2019 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS Engine Problems

My vehicle has P0420 and P0430 code errors, indicating a problem with the catalytic converters/emission system. There is a current recall on 2018 VW Atlas vehicles for this issue, but it does not include my vehicle. It appears this recall needs to be extended as the same issue is occurring on other 2018 VW Atlas vehicles.

In July 2022, VW replaced the cylinder head and gaskets of my 2019 VW Atlas due to warped head. The vehicle was brought in for service because the low coolant light was on. The repair was done under warranty. In January 2024, the low coolant light came on again 31k miles after the first repair. We were told it was normal for this vehicle to burn coolant. Service refilled coolant. Since that time customer would refill the coolant when the low coolant light came on which was approximately every 6 months. Customer made appointment to bring in the vehicle because the low coolant seemed to be more frequent with evidence of a coolant leak. On November 6, 2025, service department informed customer that the Water pump was bad and needed to be replaced. On November 7, 2025, service department informed customer that they couldn't hold pressure and they had to...

With auto stop/start disengaged, vehicles stalls at slow speed (approaching a stop sign) or while idling at a stop light. displays "start car manually" when this happens. Now error code displays "Error Stop-start" The stalling has happened 5 times this week.

Car will randomly stop when using the auto start/stop feature. It can do this at slow speeds or when slowing down. Huge risk.

The vehicle experienced sudden loss of engine power accompanied by the illumination of the EPC (Electronic Power Control) warning light. The exact cause is fuel injection, but the issue appears related to the know EVAP problem on this car model. The problem may still be reproducible. The vehicle stalled multiple times while driving on a state highway (steady low load) and when approaching traffic. In each case, I had to come to a complete stop and restart the engine. This posed a serious risk of rear-end collisions or being struck by cross traffic, especially when power was lost during deceleration or merging. The EPC light appeared each time the issue occurred, immediately after the engine lost power. No other warning lights or messages were observed prior to/after the failure. The problem began occurring intermittently and without prior symptoms.

When coming to stop car will turn off at random. Car will still be in drive and alert comes up that says to restart the engine. Requires me to quickly put car in park and restart car in order to drive. This has happened numerous times for no apparent reason.

While operating the vehicle, it will turn off randomly when coming to a stop. It happens at street lights, stop signs or slow moving traffic. This happens even while manually turning off the auto-stop feature. This is dangerous because in order to turn it on again, the car requires you to be at a complete stop with the vehicle in park. This can lead to an accident on the highway while in slow traffic, going uphill on a bridge, going over train tracks, etc. I have not sent it back to the dealer. This is a known issue with the VW Atlas though. No warning lamps or messages appear in the vehicle.

While driving the vehicle turns off automatically... and you are prompted to restart the vehicle. On Saturday while in traffic the vehicle has turned off on three occasions. This is highly dangers... To be more specific, it tell you to put he car in PARK and restart.

Vehicle will get a stop/start error and stall at low speeds in traffic or at stop lights/signs. Have to put vehicle in park and manually restart. had the same issue at 20k miles and they replaced the carbon canister. This time they won’t replace it until the error code shows. Truly a safety hazard and I can not put my kids back in this car

I had just completed filling my car with gas and was still parked at the gas pump. The gas cap had been replaced and I got back into the car and started it. I thought that the engine had fully started, but when I shifted into drive, the engine sputtered a little. I put it back in park, and attempted to start the car again. There was a huge bang under the hood and a puff of smoke. Upon opening the hood, the cover over the intake manifold had exploded into pieces. There was enough force that one of the shards of plastic dented the hood from the underside. Luckily nothing caught fire, but I fear that it could have. I had the car towed to a repair shop, and they confirmed that at minimum, the intake manifold needs replacing, but really couldn't guess as to the cause of the...

Vehicle has auto stop/start. Vehicle shuts down when at a stop sign and does not start .Deactivating the stop/ start function does not help.

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60-75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, causing the vehicle to decelerate to approximately 25 MPH. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

The car keeps jerking and stalling when in traffic, car line or just driving very slowly. It feels like there is not enough fuel coming to the engine and it shuts off. The message that comes on the screen- Please start engine manually. I have been numerous times to the dealer but they say they can’t help me as there is no code. Obviously the car has issues and I want someone to be responsible for them. It is dangerously to driver it like that. I have kids that I driver to school and I don’t feel safe driving it.

The engine mount of my 2019 VW Atlas SE failed around April 2024. The specific part (Engine Mounting Right 3QF199262G) has been unavailable since then. There were no warning lights before the failure. My mechanic identified the problem when the engine started moving forward and backward with gear changes. This issue caused the steering wheel to vibrate while driving and made the vehicle harder to control, especially at stops where the vibration became severe. Both my mechanic and I contacted various dealers across multiple states, but none had the part available, with one dealer mentioning a waitlist of around 300 Atlas vehicles needing the same part. Despite initial promises of delivery by mid-August, the part’s arrival has been delayed. We eventually found the part on eBay and ordered it from Latvia, but we are still waiting for it to arrive. The failure of the engine mount presents a significant safety...

The car would randomly stall in the middle of intersections after leaving a stop and a message in the dash said I needed to restart manually. Then I have to put the car in park and restart. This has happened over 5 times, the first was 2 years ago and the last 4 on the last four months. We have almost been hit multiple times. If my vehicle acts up in the wrong situation, it could not only cause a major accident affecting me and others in my vehicle, plus unsuspecting people on the road. There were no warning signs or messages prior to the failure. This is very scary and frustrating. Every time it happed we have took it to the dealer and it is always a different thing. Right now , the vehicle is in the dealer since July 19, 2024, and still they have not communicated to...

I have a start/stop error message on my dash and my car stalls when I am braking sometimes the car turns off completely. my car is available for inspection anytime. It is a safety concern for me and anyone who might be following me as my car will just completely shut off in traffic.

My '19' Atlas had given me several issues after 2 years. The engine light has illuminated several times. Im not sure if is just being reset or if the problem is actually being fixed. At any rate, I have continuously complained about smelling coolant since Feb 21. Only to bring vehicle in, have the coolant topped off, and hear it's nothing's wrong. It has been checked and inspected and yet there has been no headway of the originating of the issue. The dealer has changed the canister & head gasket a few times (even speculated water pump issues). It was said the problem had been fixed. That statement couldn't be more INACCURATE a few weeks ago I was told I needed a new head/spark plugs and the block was warp and I would not be able to drive it until it was repaired (a $5k job). My vehicle is 4...

Engine shutting off intermittently. Engine has hut off at 10 mph currently. No, "not able to be recreated". No, but VW is aware of complaints at this time. Please restart engine manually was the only thing displayed.

Unit will not start when showing 1/4 tank of fuel on a 3.85 degree decline. Fear of duplication of condition while in use on roadside. Condition is normal according to the manufacture. Condition is normal according to the manufacturer. P0089 and P0087 active with 1/4 tank on MFD display on a 3.85 degree decilne.

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated the vehicle had stalled 5 times while driving. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Low coolant level warning comes on every few days. I've taken the car to the dealership and they say it's a common issue. There doesn't seem to be a fix as far as I know.

My vehicle has completely just shut down atleast five times since owing it. I have a special needs son who is in the vehicle with me all the time. The vehicle engine will shut down with no warning and not restart. Traffic behind me not aware that my vehicle has shut down after the light has turned green. It has shut down at various times in the middle of traffic. I’m fearful for myself and child that an accident is just a matter of time. I read complaints from others who state they have experienced the same problem. I’m concerned for the SAFETY of others and me and my son. No warning is given before it just dies. I don’t feel safe in this vehicle. This vehicle needs to be FIXED immediately. My vehicle has approximately 38,000 miles on it currently. This occurred either when I have stopped completely at...

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.

Car engine turns off while driving and says start engine. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection. Car stop in traffic and I was almost hit by the car behind me on multiple occasions. I had 6 children in the vehicle at the time who would’ve been seriously injured or dead as the car behind me was going at least 70 mph and my car halted out of nowhere. Nothing has been confirmed for my vehicle specifically but vehicles like mine have had the same issue. The car was inspected once and they said they couldn’t find a problem. The check engine light came on.

I own a 2019 vw atlas and I had called the dealership about low coolant level light that had came on and you know what I was told it’s common in the atlas’s and that they just use coolant and I’m thinking to my self that cars don’t just use coolant and I’m finding out more and more a lot of people are having this issue the funny thing is that the had told me to just come on down and they will top it off with coolant

On two occasions the Auto Start/Stop system has engaged and turned off the engine at a stop light (performing correctly), but then failed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle did not provide any error message, it just did not try to restart and began rolling forward when the brakes were disengaged. The vehicle was then required to be placed in park and manually restarted. This presents a safety concern at a stop light as you could be rear ended if the car behind you is anticipating you to start driving.

Problem first started in April 2022, start/stop malfunction, then the engine light would come on and car would decelerate until I pull over to the side of the road and turn off the engine. Once it restarted then it was okay. Brought it to the Dealer and they fixed it. Got the car back and it was working fine. However we noticed that the car RPMs would go up when pressing on the brake. Then in July into August while driving on the toll-roads at 65-70 mph, car engine would make straining noise then ETC and engine light come on, then the car decelerate. We press on the gas pedal and it would not pick up speed. It drastically reduced speed from 70 mph to 55mph. We would have to move to the shoulder and turn car off. Wait then then start the car. The car would be fine for...

I bought the car new 2 years ago and the issues began around 11k miles and have continued every several months to it is current 45k mileage. On 4 occasions my car has powered down while driving speeds approximately 60mph and began shaking with the EPC and check engine light becoming illuminated. Of those occasions, 3 of which I was able to get the car to the side of the road and restart it to get to a servicer. 1 of those times I had to have to towed. On the fifth occasion the car began shaking and worsened with accelaration with both the check engine and epc light on. The dealer has only changed a coil to date. Other occasions they repaired recalls in hopes of stopping. Several times I have been told it was a misfire and they could not pinpoint the issue.

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...

Purchased car from VW on 04/24/21. Noticed an issue the car breaking on its own at low speeds less then 5mph and then completely shutting off, about a month into owning it. 08/19/21 car was taken in for service to fix the automatic breaking issue/shutting off. Car was returned to me about a week later stating the "problem" was fixed. In December 2021, I started noticing the problem again, as this point I assume since the "problem" was fixed maybe this was just how the car was. Finally in March of 2022 while driving at a speed of about 30MPH the car started breaking on its own and completed shut off in the middle of driving! At that point it called my local VW and told them they need to take the Car in ASAP to have it looked at the fix this problem once and for all, as of...

Vehicle is completely shutting down while in drive. Occurring during acceleration and deceleration. No warning given before car shuts down. Just immediately stops in road. I had to restart car and avoid traffic. Dealership has been notified. Service department has stated there is a solution but no availability of parts. Suggested appointment for service to inspect vehicle and to put order in for recall part. Will inspect car but says the vehicle issues seem related to the recall. Unable to provide loaner cars and unable to provide date that part will be available. Service department does not have date of when part will be available, anticipates one to two months. Dealership has been notified. Service department has stated that car should be safe to drive even with no remedy for recall at this time. Owner told its kind of just a faith thing right now and it should be okay...

The vehicle has had issues with the torque converter, head, head gasket, electrical system, gas cap door, seat belt. VW has not been able to fix the issues

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal squealing noise while accelerating from a stationary start. The contact indicated that the noise was present for approximately three seconds before ceasing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced an engine valve however, the failure continued. No further information was available. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

Coolant cap repeatedly came loose after 15,000 miles triggering low Coolant warning to come on. Appears to be a cap or reservoir issue.

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.

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.

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 ....

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.

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.

FUEL INJECTOR CRACKED AT 21K MILES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. FUEL WAS SPEWING ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND GROUND. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND LOUD WINDING NOISE AS WELL. ALSO LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. HAD JUST ENOUGH POWER TO GET OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. WAS VERY WORRIED. POSSIBLE FIRE RISK.

THE CAR RANDOMLY DOES NOT ACCELERATE AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN CHANGING LANES IN TRAFFIC, HAS A SCREECHING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION THAT VW SAYS IS A NORMAL LOUD NOISE BECAUSE ITS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR ALL THE VEHICLES (THAT'S THE EXACT WORDS FROM THE VW MECHANIC). I HAVE A VIDEO THAT SHOWS THE PROBLEM WITH EXCELEAREATION YET VW TELLS ME THEY'RE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE SWAY BARS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES IN 6 MONTHS AND THE PROBLEM STILL ISN'T REPAIRED. THE AUTO COLLISION RANDOMLY WORKS.

THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPEN 3 TIMES. AUTO START/STOP IS DISENGAGED EACH TIME. ONE INCIDENT (6/19/20) WHILE DRIVING 50MPH, HAD TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT & RESTART THE ENGINE. ANOTHER (8/19/20) WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO GO INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS. THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. DEALER HAS CONTACTED VW TECH & ENGINEERING. WE HAVE STARTED FILE WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE. WE WERE INSTRUCTED BY VW THAT THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS, LEAVE THE CAR WHERE IT STOPS & TO CALL CUSTOMER CARE FOR A TOW. WE ALSO HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH ONE KEY NOT BEING RECOGNIZED BY THE CAR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. TODAY, THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY & THE RADIO SHUT DOWN WHILE IDLING AT CVS (AUTO START/STOP WAS OFF).

GRINDING AND SQUEALING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP TO GO AS IT LAST FOR UP TO 5 SECONDS EACH TIME. MANY ATLAS'S HAVE THIS ISSUE BASED ON THE FORUMS AND VW STATES THAT IS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE WHICH IS RIDICULOUS TO HEAR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THE CONCERN IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

TWICE THIS VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IN MARCH WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE GOING 70 MPH. AND ONE TIME EXCELLING WHILE LEAVING AN EXIT RAMP. I ROLLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD AND PUT IN PARK. GAVE IT A TEST AND IT THEN RESTARTED. *TR

HAVE HAD MY 2019 VOLKSWAGEN SEL R LINE 4 MOTION FOR LESS THAN A MONTH WITH ONLY 2,000 MILES ON IT. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD NOT 20 MINUTES LATER ON ROUTE 66 THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON TELLING US IT WAS LOW AND NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. WE PULLED OVER AND THE OVERFLOW TANK WAS EMPTY. WE IMMEDIATELY CALL VOLKSWAGEN OKC AND THE SALES MANAGER WAS IN DISBELIEF ALSO. SHE TOLD US TO GET IT TO THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. WE ADDED WATER TO IT AND ONLY WATER SO WE DIDN'T JEOPARDIZE OUR WARRANTY. DIDN'T MAKE IT 5 MINUTES WHEN IT SAID IT WAS LOW AGAIN AND OVER HEATING. WE ADDED MORE WATER AS NEEDED AND GOT IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSING SO THEY GAVE US A LOANER AND TOLD US WE WOULD HEAR FROM THEM FIRST...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (TIMMONS SUBARU 3950 CHERRY AVE, LONG BEACH, CA 90807 (888) 496-9707) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE GEARBOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,748.

WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP AND THE AUTO START/STOP ACTIVATES, THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES NOT AUTO RESTART AND WILL DISPLAY, "PLEASE MANUALLY RESTART THE ENGINE". IN ORDER TO FOLLOW THE PROMPTS AND START THE VEHICLE AGAIN, YOU HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND PUSH THE IGNITION BUTTON. I WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THIS ISSUE 100% OF THE TIME BY COMING TO A STOP, HAVING THE IGNITION AUTO STOP AND THEN REMOVING MY SEAT BELT (LIKE YOU OFTEN DO IN A DRIVE-THRU TO GET YOUR WALLET OUT OF YOUR BACK POCKET). I'VE ALSO FOUND THAT EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WILL DISPLAY, "PLEASE MANUALLY RESTART" IF YOU RECONNECT YOUR SEAT BELT AND PUSH THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WILL TAKE OFF IN DRIVE. I"VE HAD THIS HAPPEN UNEXPECTEDLY ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS NOW AND SOME INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED IN THE STREET AND OCCURRED EVEN WHEN THE SEAT BELT...

COOLANT LEVEL IS LOW. THEY SAID IS A LEAK ON IT WHICH IS GOING INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS A MAJOR MAJOR ISSUE FOR THIS BRAND AND EXPENSIVE CAR. MY CAR HAD ONLY 8400 MILES ON IT. ONE YEAR OLD. THIS IS ON UNACCEPTABLE, FOR SO MUCH MONEY I PAYED. AND SO MUCH FOR 'GERMAN ENGINEERING' PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS NOT THE FIRST VEHICLE COMPLAING LOOK AT THE FB PAGE VW ATLAS COMPLAINS.

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. HAS MULTIPLE GAS LEAKS AND DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING THE GAS TANK AND LINES.

THE GAS CONSUMPTION IS BELOW WHAT VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS AND ADVERTISES. OUR CAR AVERAGES 14 MPG INSTEAD OF 19 MPG. ON USER FORUMS, OTHER ATLAS OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT AVERAGING 14 MPG. WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, IT STARTS TO ROLL FORWARD. THE TRANSMISSION JOLTS WHILE DRIVING. SINCE WE GOT THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR AN EVAP LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP "FIXED" IT. HOWEVER, SEVERAL HOURS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON.