2023 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS Complaints

When car came to a stop at a red light I put my foot on the gas once the light turned green. When I tried to proceed through the light my car was at a complete stall. I had to then place the car in park, power the car off and then power the car back on. The other car behind me almost ran into the back of my car due to the light was green. When I contacted the dealership the service department they told me it was normal and don’t worry about it. If it happens again then to bring the vehicle in.

The vehicle simply shuts off with no warning or reason. I should NOT have to explain to anybody how this is a safety hazard to the driver and others around the vehicle. It shuts down while in a car wash and the vehicle is in Neutral. Thus, I have to brake, place the trans in Park then manually restart. The same happens at Stop Lights. All the time this is happening, the vehicle's "Auto On/Auto Off" mode has been manually disabled. VW KNOWS about this issue, although the dealerships like to play dumb, as it has been going on for several years now with still no solution in sight! Had I known about this issue before purchasing the vehicle I would never have purchased it! I would LOVE it if VW would buy back the vehicle and allow me to look for another SUV from an American car manufacturer.

(part 2) vehicle service records available upon request. The only problem confirmed by the dealership is infotainment system issues on multiple occasions. All aforementioned issues in complaint 1 are legitimate safety issues. If a vehicle is in motion, or needs to be in motion on a public road/highway/crossing railroad & transit tracks, etc. and shuts down, sputters, or lunges, it could be fatal for not only myself and occupants of my vehicle, but could be a danger to others on the road or walkways as well. Further scenarios noted, but not limited to the following: 07/10/23, vehicle lunged forward as if I hit the gas while my foot was firmly pressed on the brake, while waiting to turn onto a busy state road. This is a huge safety issue. I could have rear-ended someone if they were in front of me, or hit into oncoming traffic if anyone was passing by at that moment. 6/25/23, while driving my VW dealership loaner vehicle, a '23 Atlas, engine jumped as if the gas peddle was pressed while at a complete stop in city-setting traffic and moved forward. I reported both incidents to VW dealership. I was told the F5 module was to blame for most issues, due to them being "COVID" era computer chips, and once they became available they would replace. 07/31/23, I was told a new module would not help, that instead a software update to the infotainment system should fix any problems, and the update was performed. To date, three software updates have been performed on this vehicle, including a new F1 module on 10/6/23. All problems still randomly persist, without rhyme or reason. These are not the only problems with this vehicle, per guidelines, I am keeping to immediate safety issues. 09/03/23 VW engaged brakes while backing up onto a brand new driveway with no vehicles, plants, people around. Back-up assist will not shut down while towing cargo carrier unless aftermarket part is purchased, making the vehicle brake as if avoiding crash and jarring occupants.

The start/stop system will activate and shut the vehicle down totally (at random times), even when in drive, and at times prematurely before even coming to a complete stop. When you move the steering wheel or take your foot off of the brake, the vehicle should automatically start back up, but the vehicle totally shuts off, asking: "Did you forget anything? Everyone out of the vehicle?" [XXX], first occurrence of this completely shutting down in the city of Pittsburgh, PA, on a busy bridge after the vehicle was idling for about 45-60 seconds in traffic. I hadn't experienced this problem in any vehicle before, so it took quick thinking to figure out that I had to put the vehicle back into park before it would start back up. If I had to move quickly, I was not able to do so. [XXX] while pulling out from a stop, nothing in front of us at all, the vehicle started to shut down while pressing the gas and at the same time the front collision system was beeping even though there was nothing at all in front of us. [XXX] infotainment screen blacked out for the VW technician while it was in for service due to multiple issues. The reason I am stating that in this complaint: multiple VW technicians and service personnel have stated that the infotainment system is the brain for the vehicle, if it is acting up, can cause problems with almost anything in the vehicle. [XXX], in the middle of a quick 3-point turn at the end of my street, the engine shut down totally while shifting from drive to reverse, asked if I forgot anything/anyone in the backseat, then, when shifting to park (to start the vehicle back up a.s.a.p.), it started itself back up without me touching the start/stop ignition button. [XXX] while accelerating up a hill in Pittsburgh, the vehicle started sputtering as if it was stalling out, engine misfiring. [XXX] vehicle in drive, stopped for approx. 20 seconds, again shut completely down, shift to P to restart. (con't) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(

UNKOWN Brakes on brand new vehicle are exhibiting behavior that is not normal for a car of this size and relatively young age (miles). Measurably loud brake noise based on manufactures choice of materials in components leave concern on overall safety of brake system based on generally considered (except by dealer / manufacturer of course) unexpected behavior of vehicle braking system.

This vehicle when using the Navigation system will suddenly show the vehicle 50 to 100+ miles from its actual location, often in the middle of a field or just offroad! I returned to the dealer who installed the recommended "fix" from a technical service bulletin. The software fix did bring the locations closer when the system failed, and instead of 50 to 100+ miles off course, it shows 5 to 15 miles off course. I did a search online and found [XXX] and there are hundreds of complaints about this issue! I believe this to be a MAJOR safety issue, as you can find yourself suddenly what appears to be off course and in an unknown area. What ever is happening also screws up the maps on your iPhone as it apparently grabs the info from the vehicle and projects it on the CarPlay screen. I have multiple photos of the navigation system showing me off road when in the middle of the interstate! I tried to upload them here but they would not. I listed one date for the incident but this is ONGOING! Happens frequently and without warning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The radio will occasionally blast this really loud sound that sounds similar to a helicopter. The only way that I have found to stop it is to pull-over, turn-off the car, and wait for the radio to timeout (the radio will stay on for a period after the ignition is turned-off). From my online research (there are others with this same issue, and it appears to be related to the Fender sound system), the issue appears to be the main amplifier, but dealer has not been able to confirm this. This issue could potentially be dangerous as the sound is very loud and could possible scare someone into having an accident.

The vehicle only has 15K miles and the breaks are already producing a grinding sound. Brought it back to the dealership and they said that the pads and rotors are measuring correct and that it was the humidity. No vehicle that we have ever experiences has had grinding, so new and blamed weather. They are stating that the pads and rotors are made up of higher iron and corrosion is happening quicker. This is unacceptable and put extra wear on the vehicle breaking components ultimately putting breaking at risk.

The car engine shuts off several times a day, all the dash lights comes on and say that I am driving with the emergency transmission mode. The break is making a noise like metal against metal. My wife and kids are in risk because this is happening in the middle of a busy California freeway. I set up 2 service appointments that takes almost a month to find availability and when you finally find, they need the car for at least a week for testing, but cant provide a car loaner. no warnings before the engine stops.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? YES How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? NO Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NO Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?YES. They cannot reproduce as they test drive the vehicle upon arrival and it something that happens when the car has been sitting.