2019 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS Complaints

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, a message indicating an air bag error was displayed. Additionally, an audible message indicating the same failure was heard. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V152000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Complaint: Vehicle owners observed the dashboard airbag warning light flash sporadically on while driving. Passenger seat occupant detection mat, control module, and harness failure. (Failed parts are available) The passenger airbag system failed, jeopardizing the safety of the driver and all the occupants. The parts associated with this failure have been confirmed and inspected by the dealer. Dealer Diagnoses: RO 84066 - 74778: “Airbag light and airbag warning are not currently on. Test drove, could not duplicate concern. Connected battery charger, performed GFF, B1225F1 passive occupant detection system mat shield wire, open circuit (Passive/sporadic) stored in airbag module. Inspected passenger seat harness and occupant detection connectors, no problems found. Recommend replacing detection mat. Detection mat replacement requires replacement of seat harness and occupant detection control module.” Dealer Repair: RO 85716 - 80008: “Replaced occupant detection mat, control module, and seat harness per diagnosis on repair order 84066. Removed passenger front seat. Replaced lower seat cushion, occupant detection mat, control module, and seat harness. Reinstalled seat. Connected battery charger, performed GFF, performed occupant detection basic settings. Cleared codes. Confirmed operation of occupant detection, seat heater, and seat adjustment.”

On two occasions, I started to back up and the emergency brake system engaged, slamming the car to a stop, as if someone were behind me but there clearly was not. I had a car full of 10 year old girls and they all screamed. Two days ago, I was traveling a city street at 35-40 mph and the emergency braking system engaged and slammed the car almost to a full stop, while in busy traffic. The cruise control isn't currently working either, it throws an error when you try to set your speed. I travel approximately 40 miles round trip to work 5+ days a week at highway speeds. If the emergency brake were to engage while I'm doing 65-70 mph in rush hour traffic and lock the brakes, it will cause an accident. What if it is raining? There is no way someone traveling a few car lengths behind me will be able to stop suddenly. I will injure myself or others and I'm honestly scared to drive my Atlas right now so it is at the local VW dealer for further inspection. I told them my worries and this needs to be recalled quickly. It is a known issue, they asked me if my windows were rolling down when this happens, which is reported in the VM forums.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? ? Full Electrical system failure. Yes, car is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Car became inoperable while driving, parking brake auto engaged and cannot be manually disengaged. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem, believed to be caused by the wiring harness being soaked in water in the driver side door panel, occurred 3 weeks later after initial inspection. After sealing and a car wash to reproduce, the dealer was not able to get water to enter the area again. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Vehicle was only inspected by the dealer technicians. I called VW but they did not follow up. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? It appeared that all the warning lamps appears on during the failure. A day or so earlier, the Cruise Control would not activate, I suspect this was related.

While driving, the instrument cluster will light up with red warnings about the braking system not available, I remember seeing "brake booster" in the warning, and need to pull over immediately. At that point, it feels that I have lost the brake booster and I need to step on the brakes very hard to stop. It is scary, as it occurred while driving in the city, with speeds from 30-35 mph and cars behind. It has happened 3 times over 9 months. It is not easy to reproduce as I don't know what causes it. Whe it happens again, if its safe I will try to take a picture as well. Similar people have had the same issues: https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/brake-booster-faulty-alert-while-driving.9175137/

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.

Steering assist failure at low and highway speed. Lurching and speed fluctuating at low and highway speed. Adaptive cruise control failure at low and highest speed. Yes, it is reproducible.

Every display ECM warning light has come on. Yes, it is reproducible. All ADAS failed at once. Normal system such as brakes, steering, electrical & head unit display becomes random.

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving 17 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently made a sudden stop. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance brake assist, the cruise control symbol, and stability control system waring lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while driving. The dealer was contacted and stated that the contact would receive a callback. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 59,600.

Atlas displays the same problems that others have also complained about. The vehicle will abruptly stop and engage the parking brake and set off all kinds of warning sensors. The driver's side door harness is the alleged problem and yet they have no fix. My VIN number is not associated with the recall but my Atlas displays the same problems as the recalled ones.