Complaint volume
456 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
456 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, grouped by component category.
456 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, service brakes. 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 135 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 20,040 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, service brakes?
- 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 110
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 36
SERVICE BRAKES 26
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 26
STEERING 21
ENGINE 19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES 12
POWER TRAIN 12
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8
456 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2022 | SEATS | Captain seat became unlatched when braking quickly, causing the 40lb child sitting in forward facing booster seat to slam head first into back of passenger seat. Seat was then difficult to re-set and lock back into proper position from driver's seat while pulling off highway to a safe location, resulting in child being trapped between captain seat and front passenger seat until vehicle was stopped. Latch appears to be working as expected and has not released unexpectedly otherwise. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield wiper failure for the 5th time after repairs at VW dealership. The wiper timing on the drivers side continues to fall out of sync. The wiper sensor does not detect wiper failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | Last Saturday, several warning lights appeared on the dashboard, including "ACC Not Available", "Error: Driver Door Contact Switch", and "Fault: Electronic Parking Brake". While in traffic I slowed to around 15 mph and the emergency brake activated, stopping the car abruptly. This same scenario of slowing and the emergency brake activating happened twice more while driving home. Vehicle was taken to the dealership who advised we were the 16th Atlas that has experienced these problems. We were told it would be 3-4 months before the parts to fix the vehicle were available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The driver door wiring harness started lowering windows randomly..it was replaced 3/1/22 and now it is bringing up two info driver door contact switch and electronic parking brake..online it is saying this is a safety issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | ENGINE | Coolant cap repeatedly came loose after 15,000 miles triggering low Coolant warning to come on. Appears to be a cap or reservoir issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE | In Jan 2022, the air bag system error light lit up at start-up and remained lit. A first-available dealer appointment was made for 1/28, two weeks away. During those two weeks, the car started to issue a burst of random alerts during cold startup - driver door contact switch failure, cruise control (ACC) failure, start/stop system failure, and the rear driver side window would roll down several inches. Shutting off and restarting the car solved these alerts. The car was inspected on Jan 28; the dealer confirmed a faulty wiring harness in the driver side door. They also confirmed the random alerts were the same cause. The dealer stated that the driver side air bag was nonfunctional, but the rest of the air bag system was OK. A replacement part was ordered with an estimated delivery of 2-3 weeks. As such, we chose to keep driving the car. Over the ensuing weeks, the random alert sequence got more frequent and started to show an electronic parking brake alert and engage the parking brake at startup. It then began happening on later starts when the car was fully warmed and would resume after the car was shut off and restarted. Finally, the alerts started to happen while moving, and instead of just a single burst, became a continuing sequence. The alerts are a rapid-fire volley of warning dings/dongs and accompanying messages in front of the driver. At the same time, the rear driver-side window is moving and the door contact switch is clicking randomly in the driver's left ear. It is a startling volley, which combined with the other weird sounds, is a disorienting and panic-inducing 360-degree assault on the senses. After no word from the dealer. I called on Mar 4 and was told the part was on a nationwide backorde, with no ETA. I did some research and found numerous reports of the problem getting worse over time and the parking brake engaging while moving. As our experience matches the trend, I feel the car is no longer safe and have parked it until it is repaired. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When the car is turned on the Adaptive cruise control is not available, the error code fault is "driver door contact switch", fault code "electronic parking brake" appears, the rear drivers side window rolls down about 6 inches, the car beeps and alerts "the engine is running". When at a complete stop, the beeping and alert with "the engine is running" appears and the parking brake appears to turn back on as well. My car had this issue in Feb 2021 and a part was replaced, but now the problem is back again. This has been confirmed by the dealership and VW customer care that is a very known issue with Atlas. Unfortunately electronical issues are a huge concern because everything is connected. This is the primary car for me and my children. I have huge concerns of safety with my children riding in the car when it has such serious electrical issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I currently lease a 2019 Atlas and have had multiple problems with the vehicle during my lease. The front-assist/collision or whatever it is that makes brakes slam has nearly caused accidents multiple times and makes it scary to drive the car. This happens even when there are no cars around and I am aware of the class action lawsuit investigation into these safety concerns. Additionally, the infotainment system has had several issues which are not resolved despite bringing it in for service multiple times. It shuts off suddenly, the ApplePlay has numerous problems. I have brought it to the dealer multiple times and they do nothing despite it being a known safety issue with Atlas. In the additional details section, I am not choosing a date because it has happened so many times. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My AES has been acting up. It has braked unnecessarily when nothing was in front of me worth braking for. I see this is an ongoing issue with VW Atlas. Mine is a 2019 (purchased used Nov 2021). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | AIR BAGS | When I returned to my parked car at the grocery store on Tuesday Jan 4th at 10:51am, the curtain and passenger side airbags had deployed. There was no impact or crash observed. The VW service department and USAA diagnostic download had reported an impact to the rear axel on Monday Jan 3rd at 8:51pm. Their sensors show that the airbags deployed at 8:51pm Monday. Not only was there no impact or crash, but the airbags in fact deployed while the car was parked the following day. Monday evening I was driving with 3 others (two children) in the car. There was ice and snow on the road, but no impact or no airbag deployment. The faulty sensor could cause the airbags to be delayed in a serious crash, or deploy for no reason. There is a serious mechanical issue with this car. Volkswagen has reviewed the download and feels that the diagnosis from the download is correct and there is no further investigation required | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | On Jan. 12th 2022 my wife and I were riding in our 2019 Volks Wagon Atlas in route to a doctors appointment and was slowing for a red light when a warning sounded the drivers side back door window lowered, multiple warning light came on and the most dangerous part was the electric e brake activated causing the vehicle to come to an immediate stop. We were lucky there wasn't any traffic behind us. The vehicle was taken to the Volks Wagon of Reading Pennsylvania, and the service tech stated the vehicle was not safe to drive, and that that they have multiple vehicles with the same problem. We were further informed that the drivers door wiring harness failed and the part is backed ordered. I have been to the volks wagon atlas message board and found this problem is through out the United States if not world wide. Most of the complaints are how scared everyone was when the car stopped in traffic without warning. Volks Wagon is aware of this problem but have not taken the initiative to inform Atlas owners that this problem exist. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 9/2019Just purchased and driving home from dealership, approximately 4 miles driven, stopped at traffic light. Light turned green. Car started going forward and then engine turned off completely. Sudden stop. Car was in drive, no warning lights, just the auto wasn’t operating. Stuck in traffic. Moved shift lever to Park tried restarting. Car would not start. After numerous attempts car started. Immediately drove back to dealership. Told no codes displayed. Nothing to worry about. Salesman said they tightened battery cables. 1/2020Stopped in stop/go traffic on interstate. Auto on/off disengaged. While starting to move forward car stopped completely and parking brake engaged stopping the car suddenly. Car turned off. All lights on dash lit, then went off. Took numerous attempts to restart. Electrical smell present 2/2020Auto stop was was turned off. Stopped at elevated train crossing by lowered gates and passing train. Foot on brake whole time. After train passed accelerated but car was not running. Car actually started rolling backwards when foot taken off brake.No dash lights or warning of any kind. Had to put car into park. This time it re-started without any hesitation. Acrid electrical smell was noticed. Brought to dealer and no codes. 7/2020Backing automobile out of garage. About 10 feet into backing procedure car turned off and parking brake engaged. Had to shift back to park, turn off parking brake. Restart car. Took a few attempts to restart. 3/2021Was stopped at same elevated train crossing as prior event. Same issue. 4 more events january 2022. Dealer says not problem found | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The windshield wipers stop functioning after cold freezing snow and rain. I have had the wipers repaired 4 times, but the issues continue to happen. The wipers fall out of timing, the wiper motor fails, and the fastening design strips out preventing the wiper to correct itself. The most serious failure happened while driving on the highway. The vehicle is under warranty and has been serviced 4 times. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | AIR BAGS | My car had an airbag alert show up on Thursday, January 27th. It said Error: Airbag. I contacted the dealership was able to get my car into Glenwood Springs Volkswagen service center on Friday, January 28th. At 4:30 pm I was told there was an issue with the airbag system. According to the Volkswagen employee, this is a known issue and they are surprised Volkswagen has not opened a recall. The service report states: Connected scan tool and found fault B101715 crash sensor for side air bag, drivers side open circuit/short circuit to B+ (passive). They recommended to replace drivers door harness. I was informed the necessary replacement parts were back ordered and would not be replaced for at least 1 month. I believe the earliest date to expect the fix is March 5th. The local service center has 2 loaner cars that are currently loaned out due to this issue. They cannot provide me a loaner car. I called VW care and they are unable to escalate this issue until Thursday, February 3rd. They informed me it was not an active recall and not part of my warranty for them to have to provide me a safe car to drive. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | TIRES | 255/50 R20 105 KUMHO 7 CRUGEN PREMIU 23186 MILES FRONT TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. CAR ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES. IT CAUSES CAR TO LOSE TRACTION AND SKID. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The Panoramic sunroof continues to leak water. This is a safety risk by water obstructing the driver's vision. Also, the water mixing with electrical wires in the A frame, driver-side electronics, and leaking on and through the center dash area is a major concern. The vehicle has been serviced twice within the same month and has not been fixed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | This is a safety issue where this can be dangerous for drivers like myself and their families life, and others life at risk. This reporting is to prevent and avert future accidents. Headlights brightness in 2019-2020 Atlas Se with Tec is very poor. Due to dull brightness (Low Beam) night driving is very exhaustive and need to very extreme alert state. This causes strain eyes and causes fatigue during long drive. Lights are so dull when an oncoming very old cars with halogens lights passes by, led lights in Atlas fades away from road. Usually leds lights are suppose to have more brightness and good lumen rating. When it is raining and after road is wet one cannot properly see lights on the road. One time narrowly escaped (thanks to extreme cautious) from hitting a pedestrian who was walking in a pitched dark road(right side) at night. Right side illumination was dim that is why couldn't see the person from a distance. In 2021 Atlas, VW made such a brightness improvements that it projects some glare for oncoming traffic. For reference youtube video link is attached. Video at 0:12 - 0:39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ-Ml5BRvgA To validate my finding I have attached two links from reputable source who inspected headlights: IIHS.ORG (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). In their findings 2019 Atlas Se with Tec has poor rating whereas 2021 Atlas Se with Tec has Medium rating. 1. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Volkswagen/atlas-4-door-suv/2019 2. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Volkswagen/atlas-4-door-suv/2021 Below I have attached few links from 2019-2020 Atlas competitors who were also analyzed by IIHS>ORG. They all received acceptable and good ratings: 1. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Hyundai/palisade-4-door-suv/2020 2. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Mazda/cx-9-4-door-suv/2019 3. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Toyota/highlander-4-door-suv/2019 4. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Honda/pilot-4-door-suv/2019 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | On 5 Dec 20212, at approximately 1:30 while driving to the Fairfield Inn & Suites, 1707 69th Street, North Bergen, New Jersey 07047, we turned onto 69th street but missed the right turn to the hotel, so I went up the hill and made a U-turn back and the accelerator got stuck somehow and the brake pedal did not work. We were going down the hill extremely fast pumping the brakes with no luck. Rather than hit the car waiting for the Red Light I turned my car toward a power pole, and crashed extremely hard. My wife and I were both transported by ambulance to the Hackensack University Medical Center. My wife has to have spinal neck repair surgery, is still in the hospital with no sensation in her arms & fingers and is being sent to Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation for 5 weeks of Rehabilitation, with a prognosis of up to two years to fully recover. I suffered whiplash, bruising, tissue damage and in severe pain in my neck, back and stomach. The vehicle was towed and is in the Tominos Towing lot at 5419 Tonnelle Ave. Telephone 201-223-0235, and the accident police report is at the police dept. at 4233 Kennedy Blvd. Case#21-116842. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When we travel to see family in NH there is a set of train tracks that we need to drive over. In three separate instances when we drove over the tracks, the vehicle suddenly breaks for no reason and the front assist forward collision warning light comes on. It is very scary and unexpected and if a car were close behind us, it could definitely cause an accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My car often will apply automatic braking system when no one or thing is in front of me. Luckily I have not been rear ended yet but it is very startling. Going down steep hills the emergency brake will turn on automatically. Happened the first week I owned the car and I had no idea what was going on. These systems are way to inaccurate to be safe. They are a hazard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | While driving vehicle with my baby with me in heavy traffic area engine completely died when I came to a red light. Cars expected me to proceed on green light. No steering, no brakes, rear sensors went off and warning said Low 12V Battery. Tried to restart it to no avail. Engine would just click. 3 men had to put their hazards on and started pushing the VW Atlas to the nearest parking lot a ways off endangering the lives of these 3 men their vehicles and my baby and my own life. Took vehicle to get Battery and alternator tested, but all was “Perfectly fine”. I will not wait for a fatality in my family to happen. VW should recall or do something day IMMEDIATELY. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the electronic power control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. In addition, there was a fuel odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the top fuel rail assembly was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the bottom fuel rail assembly was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 26,000 |
| Oct 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Hello, I am the current owner of a 2019 VW Atlas with less than 13500 miles. In September 25, the Front-Assist Technology alert icon turned on the dashboard all of a sudden without any cause to my knowledge. After attempting to uncheck and deactivate the option from the settings, it still does not save this option and the icon remains on as well as checked in the option selection. I am concerned this sensor malfunction will cause a sudden unnecessary brake while driving and put me and my family at risk for an accident. The alert was reported to the VW dealership on October 7, 2021 where I purchased the vehicle. Their assessment, findings and recommendations are to perform a wheel alignment and ACC recalibration since this sensor failure is not under “warranty “ and is at cost to the owner which is over $350. Copy of service department description available to share. Cost not included in the description since I declined the services at this time to allow for additional research on this issue. The cost is not an issue and willing to pay if necessary but truly believe this issue should be escalated due to the high number of reported cases related to the Front-Assist sensor malfunction and the manufacturer not acknowledging this is a system failure rather than weather or road conditions induced. I appreciate any additional assistance in this matter. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | ENGINE | While at stop light or stopped for another reason (i.e. stop sign, turning, etc.) engine shuts off (Auto on/off is always disabled), alert on dashboard says “Please Start Engine Manually”. Cars behind me have come within inches of slamming into me due to sudden engine shut off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | TIRES | Tire sidewall separating causing an immediate flat tire while traveling in the fast lane at 70mph on the freeway. This put me and other vehicles at risk as it was with no warning, just immediately a flat tire. Dealer was called and seems uninterested in seeing the tire as it was not apart of the most recent recall regarding this same issue with Continental tires. Continental tire manufacturer also seems uninterested in helping as the tire was replaced by a different brand as that was the only option on Labor Day so I could return home due to being 400 miles from home at the time of the incident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |