Page 7 of 10 · complaints 301–350 of 467

2018 Volkswagen Atlas complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2018 record →

Electrical System
Filed Dec 17, 201941,000 milesIL

CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW 2/15/2018. HAS 41000 MILES AND DEALER MAINTAINED. MY WIFE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION WITH A 1 YEAR OLD AND 4 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR WHEN AUTO SHUTOFF OCCURRED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. MY WIFE HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD WITH THE KIDS IN THE CAR AND BE JUMP STARTED. DEALER SAYS IT IS ALL DUE TO A BAD BATTERY. UPON RESEARCH THIS IS A FREQUENT AND HAZARDOUS ISSUE. *BF CONSUMER REPLACED THE BATTERY.*JB

Engine
Filed Dec 7, 201936,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CANYON IN HEAVY SNOW, THE GRILL SHUTTERS ICED SHUT. ONCE DOWN, WE DROVE ABOUT 20MINS ACROSS TOWN, THEN STARTED A LONG CLIMB UP A FREEWAY, ABOUT 20MINS OF CONSTANT UPHILL. ON REACHING THE TOP I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE OIL TEMP, WHICH IS NORMALLY AROUND 200DEG, HAD REACHED 230DEG, AS THE OIL COOLER IS BEHIND THE GRILL SHUTTERS, AND WASN'T GETTING ANY AIR FLOW. THERE WAS NO WARNING FROM THE CAR THAT THE SHUTTERS WERE STUCK SHUT, OR THAT THE OIL WAS GETTING HOT.

Engine
Filed Nov 29, 201972,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO J BERTOLET VOLKSWAGEN (555 RTE 61, ORWIGSBURG, PA 17961) WHERE IT HAD BEEN KEPT SINCE AUGUST 14, 2019. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ONE OTHER TIME ON FEBRUARY 1, 2019 WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEDDY VOLKSWAGEN (3743 BOSTON RD, BRONX, NY 10466) WHERE THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR THREE MONTHS AND REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED HALF OFF THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT PRICE (WITHOUT LABOR). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 11, 201927,600 milesIN

START/STOP SYSTEM OR OTHER ELECTRICAL "FEATURE" DRAINS THE BATTERY TO THE POINT THE ENGINE WON'T START. WORSE THAN THAT, THE START/STOP SYSTEM DOESN'T DEACTIVATE ITSELF EVEN WHEN THE BATTERY IS TOO LOW TO RESTART THE MOTOR. WE WERE JUST STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT IN A BLIZZARD THANKS TO THE CAR NOT STARTING BACK UP.

Power Train
Filed Nov 11, 201945,000 milesMO

ERROR "TRANSMISSION IN EMERGENCY MODE" WHEN COLD STARTING.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 21, 201917,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE RIVERS VOLKSWAGEN (3694 WASHINGTON RD, MCMURRAY, PA 15317, (724) 941-6100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ELEVEN MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR USB DRIVE CAUSED THE FAILURE BECAUSE IT DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 201918,000 milesSC

THE CAR STOPS ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH ILLUMINATE, AND CAR STARTS AGAIN AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. TWICE GOING UP THE DRIVEWAY AND THREE TIMES WHILE ON BACK ROADS. NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF OR BEHIND US FOR TWO OF THE TIMES. ONE OF THE TIMES, IT WAS DURING TRAFFIC SO THE SPEED WAS SLOW ENOUGH NOT TO HAVE AN IMPACT. ONE OTHER TIME IT STOPPED ABOUT HALF A CAR LENGTH AWAY FROM THE CURB WHEN PARKING THE CAR. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING 70, WITH THE BLINKER ON TO GET OVER TO THE CENTER LANE, THE CAR JERKED ME BACK TO THE RIGHT..I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE, A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, A CAR BEHIND ME, NO CARS IN THE MIDDLE LANE, AND TWO IN THE FAR LEFT LANE COMING UP. ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO THINK THERE WAS A CAR TO THE LEFT OF ME. THE TWO CARS IN MY ORIGINAL LANE AND THE TWO CARS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE REMAINED IN THOSE LANES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUES. MY CASE WAS ESCALATED TO THE SE REGIONAL CASE MANAGER, WHO PUT THE CASE IN FOR REVIEW TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOTIFIED TODAY, 10/18/2019, THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BUY IT BACK BUT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANTY. HOW CAN THEY SERVICE THE VEHICLE IF THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY EXPECT TO DRIVE THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE UNTIL SOMEONE DIES! I PAID EXTRA TO BUY THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES, WHICH IS WHAT IS CAUSING THI

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 2019FL

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY BRAKED HARD. I ALSO APPLIED THE BRAKE AND FELT CONFIDENT THAT IT WOULD HAVE STOPPED ON TIME. THE ATLAS AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM TOOK OVER AND PUT MY CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS UNABLE TO APPLY THE GAS TO KEEP GOING UNTIL I PUT CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTART, PUT BACK IN DRIVE AND GOT OUT OF THERE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE HOPING THAT NO CARS BEHIND ME WOULD CRASH INTO ME WITH 3 CHILDREN IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE.THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE SINCE TURNED OFF THE FRONT ASSIST MECHANISM. HOWEVER, EVERY TIME I START THE CAR I MUST REMEMBER TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT DEFAULTS BACK TO FRONT ASSIST.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 8, 2019CA

ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. AS YOU PRESS ON THE GAS THIS ISSUE DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. HAS STOPPED ON ME NOW TWICE IN 3 MONTHS. FIRST REPAIR TOOK 20 DAYS. WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY BECAUSE IT HAPPENED ON FREEWAY THE FIRST TIME AND ON A HILL THE 2ND SO THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS.

Engine
Filed Sep 27, 201920,000 milesPR

MY VW ATLAS SEL 2018 IS SHUTTING OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. SO FAR THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. ONCE WHILE I WAS IN REVERSE AT SLOW SPEED, SECOND TIME WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THE MOST RECENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS VERY SCARY BECAUSE I HAVE TO PUT IN PARK, PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND START THE CAR AGAIN, WHILE IN THE HIGHWAY. THE SCREEN DISPLAYS AN ERROR IN THE START-STOP, AND ALSO EN ENGINE ERROR THAT SAYS: ENGINE ON DUE TO SYSTEM ERROR AND ONE TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THE UNIT HAS SPENT WEEKS IN THE VW DEALERSHIP AND STILL THEY CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT, THEY RETURN THE CAR AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR, I HAVE A SON AND I NEED A CAR I FEEL SAFE DRIVING.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 27, 201920,000 milesPR

THE SUNROOF IS LEAKING A LOT OF WATER. THE VW DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS BECAUSE THE DRAIN TUBE GETS CLOGGED, THE CLEANED IT AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME $80 FOR SOMETHING I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. FINALLY THEY HONORED THE WARRANTY AND I DIDN'T PAY. THIS COMPLAINT IS TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE IF THIS HAPPENS TO THEM.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 26, 201914,000 milesTX

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AND THEN MADE A METAL GRINDING SOUND. AN ALERT WENT OFF AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. THE AUTOMATIC BRAKES ENGAGED AND SLAMMED ON. THE BRAKE LIGHT WENT SOLID AND THEN OFF, AND WAS REPLACED BY A "BRAKE BOOSTER FAULTY" WARNING. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTIONING.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 25, 201926,000 milesVA

BATTERY DIED RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT CAR AND IT APPEARS THIS IS QUITE A FREQUENT ISSUE WITH THIS CAR

Suspension
Filed Sep 24, 2019NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V904000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN OF ASHEVILLE (621 BREVARD RD, ASHEVILLE, NC 28806, (828) 232-4000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.*PM CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER INFORMED THEM THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN AND SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED. *DL

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 12, 20197,000 milesUT

PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOTS WHERE THERE IS SLIGHT DIP CRASH AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WILL KICK IN WHILE TURN INTO TRAFFIC AND WILL STOP THE VEHICLE ALMOST MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, ALMOST GOT T BONE FEW TIME, I HAVE BROUGHT UP TO VW ATTENTION, DEALER KEEPS SAYING NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE . TO ME IT IS SAFETY CONCERN, DEFINITELY FOR VW, THANK YOU

Seats
Filed Sep 11, 201911,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE MIDDLE ROW SEATS VIOLENTLY SHIFTED FORWARD WHILE OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE SEATS WERE NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 4, 201935,000 milesTX

IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE PURCHASED TWO 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS SE SUV'S BOTH VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES IN THE REAR SEAT SECTION. UNDER PRESSURE OF CAR SEAT INSTALLATION AND/OR NORMAL USE THESE BUCKLES HAVE BEEN DEEMED FAULTY BY A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND I WAS ADVISED TO NOT USE THE BUCKLE UNTIL A REPLACEMENT WAS ORDERED. THE EASIEST WAY TO VISUALLY SEE THE DEFECT IS TO LOOK AT THE BUCKLE AND IF THE RED DEPRESS BUTTON RAISES ABOVE THE EXTERIOR PLASTIC IT IS CONSIDERED FAULTY AND SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE ATTACHED ONE NORMAL PHOTO AND A FAULTY PHOTO.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 201912,000 milesPA

WHEN EXITING A DRIVEWAY INTO TRAFFIC, IF THERE IS A DECLINE OR HILL, THE AUTOMATIC BREAKING CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW IN 2 DIFFERENT PLACES. THE SENSORS START BEEPING AND THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WHERE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR BACK IN GEAR AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I LET THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT VW IN DEVON KNOW AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 13, 201914,758 milesCA

MY 2018 VW ATLAS BRAKE SENSORS THAT ACTIVATE WHEN THEY SEE SOMETHING THAT MAY CAUSE A CRASH SLAMMING THE BRAKES ON. THAT WOULD BE GOOD IF IT WAS REASONABLE BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THE BRAKES SLAM ON JUST DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY!! I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VW AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN THE DESIGN SETTINGS. IT ALWAYS DOES IT WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT SO WHEN PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY IT IS A CRAP SHOOT WHETHER IT WILL ACTIVATE THE BRAKES OR NOT, AND IT IS GOING TO CAUSE A ACCIDENT BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN OR WHERE IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I WROTE A COMPLAINT AT CAR COMPLAINTS.COM AND I SAW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WORRY ABOUT THE SNOW AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IT IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION PLEASE HELP WITH GETTING VW TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 20197,000 milesNJ

HI MY WIFE DRIVES A 2018 ATLAS AS OUR FAMILY CAR. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING HAS SUDDENLY ENGAGED WHEN THERE WERE NO CARS NEAR THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE PARKING ON FLAT SURFACES IN AN EMPTY LOT, PARKING IN EMPTY LOT ON A VERY SLIGHTLY INCLINE, AND WHILE CRUISING WITHIN A HIGHWAY LANE WITHOUT A CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OR BEHIND US. UNPREDICTABLE UNCONTROLLED SUDDEN BRAKING IS DANGEROUS AND CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE COLLISIONS. THE ATLAS IS A VEHICLE WHICH IS COMMONLY USED TO TRANSPORT FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN. I HOPE A NHTSA RECALL CAN BE ISSUED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.

Service Brakes1 injured
Filed Jul 2, 201910,153 milesFL

AS I WAS GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION THE CAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING TURNED ON AND CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ALMOST T-BONED BY ANOTHER CAR. THERE ARE NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME. CLEAR DAY. 85 DEGREES. 9 AM.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 12, 201933,000 milesCA

ON MONDAY 6/10/2019 AT 18:10, I WAS DRIVING WEST ON CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 91 IN RIVERSIDE CALIFORNIA. I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH MY WIFE, THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL, GOING 65 MPH. THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME, I WAS DRIVING IN THE SECOND LANE FROM THE RIGHT. MY CAR APPROACHED AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK AND IT WAS PASSING THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS ON THE RIGHT LANE, MY CAR APPROACHED ON THE NEXT LANE TO THE LEFT. THE CAR WAS STILL ON CRUISE CONTROL AND I WAS STILL ON THE PHONE WITH MY WIFE. AS THE CAR WAS PASSING THE TRUCK, THE VW ATLAS EXECUTES AN EMERGENCY BRAKE AS IF SOMETHING WAS IN MY WAY. THE CAR GAVE NO WARNINGS BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 12, 201914,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SAW FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO VILLAGE VOLKSWAGEN OF CHATTANOOGA (6001 INTERNATIONAL DR, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421, (423) 855-4981) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE CAUSED THE DAMAGE; THEREFORE, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A VALID WARRANTY IN EFFECT SINCE THERE WAS CURRENTLY ONLY 14,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IN 2018, THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE FUEL TANK LEAKING EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

Suspension
Filed Jun 11, 20193,000 milesMD

PURCHASED THE ATLAS BRAND NEW. 2000 MILES IN STARTED TO HEAR LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR LIKE THE STRUTS WERE GOING BAD, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY STATED MY DUST BOOT COVER WAS STUCK AND JUST NEEDED TO BE GREASED. 1000-2000 MORE MILES LATER SAME NOISE CAME BACK TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE NOISE IT IS ESPECIALLY LOUD WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. I MADE SHOP MANAGER RIDE WITH ME AND HE HEARD THE NOISE. HE REPLACED A STRUT MOUNT AND DUST COVER. 2500 MORE MILES LATER AND THE NOISE IS BACK. BOOT COVER IS STUCK AGAIN. DEALERSHIP FIXED IT AGAIN CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR THE NOISE AGAIN. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO VW NO RESPONSE YET. THIS IS THE 4TH RENTAL CAR I HAVE HAD DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. ON THE THIRD GO AROUND THEY TOLD ME THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND I DIDN'T EVEN GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND HEARD THE NOISE. TURNED RIGHT AROUND AND TOOK IT BACK. THEY GAVE MY RENTAL CAR BACK AND HAD MY CAR FOR A WEEK.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 10, 201936,225 milesTX

AIR BAG ERROR INDICATOR KEEPS GOING OFF AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG CONSTANTLY TURNS OFF AND ON WHEN A FRONT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

Engine
Filed Jun 9, 201931,833 milesPA

FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL PRESSURE PIPE LEAKING FUEL. SMELLED FUEL WHEN WALKING PAST VEHICLE ON 8 MAY 2019 WHEN STATIONARY AND NOT RUNNING. FUEL WAS VISIBLE ON TOP OF ENGINE BELOW PIPE.. WAS RETURNED BY DEALER ON 17 MAY19 AFTER THEY ACKNOWLEDGED LEAK AND RESET SEALS. ON 9 JUN 2019, SMELL OF FUEL WAS DETECTED WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. FUEL VISIBLE ON TOP OF ENGINE BELOW PRESSURE PIPE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND HAD AGAIN BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 8, 201911,000 milesCA

WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE THE CAR TURNS OFF DUE TO THE CARS ON/OFF FEATURE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I HAD TO PUT THE ATLAS IN PARK AND REST SET TO TURN IT ON. IT WILL NOT TURN BACK ON UNTIL AFTER A FEW TRIES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT TIMES NOW. I NOW DRIVE WITH THAT FEATURE TURNED OFF UNTIL VW CAN FIX THIS GLITCH. VERY UNSAFE WHILE SITTING TRAFFIC AND CAR IS STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 29, 20199,900 milesSC

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE 3,000 MILES. CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE. DEALERSHIP FIXED IT ON THE 3RD TRY AFTER GETTING VW INVOLVED. IT WAS A FAULTY GAS TANK, LEAKING FUEL INTO THE LINES. THEY REPLACED THE TANK AND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. LANE ASSIST FEATURE SEVERELY MALFUNCTIONS SINCE DAY 1 OF OWNING THIS CAR. NEARLY EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT, THE VEHICLE STEERS ITSELF INTO MEDIANS, INTO CURVES OR INTERSECTIONS, INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, ALWAYS WHILE I'M ACTIVELY DRIVING STRAIGHT. I CONTACTED VW; THEY RECOMMENDED HAVING THE SYSTEM INSPECTED. DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH IT, STATING IT WAS JUST A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. I WILL NOT JUST TURN THAT FEATURE OFF WHEN I'M PAYING FOR IT. I ASKED VW TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, AS IT HAS INCREASINGLY BECOME MORE DANGEROUS FOR MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. THEY DENIED MY REQUEST. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IN HOPES OF GETTING A MORE SENSIBLE OUTCOME, BUT VW HAS ONLY OFFERED TO SETTLE MY CONCERNS FOR $2,500, WHICH IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

Electrical System
Filed May 14, 201923,000 milesAL

I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC. THE AUTO START-STOP ACTIVATED, AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS STOPPED. TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING AGAIN SO I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, WHICH IS TYPICALLY WHEN THE ENGINE RESTARTS, BUT THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY SILENT AND THE CAR WAS DEAD. I TRIED RESTARTING IT TO NO AVAIL. I HAD THIS SAME ISSUE TWO MONTHS AGO, AND VOLKSWAGEN REPLACED THE BATTERY. AFTER THE CAR DIED, I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE SAYING THE BATTERY WAS LOW AND I SHOULD DRIVE TO RECHARGE IT, HOWEVER AT THAT POINT THE BATTERY WAS TOO DEAD TO DRIVE. I REALLY WISH THIS ERROR MESSAGE WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP BEFORE THE CAR DIED. WHY DID THE AUTO START-STOP ACTIVATE IF THE BATTERY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH JUICE TO ACTIVATE THE ENGINE?? TWO DIFFERENT BATTERIES, SAME ISSUE.

Service Brakes
Filed May 6, 201919,480 milesTX

AS I'M DRIVING AND TAP MY BREAKS, MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND THE DEALER TELLS ME MY FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED. I'VE ONLY DRIVEN 20,000 MILES AND I'VE GOT TO REPLACE THE ROTORS? THEY TELL ME I'VE GOT TO PAY AND IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY, I CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME. ITS A LOW MILEAGE SUV WITH ROTOR ISSUES, THAT TELLS ME VW USES LOW QUALITY PRODUCTS AND WON'T STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Apr 29, 2019VA

EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY PREVIOUS RECALLS I HAVE JUST HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PETAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING LESS THAN 5 MPH. ACTIVE START STOP SYSTEM (FUEL EFFICIENCY) WAS ENGAGED BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WAS ACTIVE. VEHICLE WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC HEADED DOWNHILL. I WAS EXITING A PARKING GARAGE ON A CITY STREET.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 24, 201913,039 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN AND HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH FULL FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEFTIN WESTLAKE VOLKSWAGEN (3550 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362) ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE THEY REPLACED THE LOW PRESSURE SENSOR FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE VACUUM HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,039.

Engine
Filed Apr 18, 20193,672 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK COOLANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEGEND VOLKSWAGEN (SIDE A, 158 MERRICK RD, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND ADDED COOLANT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT SMELLED COOLANT OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS REGARDING THE COOLANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT ODOR BECAME WORSE OVER TIME AND COULD BE SMELLED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,672.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 16, 201910,000 milesNC

BATTERY DIES WITH SHORT IDLE. WAITED LESS THAN 10 MINUTES FOR MY HUSBAND AND WARNING CAME ON TO DRIVE THE CAR TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON. ENGINE HAD MANUALLY SHUT OFF SO I WENT TO RESTART AND BATTERY WOULD NOT TURN ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.

Engine3 injured
Filed Apr 15, 20197,300 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SWEET AND MUSTY ODOR EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED HEADACHES AND NAUSEA DUE TO THE ODOR. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WINN VOLKSWAGEN (39695 BALENTINE DR, NEWARK, CA 94560, (510) 344-2013) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK AND AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 190150480. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT REQUESTED A BUYBACK OF THE VEHCILE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,300.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 10, 20191,500 milesCA

DRIVER SIDE B PILLAR RATTLE TAPPING. VISIBLE WELD GAP BETWEEN BODY AND SHEET METAL. THE WELD WAS NOT PROPERLY DONE. TAPPING NOISE IS NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROADS OR WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED AGAINST THE B PILLAR.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 2019100 milesAZ

WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY I WAS EXITING A SHOPPING PLAZA ON A CITY STREET AND TURNED RIGHT AND MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. MANY CARS WERE COMING AND HAD TO SLAM ON THEIR BREAKS THANKFULLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE MANEUVER BREAKING SENSORS. I DRIVE AND CONSTANTLY HEAR BEEP BEEP BEEP FROM THEM SENSING SOMETHING, WHEN IN FACT NOTHING IS EVEN NEAR MY CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW. PLEASE DO A RECALL ASAP TO FIX THIS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 1, 201927,121 milesVA

BATTERY DIED OUT OF NOWHERE. NOW CAR RADIO IS TURNING ON BY ITSELF WHEN CAR IS OFF. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY AFTER ABOUT ONE MINUTE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 26, 201912,000 milesCA

THE PASSENGER SIDE'S HEADLIGHT SUDDENLY SHATTERED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY, ON A PAVED ROAD. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLE AROUND OR AHEAD OF ME WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 25, 20195,000 milesCA

THE ANTI-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING OUT OF DRIVEWAYS OR STORES WITH A DIP IN THE ROAD. THE SYSTEM IDENTIFIES THE ROAD AS A CAR OR OBSTACLE IN THE WAY AND HARD BRAKES THE VEHICLE LEAVING IS STANDING UNABLE TO MOVE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!

Electrical System
Filed Mar 25, 201931,000 milesCO

I WAS STOPPED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 WEEKS THAT THE BATTERY DIED. TRAFFIC HAD TO BE REROUTED AROUND ME AS I SAT WAITING FOR A JUMP START. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THE BATTER IS ON BACK ORDER WHICH MAKES ME THINK THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM AFFECTING THIS VEHICLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 201930,000 milesMO

WAS DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE ALL OF A SUDDEN MALFUNCTIONED AND TURNED ON, AND LOCKED UP ALL MOVEMENT. THE SYSTEM WAS SCREAMING ELECTRONIC BRAKE MALFUNCTION, DO NOT DRIVE, BRAKE IS ACTIVATED. I WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY PUT IT BACK UP NEAR MY HOUSE IN THE PARKING PORTION OF THE DRIVEWAY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THE BRAKE HAS MALFUNCTIONED HOWEVER IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT IT HAS DONE IT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, NORMALLY I CAN TURN OFF THE CAR WAIT ABOUT 5 MINUTES OR SO AND THEN IT'LL STOP MALFUNCTIONING HOWEVER THIS TIME THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I COULD NOT GET THE BRAKE TO TURN OFF. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (STILL SHOWING A MALFUNCTION AFTER VEHICLE WAS OFF ALL DAY). AT THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL DAYS, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE INCIDENT AND THE CAR DOES NOT KEEP A LOG OF MALFUNCTIONS INTERNALLY SO THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE. I HAVE A LONG LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS, CAMERA SYSTEMS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC FAILURES GOING BACK THROUGH AUGUST 2018

Electrical System
Filed Mar 5, 2019IL

THE BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD 3 TIMES,, ONCE AT A STOP LIGHT WHILE DRIVING AND ONCE AFTER DRIVING 45 MINUTES, TURNING CAR OFF FOR GAS, THEN DEAD AT GAS STATION ... JUST DROVE TO DEALERSHIP TODAY AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE IN THE WAITING BAY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, JENNINGS VOLKSWAGEN HAD TO JUMP CAR TO MOVE IT ... WAS SITTING OFF FOR 5 MINUTES AFTER DRIVING FOR 1 HOUR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 4, 201921,000 milesAL

I PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE AUTO START/STOP ACTIVATED STOPPING THE ENGINE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND A WARNING POPPED UP STATING THE BATTERY WAS ALMOST DEAD AND I SHOULD DRIVE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. IT WAS A LITTLE TOO LATE FOR THAT! I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF WARNING PRIOR TO THE BATTERY DYING, AND WHY ON EARTH WOULD THE START/STOP ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STOP IF THE BATTERY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH JUICE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE?? I RECEIVED A LOT OF ANGRY HONKING FROM PEOPLE STUCK BEHIND ME IN THE INTERSECTION, BUT THANKFULLY A COP NEARBY SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND STOPPED ALL TRAFFIC TO ASSIST WITH PUSHING MY VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. MY CAR IS BARELY A YEAR OLD, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I WAS THREE MILES FROM A HUGE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND ON MY WAY TO CATCH A FLIGHT, BUT INSTEAD I HAD TO WAIT ON ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO COME HELP MY STRANDED VEHICLE.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 2, 201945,000 milesTX

WHEN RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG WOULD DISENGAGE AND ENGAGE AS THE PERSON MOVED IN THE SEAT WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR. MOVED THE SEAT BACK AND IT WENT OFF, DEALERSHIP MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. LAST HAPPENED THIS MORNING, STARTED AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF GRINDING, THEN WENT 12 MPH, SHUT DOWN, THEN STARTED FINE. HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 14 MONTHS THE BATTERY WENT DEAD, WHEN PUSHING THE START BUTTON IT WOULD CATCH AND CONTINUE TO TRY STARTING EVEN WHEN THE FINGER WAS REMOVED. WHEN IT STARTED EPC WOULD COME UP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE AT ABOUT 12 MPH. SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN AND START AGAIN, IT WOULD RUN OK. HAVE HAD IT INTO REPAIRS TWICE AND NOTHING IS FOUND, YET IT CONTINUES TO START OR NOT START AND RUN SLOW. WARNING COMES UP CHECK RUNNING LIGHT, CHECK RIGHT HEADLIGHT, CHECK LEFT HEADLIGHT. REPLACED THE BATTERY TWO MONTHS AGO, HAVE ALREADY HAD TO CHARGE BECAUSE IT HAS GONE DEAD. IT IS LIKE THE COMPUTER PANEL IS NOT TURNING OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN STOPPED - PARKED WHEN IT WILL NOT START, SOMETIMES FOR A FEW MINUTES SOME TIMES OVER NIGHT AFTER HAVING TO USE THE FOG LIGHTS. I HAVE ALL THE RECALLS FIXED, BUT THIS STARTED AFTER HAVING THOSE FIXED. MY BATTERY WAS REPLACED AFTER 45,000 MILES.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 28, 20199,500 milesWI

ON 11/20/2018 MY LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN TOWN & THEY TOPPED OFF THE COOLANT. THE TECH ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO MY REGISTERED DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. ON 11/21/2018 I TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP & STATED THE ISSUE AND NOTED THE WARNING LIGHT. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, FOUND THE FLUID WAS LOW (AGAIN ONLY 24 HOURS AFTER BEING TOPPED OFF). RAN A PRESSURE TEST & INSPECTED FOR LEAKS. THE TECH SAID THE FLUID WAS LOW & THEY DON'T KNOW WHY/WHERE. THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL ON A 1 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH < 10K MILES PURCHASED BRAND NEW. THIS IS A PRESSURIZED SYSTEM SO EITHER IT'S A BAD HEAD GASKET & THE SYSTEM WILL BURST, IT'S LEAKING & THEY DIDN'T LOOK VERY HARD, OR IT'S LEAKING INTO MY ENGINE CYLINDERS & MIXING WITH OIL WHICH WILL SEIZE THE VEHICLE. THIS COMPLAINT COMES IN ADDITION TO ANOTHER COMPLAINT I FILED WITH NHTSA WHERE MY VEHICLE DIED WHILE IN MOTION ON 02/10/2019. THIS ATLAS IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE & HAS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURE DEFECTS/POOR ENGINEERING.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 27, 201924,000 milesMD

BATTERY WENT DEAD WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS CAR DOES NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO GET NEW BATTERY. DEALER SAYS BATTERY PROBLEM

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 26, 201985 milesNY

THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE AND OBJECT DETECTION WERE NOT WORKING WHEN I PICKED UP THE NEW LEASE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER ON JUNE 19, 2018. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE A MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE CONSOLE THAT THE FRONT ASSIST IS "NOT AVAILABLE". AUTOMATIC BRAKING, COLLISION AVOIDANCE IS AFFECTED. ACC (ASSISTED CRUISE CONTROL) IS ALSO NOT OPERATIONAL WITHOUT THE FRONT ASSIST FUNCTIONING. THE DEALER HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE SEPARATE ATTEMPTS BY VW SERVICE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM IT STOPS WORKING WITHIN 1-5 DAYS. I HAVE TAKEN THE SUV IN FOR REPAIR FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 7/12/18, 7/24/18, 10/8/18, 2/12/19, 2/26/19.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 25, 201924,800 milesMI

MY ATLAS DIED IN THE DRIVE THRU WHILE RUNNING (STATIONARY BUT ABOUT TO MOVE WHEN IT DIED) WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 25,000 MILES AND HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED LESS THAN ONE MONTH PRIOR. WHEN IT DIED, THE CAR DASH WAS BLINKING DIFFERENT MESSAGES BUT ONE SAID, 'DRIVE TO CHARGE 12V'. I COULDN'T TURN THE ENGINE OVER; THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP; AND I WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVE THRU FOR ALMOST AN HOUR BEFORE SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO JUMP MY CAR TO GET IT TO THE DEALER. DEALER SAID THEY HAD CHANGED 4-5 BATTERIES OUT OF THE SAME TYPE OF CAR THAT WEEK. THAT WAS THREE WEEKS AGO. NO ETA ON WHEN A BATTERY WILL BE AVAILABLE. I WENT NEARLY 10 TEN DAYS WITHOUT A CAR AND NOW I HAVE A LOANER. NO INFORMATION ON CAUSE OF PROBLEM OR WHETHER A NEW BATTERY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR VW HAVE GIVEN ME ANY INFORMATION OR GUIDANCE ON WHETHER THE VEHICLE WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE AFTER BATTERY REPLACEMENT'I REPEATEDLY EXPLAINED THAT MY VEHICLE DIED WHILE RUNNING 'THANKFULLY NOT IN AN INTERSECTION OR RED LIGHT'BUT STILL NO INFORMATION ON THE ISSUE. I ALSO AM NOT GETTING ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHY IT COULD TAKE OVER A MONTH TO EVEN GET A BATTERY.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 25, 201916,000 milesWA

VEHICLE DOES NOT STAY IN ECO MODE. DIGITAL DISPLAY SHUTS DOWN RANDOMLY (RADIO DISPLAY) STRUT NOISE UNIDENTIFIED

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas → · Every Atlas year → · How the figures are calculated →