Error:airbag, seatbelt light and beeps while seatbelt was fastened, frontal crash warning lights and sounds as well as watch for rear traffic lights and sounds (one being while I was backing out of the garage where there are no cars) and the last being engaging the parking brake multiple time while at a stop light. This vehicle definitely does not feel safe for me to drive myself and 2 children around in. A major accident could occur if airbags deploy randomly or don’t deploy when needed or if the parking brake is engaged while in motion and not while at a light next time. I don’t see how any of these issues aren’t a recall or being told by dealers that they’ve never heard of an issue before.
WHILE EXITING PARKING LOTS AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKING SYSTEM SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BRINGING MY CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP. ONE EXIT HAD SOMEWHAT OF A STEEP SLOPE , THE OTHER ONE WAS ALMOST FLAT. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME OR I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN REAR ENDED SINCE NOTHING WAS AROUND ME AND NOTHING ELSE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO SLAM ON. CAR IS ALSO VERY JERKY WHILE ACCELERATING OR BRAKING. JERKS THROUGH THE GEARS AND THEN JERKS WHILE BRAKING. THIS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS, MOST PREVALENT IN NEIGHBORHOODS GOING OVER BUMPS OR SLOWING FOR STOP SIGNS.TOOK MY CAR IN TO GET LOOKED AT, THEY PREFORMED A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" AND SAID IT WOULD MOST LIKELY STOP THE JERKING. WHEN I WAS LEAVING, I WAS GIVEN A "VEHICLE EMISSION RECALL-PROOF OF CORRECTION-CA" FORM JUST IN CASE THE DMV ASKED ME FOR THIS FORM. THE "SOFTWARE" UPDATE SEEMED TO SOMEWHAT FIX THE PROBLEM BUT NOT ALL THE WAY. MY CAR EITHER DRIVES SUPER JERKY OR SMOOTH, NO IN BETWEEN. IN MY OPINION, FOR A $40, 000 CAR, THIS IS RIDICULOUS. HAVEN'T EVEN MADE A PAYMENT ON IT AND IM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT (UNLESS IT WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING CORRECTLY).
WHEN LOWERING THE THIRD ROW SEATS OF THE ATLAS THE SEATS SLAM DOWN AND FORWARD WITH GREAT FORCE. WHEN PARKED TODAY, I WAS LOWERING THE SEATS AND THE SEAT LOWERED WITH SUCH FORCE THE MY FOOT WAS MASHED AND PINNED IMMEDIATELY A LARGE KNOT APPEARED. I PLAN TO HAVE AN X-RAY OF THE FOOT TOMORROW. MY IMMEDIATE THOUGHT WAS THE DAMAGE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO A SMALLER CHILD.
VEHICLE WILL NOT ALLOW OVER THREE GALLONS OF GAS TO BE PUT INTO THE TANK DURING FUELING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ONCE AT DEALERSHIP WITH THE FUEL CANISTER REPLACED BUT AFTER THE VEHICLE AS RETURNED WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN WILL NOT ALLOW OVER THREE GALLONS TO BE PUT INTO THE TANK. DURING FUELING THE IN TANK PORT MAKES A LOUD HISSING SOUND AND THE SMELL WAS F GASOLINE IS NOTICEABLE WITHIN THE VEHICLE.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME ISSUES WITH MY RECENT PURCHASE THAT I AM HAVING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME RESOLVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN SOME WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE ISSUE WAS DISMISSED AS A NORMAL "BREAKING IN" AND SHOULD GO AWAY AS I APPROACH 12,000 MILES. THIS WAS VERY TROUBLING AS I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A NEW VEHICLE WITH THIS ISSUE. ON JULY 9, 2020, I RETURNED THE CAR WITH THE SAME STEERING ISSUE AND TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. AFTER NOT HEARING ANYTHING BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I WENT BACK TO LOYALTY TO CHECK THE STATUS. AT THIS TIME, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS A FAULTY RACK AND PINION BUT THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS UNSURE ON A TIMELINE AND WOULD NOT KNOW ANYTHING UNTIL MONDAY. AFTER NOT HEARING BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I RETURNED TO LOYALTY MONDAY EVENING TO LEARN THAT THE PART IS ON BACKORDER AND IT WILL BE SOME MONTHS BEFORE IT IS AVAILABLE. I AM ALSO TOLD AT THIS TIME BY TWO OF YOUR SERVICES ADVISORS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE WITH A FAULTY RACK AND PINION, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WAS TOLD BY ONE OF YOUR SERVICE TECHNICIANS THAT HE ABSOLUTELY ADVISES AGAINST DRIVING IT WITH A FAULTY RACK AND PINION UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. ALSO, THE SAME SERVICE ADVISOR THAT TOLD ME THE ISSUE WAS A NORMAL "BREAKING IN" ON SATURDAY EXPLAINS, REPEATEDLY, THAT HE HAS AN ATLAS THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WAITING ON THE SAME PART. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY A LOYALTY SALES ASSOCIATE ON THURSDAY (7/23) THAT A LOYALTY EMPLOYEE HAS A SIMILAR VEHICLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS MAKES THE FACT THAT I WAS DISMISSED A FEW WEEKS AGO EVEN MORE TROUBLING, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE MILITARY IS MOVING US NEARLY 900 MILES IN A FEW DAYS.
THERE ARE SMALL SPOTS OF RUST ALL AROUND THE CAR, LOWER HALF.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SLAMMING ON BRAKES FOR NO REASON, NO CARS IN FRONT OF US WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT ABOUT 70 MPH. THE ACC SYSTEM WORKS SPORADICALLY. WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN THEY DID THE RECALL REPAIR IT DEPROGRAMMED THE ACC WHICH THEY SAY THERE IS NO SOFTWARE UPDATE. MY DAUGHTER WAS PARKING THE CAR AND THE CAR SHUT OFF ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND TOLD HER TO MANUALLY RESTART THE CAR. THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS 'NORMAL AND RELATED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO WORKS SPORADICALLY SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CAR STALLING AND SLAMMING ON BRAKES ARE BOTH VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS.
WHILE DRIVING A WARNING BEGAN TO FLASH STATING,"ONLY EXIT VEHICLE IN PARK POSITION." THE A/C WILL NOT BLOW HARD AND THE HEATED SEATS NO LONGER WORK. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE ELECTRICAL IS NOT WORKING. WITH EQUIPPED LANE ASSIST, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ITS ACCURACY. THE CURRENTLY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE SAME ISSUE ON THE GTI. OCCURRED WHEN IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY.
THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 25MPH AND WE WERE ABOUT TO CROSS RAILROAD TRACKS. JUST BEFORE REACHING THE TRACKS, THE FRONT ASSIST SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE APPLIED THE BREAKS AUTOMATICALLY AND CAME TO A SUDDEN AND FULL STOP. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE SINCE THE ROAD AND THE TRACKS WERE EMPTY AND THE RAILROAD RAMP WAS IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, EXITING A PARKING LOT WITH A DOWNWARD SLOPE TOWARDS A STREET, THE CAR'S AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED, IMMEDIATELY CAUSING THE VEHICLE STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. NO OTHER CAR WAS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM PERCEIVES THE ROAD AS AN OBSTACLE. THE UNEXPECTED STOP CAUSED ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND ME TO NEARLY REAR-END MY VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THEY AEB SYSTEM DID NOT ALLOW ME TO QUICKLY RESTART ACCELERATION, WHICH LEFT ME TEMPORARILY STRANDED FOR A COUPLE SECOND PERPENDICULAR TO THE STREET. *TR
CAR JUST STOPS WHEN LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND MY DRIVEWAY , NO OTHER CARS ARE IN THE AREA. BRAKING IS JERKY ALERT SYSTEM GOES CRAZY WITH NO ONE AROUND THE CAR JUST STOPS. THIS HAPPEN TO US A TOTAL OF 7 TIMES SO FAR. I THE FIRST TIME I REPORTED TO THE DEALER WAS ON JUNE 8 THE CAR HAD 500 MILES. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER LATE JUNE AND THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR WITH US. IT DIDNT STOP BUT THE SERVICE MANGER DID WITNESS THE SENSITIVE ALERTS AND STATED THAT HE WOULD CONTACT THE FIELD MANAGER. NO FOLLOW UP FROM THE DEALER WAS RECEIVED FOR THREE WEEKS . THIS DEALER IS NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH. THEN HE SAYS THAT THERE IS NO UPDATES TO THE COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM AND TOLD US TO CALL CUSTOMER CARE. I HAVE A 43,000 CAR THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE.
MY SUV HAS DEVELOPED RUST ALL AROUND. BACK DOOR, SIDE PANELS ON BOTH SIDE, CLOSER TO BOTTOM HALF.
WHETHER SUV IS TURNED ON USING REMOTE START OR MANUAL START THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. READS ERROR: ACC. DEALERSHIP STATES THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX - HOPEFUL FOR A MANUFACTURED UPDATE TO FIX. ENTERTAINMENT SCREEN FLASHING AND WILL NOT TURN OFF UNTIL 5 ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF AND ON SUV. DEALERSHIP STATED IT NEEDED AN UPDATE.
VW PERFORMED AN EMISSIONS RECALL SOFTWARE UPDATE ON THIS VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO. SINCE THIS SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AFTER USING THE VEHICLES OEM REMOTE START. THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS WHEN NOT USING REMOTE START HOWEVER. THEY HAVE SO FAR REFUSED TO OFFER A FIX.
WE HAVE RAIN SENSING WIPERS, BUT WE KEEP THE CONTROL IN THE OFF POSITION. UNFORTUNATELY, WHILE DRIVING ON SUNNY DAYS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SPORADICALLY GO OFF. THERE WILL BE TIMES WHERE THEY WILL WIPE JUST ONCE, BUT THEN THERE ARE TIMES WHERE IT JUST GOES OFF FOR MINUTES AT A TIME. IT COULD BE A SMOOTH ROAD OR A BUMPY ROAD. IT COULD BE AT A SHOW SPEED OR HIGH SPEED. DOESN'T MATTER. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT WE HAD THE SENSITIVITY TOO HIGH, BUT IN THE OFF POSITION, THEY SHOULDN'T GO OFF AT ALL. THIS IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. AS IF THERE IS A SHORT SOMEWHERE. PLEASE HELP AS WE NEED THIS FIXED. A NEW VEHICLE SHOULDN'T HAVE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. *TR
PURCHASED VEHICLE 4/18/2020. SUV WAS SHAKING AND TOLD THE SELLER. THEY STATED THEY WOULD FIX WHEN THEY DID THE STICKER AND REGISTRATION. ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE SHAKING BY ROAD FORCE BALANCE. WAS TOLD WAS A FLAT SPOT SO THEY REPLACED RIMS AND TIRES WITH A SET OFF ANOTHER TRUCK. STILL SHOOK AND WAS PULLING TO RIGHT. THEY ATTEMPTED FIXING THE TIRES AND DID ROAD TEST BALANCING ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE TRUCK STILL SHAKES EXCESSIVELY AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I CONTACTED CORPORATE AND THE DEALER. THEY STATED THAT THEY DID WHAT THEY COULD AND NO LONGER WISH TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS MY WIFE AND TWIN 16 MONTH OLD GIRLS WILL BE IN THE SUV. WE PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW AND HAS BEEN SHAKING SINCE THEN. IT SHAKES AT 40-60 MILES AN HOUR. SO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS NOT SUITABLE TO BE DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS AT THOSE SPEEDS. *TR
WHILE IN MOTION AND REMAINING STILL, AS YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT THE STEERING GEAR MAKES A CLUNKING, KNOCKING NOISE THROUGHOUT THE STEERING GEAR.
TWICE THIS VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IN MARCH WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE GOING 70 MPH. AND ONE TIME EXCELLING WHILE LEAVING AN EXIT RAMP. I ROLLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD AND PUT IN PARK. GAVE IT A TEST AND IT THEN RESTARTED. *TR
HAVE HAD MY 2019 VOLKSWAGEN SEL R LINE 4 MOTION FOR LESS THAN A MONTH WITH ONLY 2,000 MILES ON IT. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD NOT 20 MINUTES LATER ON ROUTE 66 THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON TELLING US IT WAS LOW AND NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. WE PULLED OVER AND THE OVERFLOW TANK WAS EMPTY. WE IMMEDIATELY CALL VOLKSWAGEN OKC AND THE SALES MANAGER WAS IN DISBELIEF ALSO. SHE TOLD US TO GET IT TO THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. WE ADDED WATER TO IT AND ONLY WATER SO WE DIDN'T JEOPARDIZE OUR WARRANTY. DIDN'T MAKE IT 5 MINUTES WHEN IT SAID IT WAS LOW AGAIN AND OVER HEATING. WE ADDED MORE WATER AS NEEDED AND GOT IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSING SO THEY GAVE US A LOANER AND TOLD US WE WOULD HEAR FROM THEM FIRST THING MONDAY. WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEM ON MONDAY SO I CALLED THEM FIRST THING TUESDAY MORNING. AT THIS TIME THEY INFORMED ME A ROCK OR DEBRIS FROM ROAD FLEW UP AND PUNCTURED A SMALL HOLE IN RADIATOR AND WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE $1,500 IN DAMAGE BECAUSE ROAD DEBRIS ISN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY. I WAS BESIDE MYSELF! WE JUST BOUGHT A $40,000 CAR AND NOW NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER THEY ARE TELLING ME THIS WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN OKLAHOMA CITY SEEMED SO NICE AND EAGER TO PLEASE WHEN WE WERE PURCHASING OUR VEHICLE AND THEN THIS HAPPENED. I TOLD THEM MY WORRY WAS HOW THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, EVERY TIME I PULL OUT OF DRIVE WAY I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A ROCK CAUSING $1,500 WORTH OF DAMAGE????? THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT. I FEEL LIKE IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER TESTIMONIALS ABOUT THEIR ATLAS HAVING COOLANT PROBLEMS.
THE CAR RANDOMLY DOES NOT ACCELERATE AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN CHANGING LANES IN TRAFFIC, HAS A SCREECHING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION THAT VW SAYS IS A NORMAL LOUD NOISE BECAUSE ITS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR ALL THE VEHICLES (THAT'S THE EXACT WORDS FROM THE VW MECHANIC). I HAVE A VIDEO THAT SHOWS THE PROBLEM WITH EXCELEAREATION YET VW TELLS ME THEY'RE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE SWAY BARS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES IN 6 MONTHS AND THE PROBLEM STILL ISN'T REPAIRED. THE AUTO COLLISION RANDOMLY WORKS.
AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM DEPLOYS WITHOUT CAUSE. SITUATION: DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, NO CARS WITHIN A HALF MILE, GOING 75 WITH ACC AND BREAKS AUTOMATICALLY SLAMMED ON WITH A COLLISION WARNING. SENSOR AND CAR WERE CLEAN, NO CARS OR POSSIBLE IMPACTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES. ADDITIONAL SITUATIONS: ACC TURNS OFF BOTH ON INTERSTATE AND ON LONG HIGHWAY BRIDGE. SITUATIONS WERE DIFFERENT, BOTH DAY AND NIGHT TIME/ WITH OTHER CARS AND WITHOUT. ALL SITUATIONS HAD NO POSSIBLE CHANCE OF IMPACT. ACC WILL TURN OFF WHILE CAR IS GOING IN 50-70 MPH RANGE AND SUDDENLY BREAK, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALERSHIP RESPONDED "NOTHING IS PERFECT" THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED ROUGHLY 7 TIMES, WITH NO ADVICE FROM THE DEALER OTHER THAN TO "SEE IF I CAN JUST TURN THE ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS OFF." THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO SEE MY CAR IMMEDIATELY WHEN I TOOK IT IN AFTER THE BRAKING INCIDENT TODAY AND HAVE SCHEDULED ME FOR A LATER DATE.
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 mph, the vehicle inadvertently stalled but remained in motion. The warning message "There Is Someone in Front of You" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted on its own and she was able to drive to her destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. On another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated independently and the message "There Is Someone in Front of You" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light illuminated once, and the rear-view camera screen would inadvertently go black. The vehicle was taken to a second the dealer The Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside Auto Service (6161 Joliet Rd, Countryside, IL 60525) who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test. A case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.
Steering Wheel column fully locked while parked. Was not able to turn the car on as the steering wheel had issues. Had to call a tow company to take it to the dealership for repairs. They had to replace the steering wheel column module.
STRUCK A LARGE POTHOLE WITH DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL WHILE TRAVELING 15MPH ON A ROUNDABOUT WHICH APPARENTLY CAUSED THE SIDE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. NO BODY DAMAGE AND NO APPEARANCE OF SUSPENSION DAMAGE. TIRE AND WHEEL REMAINED INTACT, DROVE STRAIGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOR CLOSER LOOK/EXPLANATION AS TO WHY ALL SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
PANORAMIC SUNROOF POPPED AND SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY ROCKS OR DEBRIS HITTING IT PRIOR TO IT EXPLODING. GLASS SHOWED OUTWARD DEPRESSION, NOT INWARD, AFTER CRACKING.
VEHICLE WOULD TURN OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. ORIGINALLY HAPPENED WHEN GOING IN REVERSE UP A HILL, VEHICLE WARNING TO PUT INTO PARK AND MANUALLY RESTART. HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES AND WAS BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CONTACTED VW AND RECOMMENDED THE FUEL PUMP BE REPLACED. THEY COMPLETED THE REPAIRS. THEN A WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY AT APPROX. 75 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLOWING DOWN, I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE, I WAS ABLE TO START TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER AS THE VEHICLE STARTED DECLINING SPEED, I WAS UNABLE TO USE THE GAS, SO I WAS ALMOST COASTING TO THE SHOULDER. THEN IT STATED PUT IN PARK AND START VEHICLE MANUALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND AT A SPEED OF 45. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING LOCKED UP. THERE WAS AN EPC LIGHT ON, A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED.
WE PARKED THE CAR IN OUR GARAGE AND THE NEXT DAY WE GOT IN IT AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE CAR GAVE A WARNING OF STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER 3,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO ORDER AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (TIMMONS SUBARU 3950 CHERRY AVE, LONG BEACH, CA 90807 (888) 496-9707) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE GEARBOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,748.
We have been having the same issue with the vehicle with the steering wheel shaking when making a close turn (ex. in a parking lot). The dealer made a repair on the clockspring and said that this would solve the issue and it did not. We have taken the vehicle several times to fix this issue and they have not been able to, it is getting worse. We now have been experiencing an issue where the car, usually after braking, will also brake on its own. This is especially concerning in icy conditions which could cause lose of control of the car. We took the vehicle in for this issue and they made a repair to the driver's door sensor and said that this would fix it, but it did not. Please let us know what further information you need.
Since we purchased our vehicle in 2019 the steering wheel will shake when turning the steering wheel. The VW Service Center claimed it was the clockspring and did the repair in early 2020 and the vehicle issue seemed improved with that repair. However, shortly after the same issue began and it has gotten much worse. I am concerned that if it is the clockspring then there can be a sudden serious issue depending on what is happening to the wiring with the clockspring. We have attempted several more times to get this issue fixed, but the VW Service Center claims to not detect the issue and on the last attempt refused to service the vehicle after having it for a week.
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 5 MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS LESS THAN 6K MILES ON IT. YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, I NOTICED THE STORAGE NOOK UNDER THE RADIO COMPARTMENT WAS WET. I LOOKED UP AND SAW WATER DRIPPING FROM THE CEILING ON PASSENGER SIDE CONSOLE. I DID TAKE VIDEO OF DRIPPING. IT DROPPED WATER WHILE MOVING AND AT A COMPLETE STOP, SO LONG AS IT WAS RAINING. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT ON FORUMS. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO VW DEALER TODAY AT 8AM AND IT IS STILL THERE AT 3:32 AM. I CALLED TO GET A STATUS AND THE RETURN CALL SAID THAT I NEED A NEW DRAINHOSE AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE ORDERED. THEY SAID IT WILL BE IN 2 DAYS AND THEY WILL CALL TO SCHEDULE REPAIR. I ASKED WHAT HAPPENS IF SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE IS CAUSED BY THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD "WE USUALLY JUST HAVE TO REPLACE CARPET". THIS TELLS ME THAT THEY'RE WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT. THIS DEALERSHIP DOES NOT GIVE LOANER VEHICLES. I'M NERVOUS AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND READING OF PEOPLE WHO'VE HAD THEIR VEHICLE IN THE SHOP REPEATEDLY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I'M FILING A COMPLAINT ON MY FIRST GO ROUND BECAUSE OF ALL I'VE READ AND THE RESPONSE I GOT FROM THE DEALERSHIP.
I PULLED TO THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF WITH THE BUTTON BUT IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND IT DID NOT ADVISE ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK. THE CAR PROCEEDED TO ROLL BACK INTO A TREE. EVERY OTHER CAR I OWN WHETHER IT HAS A KEY OR KEYLESS START ALERTS YOU THAT YOUR CAR IS NOT IN PARK IF YOU TURN IT OFF IN ANOTHER GEAR OTHER THAN PARK.
WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP AND THE AUTO START/STOP ACTIVATES, THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES NOT AUTO RESTART AND WILL DISPLAY, "PLEASE MANUALLY RESTART THE ENGINE". IN ORDER TO FOLLOW THE PROMPTS AND START THE VEHICLE AGAIN, YOU HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND PUSH THE IGNITION BUTTON. I WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THIS ISSUE 100% OF THE TIME BY COMING TO A STOP, HAVING THE IGNITION AUTO STOP AND THEN REMOVING MY SEAT BELT (LIKE YOU OFTEN DO IN A DRIVE-THRU TO GET YOUR WALLET OUT OF YOUR BACK POCKET). I'VE ALSO FOUND THAT EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WILL DISPLAY, "PLEASE MANUALLY RESTART" IF YOU RECONNECT YOUR SEAT BELT AND PUSH THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WILL TAKE OFF IN DRIVE. I"VE HAD THIS HAPPEN UNEXPECTEDLY ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS NOW AND SOME INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED IN THE STREET AND OCCURRED EVEN WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS ATTACHED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITH SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO VW TWICE NOW OVER THE ISSUE AND THE DEALER TRIES TO CLAIM THAT'S HOW THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO OPERATE. I SHOWED THEM PAGE 173 IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH STATES THAT ALL THREE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MUST BE MET FOR THE VEHICLE NOT TO AUTO RESTART: NO PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IS REMOVED, AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. THE WORD ALL IS IN BOLD AND CAPITALIZED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I'VE ALSO CONTACTED VW CORPORATE IN REFERENCE TO THE ISSUE. THE LOANER ATLAS THE DEALER GAVE ME PERFORMS IN THE SAME DEFECTIVE MANNER. I BELIEVE THERE'S A COMPUTER PROGRAMMING ISSUE AND ALL ATLAS' NEED RECALLED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT PERFORMING PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL; WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THERE IS VIDEO OF THE ISSUE AND THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM AS WELL EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FIGHTING ME TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026