2019 Volkswagen Atlas
Common Problems
Ranked from 217 federal NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
38 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Electrical System Issues
30complaintsHigh severityElectricalMultiple electrical system failures including warning lights, unexpected window movements, and engine shutdowns.
Related recall: 18V824000
- 2
Passenger Airbag Malfunction
21complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe passenger airbag system malfunctions, causing the airbag to either deploy incorrectly or not deploy at all.
Related recall: 18V824000
- 3
Airbag Recall Issue
20complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe airbag recall repair is not available, leading to the airbag warning light being illuminated and the inability to use the front passenger seat.
Related recall: 18V824000
- 4
Airbag Recall Not Fixed Timely
20complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe airbag recall has not been fixed in a timely manner, leaving the passenger seat unusable.
Related recall: 18V824000
- 5
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
18complaintsHigh severityEngineThe vehicle randomly shuts off while idling or stopped, requiring manual restart.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction
17complaintsSafety riskOtherSystem incorrectly activates emergency brakes or false positive warnings, posing a safety risk.
Related recall: 22V086000
- 7
Automatic Emergency Braking System Malfunctions
14complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe automatic emergency braking system engages unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly in the middle of the road.
- 8
Fuel System Issues
10complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe fuel system malfunctions, causing the vehicle to lose fuel rapidly or not allow more than three gallons of gas to be added during refueling.
Related recall: 19V614000
- 9
Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunctions
8complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe forward collision avoidance system engages unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to brake suddenly without any detected obstacle.
- 10
Stop-Start System Issues
8complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe stop-start system malfunctions, causing the engine to unexpectedly shut off while the vehicle is in motion.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V824000
- 11
Brake System Issues
7complaintsHigh severityOtherThe brake system experiences intermittent issues such as brake booster faults, spongy brakes, and brake lights illuminating, leading to unsafe driving conditions.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 22V086000
- 12
Stalling and Starting Issues
7complaintsMedium severityOtherThe vehicle frequently stalls and fails to start properly, especially at low speeds, leading to frustration and inconvenience.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 22V086000
- 13
Air Bag System Errors and Non-Functioning Sensors
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalPassenger airbag sensors indicate errors, and the airbags may not deploy correctly in a collision.
Related recall: 18V824000
- 14
Electrical System Issues Resulting in Random Shutdowns
6complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe vehicle randomly shuts off while driving, often requiring the driver to put the car in park and restart it.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V824000
- 15
Air Bag System Issues
5complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe air bag warning light illuminates intermittently, and the air bags may fail to deploy during a crash.
Related recall: 18V824000
- 16
Brake Booster Malfunction
5complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake booster malfunctions, causing the brakes to feel spongy or hard to engage, and the vehicle to stop unexpectedly.
$500–$1,300est. brake booster replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Electrical System Malfunction
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system experiences intermittent failures, including dashboard lights flickering and warning messages appearing.
Related recall: 18V824000
- 18
Engine Stall and Shutdown Issues
5complaintsMedium severityEngineEngine stalling and unexpected shutdowns during operation, often accompanied by warning lights.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Engine Stall and Stop
5complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls or stops unexpectedly while driving, presenting a safety risk to the driver and passengers.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Fuel System Issues Resulting in Random Stalls
5complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe vehicle randomly stalls, especially at low speeds or when coming to a stop, requiring manual restart.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V614000
- 21
Steering Rack Failure Causing Uncontrollable Shaking
5complaintsSafety riskSteeringThe steering rack fails, causing the steering wheel and front wheels to shake uncontrollably, making the vehicle unstable.
$900–$2,000est. steering rack replacement · 4–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 22
Stop-Start System Malfunction
5complaintsMedium severityEngineVehicle stalls at low speeds or while idling, often due to stop-start system failure.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 23
Airbag System Malfunction
4complaintsHigh severityElectricalAirbags fail to deploy properly or warning lights persist despite recalls and repairs.
Related recall: 18V824000
- 24
Automatic Braking System Malfunction Leading to Unsafe Conditions
4complaintsSafety riskOtherThe automatic braking system activates unexpectedly, putting the driver and passengers at risk of a collision.
Related recall: 22V086000
- 25
Steering System Malfunction
4complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering wheel vibrations, shaking, and loss of control at various speeds or under specific conditions.
- 26
Engine Stalling and Malfunction
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stutters and stalls at low speeds, often due to issues with the stop-start system or fuel system.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 27
Suspension Coil Spring Failure
3complaintsHigh severitySuspensionMultiple instances of rear or front coil springs breaking under normal driving conditions.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V904000
- 28
Suspension Issues Causing Abnormal Vibrations
3complaintsLow severitySuspensionThe suspension system causes abnormal vibrations and shaking, especially at higher speeds or when hitting bumps.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V904000
- 29
Automatic Braking System False Activation
2complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe forward collision avoidance system falsely activates, causing the car to brake suddenly without any obstacles present.
- 30
Brake Booster Failure
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe brake booster system fails, causing the vehicle to brake unexpectedly and potentially leading to accidents.
$500–$1,300est. brake booster replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 22V086000
- 31
Engine Performance Issues
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces unusual sounds and stalls at times, indicating potential issues with the fuel or propulsion system.
- 32
Engine Stall at Idle
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls intermittently, especially after turning off or when accelerating from low speeds.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 33
Faulty Seat Belt Indicators
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe seat belt indicator light comes on intermittently even when the seat belt is properly fastened.
Related recall: 22V086000
- 34
Steering Column Issues
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering column makes clunking noises during steering and occasionally locks up, preventing the car from starting.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 35
Steering Rack Failure
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering rack repeatedly fails, causing the steering wheel to shake and the vehicle to become unsafe to drive.
$900–$2,000est. steering rack replacement · 4–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 36
Sunroof Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severityOtherUnexpected sunroof detachment and spontaneous activation, posing a safety risk.
Related recall: 22V086000
- 37
Unreliable Automatic Transmission
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission shifts roughly and jumps between gears, especially under load, leading to poor performance.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 38
Vehicle Turning Off During Driving
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe vehicle unexpectedly turns off while driving, sometimes leading to complete shutdown in traffic.
Related recall: 22V086000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.