2023 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS Complaints

The design of the tilt and telescope steering column allows for an adjustment position that will cause the turn signal stalk to bind against the instrument panel trim with the steering wheel adjusted up and forward. This prohibits proper use of the turn signal and headlight dimmer functions. A clear design defect

Engine unexpectedly stalls at low speed requiring a full restart. Happened one time to me less than 2 months after purchasing the vehicle brand new. Many others reported the same issue with this model and for them often times the issue persisted after dealer repairs (carbon canister replacement, etc). This is a very serious safety issue since a vehicle stalling unexpectedly in the middle of traffic can throw off the driver or other drivers on the road resulting in a collision. Some reports cite 2021 models and it is concerning the manufacturer did not address the problem going back 2-3 years.

The components that failed or malfunctioned was the fuel pump & fuel system components. During the 1st incident, while driving at approx. 50 mph, I quickly lost acceleration, which caused me to slow down very quickly until I had no acceleration power - this took a matter of 10 seconds or less. After losing power, the smell of gas consumed the cabin, & the engine was unable to start, resulting in the vehicle having to be towed. This incident happened at 1,005 miles on a brand new car. I had only owned it about 2 1/2 weeks. This happened 2 more times over the course of the next several weeks, but this time on a busy California freeway. I again had to be towed twice. The 3rd incident had an incredibly strong smell of gasoline vapors that consumed the inside AND outside of the cabin. In total, the vehicle (at 3 months old) had been towed 3 times, had 5 fuel pump replacements; and replacement of the fuel rails, fuel injectors, intake manifold gasket, and more. The Carfax report does not show all repairs performed. My life as well as the lives of my husband & children were put at risk when we nearly stalled out on the CA freeway while beginning our family vacation. I believe the most dangerous part was the gasoline vapors that consumed the inside & immediate vicinity of the vehicle. The dealerships code reader confirmed the issues with the fuel pump. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership. The warning lights that illuminated during the incidents were the EPC & check engine light. They illuminated at the immediate onset of the vehicle losing acceleration. I would like to note that this vehicle was eventually repurchased from VW under lemon law. I had to ask for reconsideration after the first request was denied. However, VW eventually made a horrible situation right and we are relieved this vehicle is off our hands. I do feel like I have an obligation, however, to notify NHTSA of these incidents as it could have had a much more devastating outcome.

The car will stop suddenly at a red light or when slowing in traffic without warning. I have to stop the car, put in park, and restart the engine often when the light turns green and I'm not moving The ACC eco-feature is typically off/disabled, so it isn't the issue. A few scary times being in traffic at a red light and then the car stops working. Not an engine problem. Earlier versions have had a recall, but not my year. May need to consider extending the recall and fix.

I was making a right turn, I pressed the gas and turned my wheel right to make the turn and the steering wheel then locked and I couldn’t straighten it out and ended up driving over the sidewalk and crashing into a building. My car was totaled and I went to the hospital due to airbag burns. My insurance picked up the car and it is available to be inspected.

While driving on the freeway, the panoramic sunroof exploded. This time, the vehicle has not been repaired and is available for inspection. The explosion could have been caused by the excessive heat. The sunroof cover was closed at the time, but if it was open, the glass from the sunroof exploding could have injured my daughter who was sitting in the back seat. The glass could have flown and injured other drivers as well. The vehicle has not been expected, but when this issue was researched online, it appears that it has happened on other Volkswagen vehicles, and the dealership service center acknowledged that this has happened to others before. The vehicle is scheduled to be repaired at the Volkswagen dealership. No warning lights or prior messages appeared prior to the sunroof exploding.

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the instrument panel went black. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the radio/Navigation system head unit needed to be replaced. The radio/Navigation system head unit was replaced; however, two weeks later the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 1,834.

The first incident that occurred is that my car came to a complete stop while I was backing out of a driveway. I did not move at all while I pressed the accelerator (tried this while in drive and reverse), but my car stayed on. No lights or warning signals came up. Turned car off and on again, and I was able to drive away with no issues. Exactly 1 week later, I was trying to cross a 4-way intersection - all stop signs. When it was my turn to go, I took my foot off the brake, but my car did not move. The only warning/message that came up was to manually start my car. I was unable to start my car again, and it felt like the brakes locked up. I couldn't press them down all the way. After about 5 minutes, I was able to start my car and move it off to the side of the road. It was 8 PM and I was 1 hour away from home with my infant in the back seat. My car was towed to the nearest dealership the next morning. I am being told there are 3 known recurrent issues with the Atlas model since 2017, but Volkswagen will not change any parts until a fault is picked up by the computer. The dealership has not picked up any faults, and I am told I will probably have to bring my car back 3-4 more times before anything will be done. I now have to drive my car knowing it will most likely shut off again at any time, and I have my infant with me 99% of the time. I am scared for our lives.

The rear door on the SUV has opened spontaneously while parked on two occasions. The car has been owned by me for just 3 months and has 3577 miles on it currently. Within 2 days of taking delivery (129 miles) the care needed reprogramming. I noted a warning light and error message with auto start / stop 2 days ago. The dealer has not been able to reproduce this intermittent problem.

When the vehicle is wet (after car wash or when it rains), the breaks start screeching and the breaking jerks suddenly. It’s a terrible sound and terrible feeling because it’s unexpected and abnormal