Complaint volume
465 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2019 Volkswagen Atlas Complaints
465 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, grouped by component category.
465 Total complaints
7 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
9 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are air bags, forward collision avoidance, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 7 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 9 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 137 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 20,914 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to air bags, forward collision avoidance, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2019 Volkswagen Atlas
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas complaints?
7 Crash
0 Fire
9 Injury
0 Fatality
7 Towed
4 Medical attention
What are the most common 2019 Volkswagen Atlas complaint categories?
AIR BAGS 111
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 36
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 28
SERVICE BRAKES 26
STEERING 21
ENGINE 19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES 12
POWER TRAIN 12
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8
465 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | I originally had this "wiring harness" repaired on 4/22/21 because the car went wacky. This repair was done at Hendrick VW in Concord NC. In March 2022 I began to have issues again. I was on the way to the same dealer to have the oil changed and the vehicle randomly just slammed on brakes while driving. I informed Olga at the dealership and was told it was the wiring harness again. They had no clue when the harness would be in because it was backordered. May 11, 2022 while driving at approximately 40 miles per hour on a BUSY major road, my vehicle engaged the emergency brake and suddenly stopped. Multiple people slammed on brakes and swerved to avoid hitting me almost killing me. i took it to the same dealer and informed them it almost killed me, they were real quick to replace the harness again (although there was none in stock anywhere) and got me and out of the shop. i opened a case with volkswagen who told me they werent going to do anything about it because it hasnt been repaired 3 times and it wasnt in the shop 10 days, although i told them as well the car almost killed me. they are refusing to do anything and i dont feel safe in my car but have no choice | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My 2019 Atlas is showing many of the same symptoms of the current Atlas recall, but it isn’t listed on the site. My airbag light is flashing, the adaptive cruise control states that it isn’t available, and many other electrical systems have been failing. The problem began today. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The vehicle engaged the parking brake when there was nothing in front of me. This happened twice in one day. I currently have it at the VW dealership. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | I was sitting at a stoplight when the vehicles in front of me started moving forward. I took my foot off the break so that I could roll forward slowly and my emergency brake engaged without me pushing the emergency brake button. At first I thought I had been hit from behind because I was jolted forward but when I looked at my dash the red PARK light was lit. And then turned off on its own. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES | 1. I was driving towards a stop sign at about 15-20mph(school zone) and all of a sudden the vehicle slammed its brakes and shut off. The dashboards’ lights were all on. Vehicle motor was no longer on. I had cars behind me and my children in the car, so I had to quickly put the car back in Park and turn the car back on via push start. I know there has been a recall out for this door harness issue, however my vin is not showing to be part of it. As I believe it should. 2. The Airbag Error is also intermittently been popping up on the dashboard. I have had these checked out at Findlay Volkswagen however they couldn’t reproduce the problem. There were no warning lamps that popped up before the problems occurred. I am the main transport for my children, and I can not risk any problems with them in the vehicle. These need to be in recalls! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the sunroof glass detached from the sunroof frame. the contact pulled over to the side roadway before driving to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 25,000 |
| Apr 2022 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | I bought the car new 2 years ago and the issues began around 11k miles and have continued every several months to it is current 45k mileage. On 4 occasions my car has powered down while driving speeds approximately 60mph and began shaking with the EPC and check engine light becoming illuminated. Of those occasions, 3 of which I was able to get the car to the side of the road and restart it to get to a servicer. 1 of those times I had to have to towed. On the fifth occasion the car began shaking and worsened with accelaration with both the check engine and epc light on. The dealer has only changed a coil to date. Other occasions they repaired recalls in hopes of stopping. Several times I have been told it was a misfire and they could not pinpoint the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | AIR BAGS | Airbag error came on 4/22/22. I looked up issue and noticed a recall for 2020 and 2021 models and a secondary recall that will be issued in May 2022 that is for 2019++models. I called VW Lee's Summit to have the recall issue(s) addressed and due to my VIN not being apart of a recall YET, and being over the mileage warranty, the dealership told me that I would have to pay a diagnostic and repair fee associated with the problem. I called VW Customer Care and the representative (Case No. 05192733) was very helpful, however had her hands tied to help me because I'm in a position of in-between recall notices and over mileage. This issue with the airbag is critical and I had hoped the dealership would have me come in, fix the issue and escalate to VW Corporate for reimbursement of costs. Desired solution would be adding my VIN to recall list and immediately having service. If the addition to the list is such that it is not expeditious, the safety concern should immediately be addressed and the dealership should seek reimbursement/payment from VW. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Front passenger side tire on vehicle ruptured after the driver struck a rock in the road during the morning commute. Driver stopped vehicle and changed damaged tire using the provided spare tire. The spare tire provided with the vehicle by Volkswagen is not a full-sized spare. Upon continuing the commute, the car began to malfunction. The electronic stability control featured engaged, braking the car to almost a stop. Driver was unable to accelerate. Each time acceleration was attempted the electronic stability control would engage causing the car to come to almost a complete stop. The tire air pressure sensors were also malfunctioning with the spare. In order to get the car safely to the destination, the driver had to manually turn off the electronic stability control feature and reset the air pressure sensors. This practice had to be completed each time the car was started. However, the driver discontinued using the car until the tire could be replaced. Once the tire was replaced, the car systems went back to driving normally. Volkswagen should recall these cars and provide a full-size spare tire as the VW Atlas is basically nonoperational on the small spare tire provided. It puts the driver of the vehicle in a very unsafe situation., | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Military Combat Retired Veteran, purchased CPO 2019 Atlas from VW dealer. Claim filed with VW Customer care. Numerous issues with Steering Rack, and excessive vibrations at normal speeds. Vehicle has never sounded or handled like would be expected. First alignment and 4 wheel balance 1 month after purchase - 2 months later, steering rack replaced. 5 months and 5500 miles after rack replaced, brakes and tires worn 50% post-steering rack replacement. Dealer state 'steering rack retorqued', and ware on tires and brakes due to 'underinflation'. When asked what psi was on the tires, dealer did not take a readings. Tire ware does not indicate 'underinflation', or misalignment. Indicates issues with toe or camber - presumably from when steering rack was replaced. Dealer resolution was to replaced tires, brakes, and rotors at a cost of over $2000 - all of this without knowing exactly what is causing the excessive ware... each time, dealer indicates that "underinflation" or "alignment" issue - of which tire tread ware does not align with cause. Dealer still 'unsure' of what has caused issues, but 'is confident that it is good now'. At this point, without knowing the 'why' something is happening, and with dealer unable to determine root cause of problems, do not feel safe with my family in this vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while using the key fob, the doors would not unlock and the contact was unable to open the doors. After manually opening the front driver’s side door, no other door could be unlocked and opened from inside the vehicle. In addition, both the front driver’s side and passenger’s side floor carpets were wet from the air conditioning condensation and moisture coming from under the front dash panel. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 40,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 40,000 |
| Apr 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving the car about 30 mph when it abruptly came to a screeching halt. All warning lights on the dashboard lit up. There was no other cars in front of me or behind me. This could have caused a rear end collision had there been a car behind me. The engine did not die but the brake came off and I was able to start driving again. This threw me forward and I almost hit my chest against the steering wheel. I have taken the car to the Ken Garff VW dealership in Orem, UT. They said this is a known problem by VW corporate, but the do not have a fix because it is a faulty cable harness manufactured in Ukraine. They also said I was not eligible for a fix because they can not make it recreate the problem. They suggested that I call VW corporate which I did. VW corporate called me back and said they would get back to me in 4 business days. I told them this was unacceptable. When called back the next day they informed me that Ken Garff VW had not been able to recreate the problem and could not find the error in the computer system so it must not have happened. This is a known problem and VW is refusing responsibility and said there is nothing they can do about it. I asked if they would buy the car at fair market value and they said that would be at the discretion of the dealer. I am scared to drive this vehicle with my kids in the car and I fear for anyone else driving or following behind a VW Atlas. This is an accident and possible death waiting to happen. I have shared the same fears with VW and they told me according to the computer it never happened. The lack of responsibility is disappointing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | We were driving down the road on a normal sunny day when the sunroof decided to spontaneously combust out of no where with no warning. There was not anything that hit the sunroof or would have caused the glass to shatter. All we heard was a loud pop like a bomb going off in our vehicle and we looked to the back seat to check our 2 year old daughter to find that she had glass all over her and the sunroof had perfectly shattered everywhere. Luckily my husband could think past the initial shock and close the fabric cover over the sunroof so that we wouldn’t have more glass fall on our 2 year old. There is glass all over the vehicle in tiny fragments and I had to get the glass off my 2 year old and her car seat and have my in laws pick me and my daughter up because the vehicle is not safe to drive in this state. We tried contact the dealership we purchased the vehicle from as well as customer care and road side assistance with no luck whatsoever. The dealership just kept sending us to voicemail when asking for someone to help us figure out what to do and how to have the problem fixed and we didn’t get any calls back from the voicemails. Since then my husband has tried to talk to the dealership and The vehicles customer care line with no luck when all we want is to figure out what to do now and how to get the problem fixed. This issue has happened to other people after researching online and there has been lawsuits for it already. We just want the issue fixed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES | My car is showing an airbag error sign off an on and the emergency brake came on during a right turn and nearly caused an accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Purchased car from VW on 04/24/21. Noticed an issue the car breaking on its own at low speeds less then 5mph and then completely shutting off, about a month into owning it. 08/19/21 car was taken in for service to fix the automatic breaking issue/shutting off. Car was returned to me about a week later stating the "problem" was fixed. In December 2021, I started noticing the problem again, as this point I assume since the "problem" was fixed maybe this was just how the car was. Finally in March of 2022 while driving at a speed of about 30MPH the car started breaking on its own and completed shut off in the middle of driving! At that point it called my local VW and told them they need to take the Car in ASAP to have it looked at the fix this problem once and for all, as of now this is a MAJOR safety issue. Myself and my children could have been seriously injured from this incident!! After my local VW having the car for a few hours they called and said the issue was the newest recall with the door wiring harness and they will have my car for the "unforeseeable" future due to no repair in place at this time. Even if they claim to have "fixed" this issue again, I will never trust them as they claimed to have fixed it a previous time and they clearly DID NOT!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | Vehicle is completely shutting down while in drive. Occurring during acceleration and deceleration. No warning given before car shuts down. Just immediately stops in road. I had to restart car and avoid traffic. Dealership has been notified. Service department has stated there is a solution but no availability of parts. Suggested appointment for service to inspect vehicle and to put order in for recall part. Will inspect car but says the vehicle issues seem related to the recall. Unable to provide loaner cars and unable to provide date that part will be available. Service department does not have date of when part will be available, anticipates one to two months. Dealership has been notified. Service department has stated that car should be safe to drive even with no remedy for recall at this time. Owner told its kind of just a faith thing right now and it should be okay to drive. False warning sensors illuminating when vehicle is being driven. Forward collision warning lighting up while driving but no vehicles or objects in front of vehicle. Dealership has been notified. Service department indicates it may be related to the recall. Driver side window hesitating to roll up and down. Window has moved without the driver pushing window button. Intermittent parking break sensors go off and emergency break automatically stops car. Message appearing that there is rear traffic. Occurs when no other vehicle, persons, and or objects are in the vehicle's rear area. When reversing I physically am using the vehicles mirrors and my own vision before making any attempt to reverse. This false alarm and sudden emergency break initiated by the car causes a major safety concern for the driver , passenger, as well as the safety of everyone in the area of the vehicle. Warning for Airbag error appears randomly and then dissapears. This is a major saftely concern for the driver and family. First recall for Front Stabilizer Coupling Rod completed 12/22/2021. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | There have been two incidents where my wife was driving our Atlas and the automatic braking engaged for no reason as if it were trying to avoid a collision. I am upset that my VIN number was not included the the latest recall as this has happened twice to us, luckily with no cars behind to rear end us! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | PARKING BRAKE,VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver's and front passenger’s side window failed to operate as needed. The contact also stated that the parking brake failed to operate as designed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was not able to assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 20,000 |
| Mar 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I originally filed a complaint regarding my vehicle wiring harness issue which has been recalled recently. It is stated "no fix is available" at this time. My Atlas has been at the dealer for 57 days as of today. SMITH VW let me know that they have received a wiring harness to replace in my vehicle.... but WHY if the recall specifically states " NO FIX is available". Is another defective wiring harness being installed as a short term remedy?I told VW corporate I was contacting an attorney for assistance on Tuesday AM, 24 hours later the part magically became available to install in my 2019 Atlas?? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I had a routine oil change, the Manager asked me if I had been having any issues because an error code showed up in the inspection. I said I hadn't, so he said it must have been nothing. I drove across town, when all of the sudden alarms and warning messages started going off in my car (pictures attached). Additionally, my car unexpectedly had the emergency brake come on while I was driving through the parking lot. It was a frightening experience and I felt that the dealership let me leave in an unsafe car. They assured me it was nothing they had done, just a coincidence that it happened during the oil change. They kept my car and gave me a loaner while it was being fixed. I am now wondering if I have to go to back and have it fixed on the passenger side. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | Windows roll down by themselves. Parking brake applies itself without warning. Multiple warning lights saying parking brake error, start stop error, hill assist error, window sensor code, and constant dinging. Hill assist will come on even when not on a hill jarring you at higher speeds. Airbags deployed late during no fault Accident. The flaws in the vehicle didn’t cause the car accident, yet it wasn’t protecting me as it should have, but could very well cause an accident with the abrupt stopping, for no reason. I do have videos of the caution codes, it wouldn’t let me up load them so I took pictures of the videos. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | The steering wheel shakes uncontrollably when braking going past 50mph. Took it in to VW dealership several times and they didn’t know the cause of the shaking. They said the rotors and the brakes were still good. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | POWER TRAIN | Since the purchase of this vehicle in 2019 I have complained that it was not shifting gears properly and upon first acceleration the Atlas would feel jumpy or hesitate. When slowing down even at 5 or 10 mph the vehicle would stay in 3rd gear. In June 2020 I had it documented, VW tech tested vehicle and stated performing to manufacturer's specs. It stayed like this and I took to another dealer in April 2021, Nov 2021, & Dec 2021 & was told transmission fine, then it began making a loud noise at 60 mph, car would softly shake or vibrate & took back to dealer in Feb 2022 and it was found that the transmission was faulty. Big chunks of metal scrap were found in pan by dealer tech. VW advised dealer to change out transmission & cooler for a new one. Vehicle was returned to me with new transmission & cooler. I have since noticed that it continues to jump or hesitate at first acceleration and I am afraid that I will continue to have the issue and my vehicle will no longer be under warranty in a few thousand miles. NO WARNING lights or messages ever appeared so to them it was fine until the sound was undeniable and big chunks of metal were found. This is unsafe for anyone to drive around with a faulty transmission. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Windows- The drivers side window and back passenger windows rolled down while I was driving down the highway. I was going approximately 75MPH at the time. This happened on 2 separate occasions. My vehicle has braked extremely hard on numerous occasions. Two of those times I was traveling on Interstate 40 going at approx 65MPH. I have had taken my vehicle in for a "software update" on my cruise control and on my air bags. The unlock feature doesn't always work. This vehicle seems to have a lot of electrical issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |