10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,612 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

Oct 152022

Atlas

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the "check air bag" warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the power windows failed to function while the "check air bag" warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the parking brake would engage independently at low speeds under 5 MPH. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the wiring harness on the driver's side needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the wiring harness failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V152000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Cheshire, CT, USA

problem #20

May 012022

Atlas 6-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V152000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to experience issues and has since been traded in.

- Crescent Springs, KY, USA

problem #19

Sep 272022

Atlas

  • miles
Error Airbag keeps coming on and dealership cant find issue and cant replicate problem but it happens every time we get in car and are driving. This is very dangerous if we get in a accident and airbags dont deploy. Also There has been some weird electrical issues with vehicle that cause lights to flicker and turn on and off inside car dash. Dealership cant figure it out due to not replicating issue. Last issue is with brakes. Something in the electrical system is causing brakes to fully engage slamming us into the dash board and windshield. Has happened 3 times since owing vehicle. Dealership again said they cant replicate issue. This is getting to be the worse car we have purchased. First time owning a Volkswagen and probably the last time.

- Shorewood, IL, USA

problem #18

Sep 042022

Atlas

  • miles
Without warning the airbag error light has come

- Eleanor , WV, USA

problem #17

Sep 032022

Atlas

  • miles
1. The SUV battery will die at any given time. I've replaced it twice already 2. The care will give the all red notification that you're about to get in an accident, the car will then break fast then turn off

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #16

Aug 222019

Atlas

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the windows would engage independently and roll down. The contact was unable to roll the windows up. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V152000 (Air Bags) and the VIN was included. The dealer replaced the doors control module and the front door wiring harness; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated while driving with or without cruise control activated, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system would engage inadvertently. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with the Adaptive Cruise Control activated, the vehicle stopped independently. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and resumed normal driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V152000 (Air Bags); however, the remedy repair failed to fix the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

- Willard, NC, USA

problem #15

Apr 012022

Atlas 6-cyl

  • miles
THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 MONTHS AGO. I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW AIRBAG BUT I NEED TO WAIT BECAUSE THEY DIDNT HAVE ANY IN STOCK. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD TAKE MORE THEN 1 MONTH TO GET THE AIR BAG. I TOLD THEM IF I COULD LEAVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS FIXED BECAUSE I DIDNT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT HAD THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON ON MY DASHBOARD AND NEED A NEW AIRBAG. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY VEHICLE AVAILABLE TO LEND ME ONE AND THAT IT WASNT UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE EVEN IF IT NEED A NEW AIR BAG AND WITH THE DASH BOARD LIGHT ON SAYING AIR BAG NEED SERVICE. I WANT TO KNOW IF I CAN REQUEST THE DEALER TO LEND ME A VEHICLE AND LEAVE MINE WITH THEM UNTIL ITS FIXED? CONTACT INFORMATION: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #14

Mar 012022

Atlas

  • miles
The front passenger air bag light comes on indicating the air bag is off even when someone is sitting in that seat. An error light showes a warning on the dashboard when the deactivated air bag light is on but it will go off eventually for a while. I called VW directly & they said to "Google" it! We took it to a dealer & they couldn't offer an explanation only suggesting I check for a recall. My concern is that any passengers are not protected. I believe there is an issue with this vehicle.

- Jackson, WI, USA

problem #13

May 102022

Atlas

  • miles
Thos vehicle has opened the rear hatch on two separate occasions, which was confirmed as an issue by both the local dealer, McLarty Volkswagen in North Little Rock, and Volkswagen Corporate. The airbag light is constantly on, and the parking brake may engage randomly. Volkswagen Corporate told us to "drive it as long as you feel comfortable with it, or just park it, but there isn't a plan and new parts can take 4-6 months to be ready." They also said no loaner vehicles are available due to the large amount of issues they are having. This is unacceptable as my wife and children ride in this vehicle daily and put their lives on the line with these issues.

- Searcy, AR, USA

problem #12

May 042022

Atlas

  • miles
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.

- Cave Springs, AR, USA

problem #11

Apr 292022

Atlas

  • miles
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!

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #10

Apr 222022

Atlas

  • miles
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.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #9

Aug 012020

Atlas

  • miles
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.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #8

Mar 252022

Atlas

  • miles
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.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #7

Jun 302021

Atlas

  • miles
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.

- Hixson , TN, USA

problem #6

Jan 102022

Atlas

  • miles
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.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #5

Jan 042022

Atlas

  • miles
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

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #4

Jan 282022

Atlas

  • miles
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.

- Glenwood Springs , CO, USA

problem #3

Dec 192020

Atlas

  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Hingham, MA, USA

problem #2

Feb 152020

Atlas

  • 3,000 miles
Struck a large pothole with driver's side front wheel while traveling 15mph on a roundabout which apparently caused the side airbags to deploy. No body damage and no appearance of suspension damage. Tire and wheel remained intact, drove straight to dealership for closer look/explanation as to why all side airbags deployed.

- Weston, WI, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »