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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Sep 2021 | ENGINE | The stop start system is faulty. I was at a stop sign and when I tried to go “start engine manually” pops up on the screen. I had to put the car in park at a busy intersection and restart the car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | STEERING | Vehicle is on its 3rd steering rack in 6 months. The vehicle steering gets sloppy and pops when when going bad. Volkswagen refuses to issue a recall or take the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 13,000 |
| Jul 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The front assist system keeps stopping my car at random times. I had told Volkswagen where I bought the car about it and they did nothing. I assuming because they have seen it for themselves. It happened on the highway, on a bridge and going up a hill. No cars were in front of and thankfully no cars were behind as I was going 50-55 mph on the highway. The warning light came on that I was getting too close to a car but there were no cars near me then all of of a sudden the car suddenly stops. It’s very dangerous. I am going to take the vehicle back to the dealer ship again and see what they say. The car also stalls when I back up. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | TIRES | VW Atlas with 17000 miles Front passenger tire 255/50R20. Car started shaking and pulling to right while traveling on interstate with low tire pressure warning going off. Put all passengers and cars around us at risk. Pulled off interstate to inspect and tread appeared widened and bead seemed to be dislodging from rim. Replaced with spare tire and took car to dealer we purchased from they inspected and informed our vin number is not on recall list and told us we would have to sign a wavier to take the car in its unsafe condition. This recall needs to be expanded immediately. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The vehicle will sound the collision warning sound for no reason when no other vehicles are around. When slowly coming up to a red light with one car in front, after coming to a complete stop the vehicle beeped once and engaged the brakes. The second time this happened the vehicle was driving slowly in a school parking lot. There were cars all around but the sensors were beeping the whole time. When trying to drive forward the vehicle slammed the brakes on. Today the vehicle was stopped at an intersection, the rear camera came on, the beeping came on. The vehicle had to be shifted into park to stop the beeping and then put back into drive. This is a serious safety issue and should be a recall! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES | INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN I GOT TO APPLY THE BRAKES MOVING FORWARD OR TURNING, THE VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE GRINDING OR RUBBING IN THE FRONT AXLE | Crash: No Fire: No | 43,330 |
| Apr 2021 | ENGINE | PURCHASED MY CAR IN MAY OF 2019 IN JAN/FEB WHILE DRIVING COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON ' VERIFIED COOLANT WAS LOW ONCE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COOL DOWN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT EVAPORATED AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG FAST FORWARD TO APRIL OF 2021 COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE HAD ROUGHLY 11,500 MILES. COOLANT WAS AGAIN LOW BUT THE LIGHT CAME OFF BY ITSELF. TOOK IT ONE DEALER SAID IT PROBABLY EVAPORATED AND THEY REFILLED IT, TAKING IT TO ANOTHER BUT THEY ALREADY INDICATED IT IS PROBABLY JUST EVAPORATING. IT IS A CLOSED SYSTEM IT IS EVAPORATING BUT WHERE ... TRIED TO EXPLAIN THIS TO THEM THEY TOLD ME NOT TO BELIEVE MANY OTHER ONLINE FORUMS AND THAT MY CAR IS PROBABLY FINE. EXCEPT IT IS NOT FINE IT IS BRAND NEW CAR LEAKING COOLANT .... | Crash: No Fire: No | 11,500 |
| Apr 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | THE REAR WINDOW ROLLS DOWN BY ITSELF WITH NOBODY TOUCHING ANY OF THE BUTTONS. THE LIGHT POPS UP ON THE DASH AND SAYS FAULTY ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THE EMERGENCY BREAK APPLIES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE AS THE VEHICLE JUST STOPS WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE IN MOTION ON THE STREET AND ON THE HIGHWAY OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES | Crash: No Fire: No | 7,400 |
| Mar 2021 | WHEELS,LANE DEPARTURE | WAS TRAVELING ON EXPRESSWAY WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW. UPON PULLING OFF THE ROAD I SAW THAT THE WHOLE TIRE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL AND WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS DETERMINED THE BLOW OUT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE STRUT, EMISSIONS, AND WHEEL LINING. WHEN I GOT HOME I RESEARCHED MY TIRES WHICH ARE CONTINENTAL CROSS CONTACT SPORT LX IN SIZE 225/50/20 AND FOUND THAT THEY HAVE A LONG LIST OF RECALLS ON THIS MODEL OF TIRE. I CALLED CONTINENTAL AND PROVIDED THE DOT NUMBER AND MOLD NUMBER BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH WHAT HAPPENED TO MY TIRE IS WHAT THE RECALL STATES CAN HAPPEN. I INFORMED THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT I BELIEVE MY TIRE(S) IS ONE OF THE AFFECTED TIRES AS THIS LIST IS ON GOING. I ENDED UP FILING A PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIM WITH CONTINENTAL AS I FEEL THEY ARE LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 12,000 |
| Jan 2021 | ENGINE | AT 8,860 MILES COOLANT LEVEL WARNING APPEARED WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. I BELIEVE WE ARE EXPERIENCING A COOLANT LEAK ISSUE. RECOMMENDED COOLANT WAS ADDED TO PROPER LEVEL AND AFTER 1,000 MILES THE LEVEL IS NOTICEABLY LOW AGAIN. THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE PRESSURE TESTED TO FIND THE LEAK AND REPAIR HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP, OR LEAKY HOSE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 8,860 |
| Jan 2021 | ENGINE | COOLANT LOOSES 8OZ OF FLUID EVERY 2 MONTHS, DEALER SAYS IT "JUST EVAPORATES" IT ONLY HAS 12017 MILES ON IT. JUST SEARCH ALL THE FORUMS TO SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2021 | AIR BAGS | PURCHASED A 2019 ATLAS SE4MOTION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. THE SUV HAD 40000 MILES ON IT. THIS WAS ON A SATURDAY 12.19. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER ON 12.21, VW SAID IT WAS A MODULAR PROBLEM. CAR WAS FIXED A WEEK LATER BUT THAN AIR BAGS ACTIVATED. THE CAR WAS FIXED AGAIN , PROBLEM WAS WATER BUILT UP IN CONTROL MODULE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS TWISTED TUBE. NEED NEW MODULAR AND A/C DRAIN. THIS WAS DONE AND I PICKED UP CAR AND AIR BAG LIGHT WENTO OFF AGAIN. CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. THIS SEEMS SIMILAR TO 2018 ISSUES WITH AIRBAG. I HAVE NOTIFIED VW CORPORATE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |
| Jan 2021 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS | VEHICLE HAS 11K MILES. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO REPAIR A TIRE WITH A NAIL. MY ALIGNMENT WAS OFF (I THOUGHT I WAS FEELING A SHAKE ANYWAY). HAD THE ALIGNMENT FIXED BUT A WEEK LATER (FIRST TIME ON THE HIGHWAY) MY VEHICLE IS SHAKING FAR TOO MUCH TO BE THE ROAD. ALL TIRES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AS THEY WERE CHECKED DURING THE ALIGNMENT. SHAKING DOES NOT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING UNDER 45 MPH. | Crash: No Fire: No | 11,000 |
| Jan 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THE REAR WINDOW ROLLS DOWN BY ITSELF WITH NOBODY TOUCHING ANY OF THE BUTTONS. THE LIGHT POPS UP ON THE DASH AND SAYS FAULTY ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, IN THE CITY. THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ATTEMPT TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A DRIVE/MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALMOST AS IF THE EMERGENCY BREAK HAS BEEN PULLED, ONLY NOBODY HAS TOUCHED IT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT DOES COME ON. AGAIN, IN MOTION, ON THE HIGHWAY (HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES). NOW, THE REMOTE START DOES NOT WORK. | Crash: No Fire: No | 10,555 |
| Jan 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 6,000 |