Table 1 shows one common seats related problems of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Seats problems |
The plastic seat-release and folding handles on both sides of the second-row seats completely fractured, crumbled, and fell apart under ordinary hand pressure while attempting to fold the seats to install and access child safety restraint systems. This component failure exposes sharp plastic shards, which caused physical scratches/cuts to the operator, and physically restricts rapid or predictable access to the rear rows containing child car seats. Furthermore, the vehicle experiences structural electronic malfunctions where the central infotainment display and the backup-camera screen completely black out unexpectedly while operating, creating sudden blind spots. These defects exist simultaneously alongside two active, unrepaired manufacturer safety recalls on this vehicle: recall 69fb (NHTSA 23v215) for a passenger occupant detection system airbag malfunction, and recall 45j6 (NHTSA 22v815) for a tire pressure monitoring system software defect that fails to alert the operator to a sudden loss of pressure in all four tires. The combination of shattered child restraint access handles, erratic backup camera failures, and active unresolved safety software recalls creates an ongoing, extreme liability and safety hazard for occupants and young children. The broken physical components have been fully retained and the defects are available for inspection upon request.
The seat unlocked indicator does not activate showing that the seat is locked and safe to sit in. I informed the dealer in 2019 and filed a complaint when my child’s car seat was in an unlocked seat.
This car has an active recall on it since April, 2023 with no known remedy. In the meantime, I'm not supposed to have a passenger sit in the front seat. My lease is ending. I cannot buy the car from the dealer because they won't sell it with an open recall.
Vehicle has had a call some match 2023. There still is no remedy for repair.
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. ”.
Captain seat became unlatched when braking quickly, causing the 40lb child sitting in forward facing booster seat to slam head first into back of passenger seat. Seat was then difficult to re-set and lock back into proper position from driver's seat while pulling off highway to a safe location, resulting in child being trapped between captain seat and front passenger seat until vehicle was stopped. Latch appears to be working as expected and has not released unexpectedly otherwise.
When lowering the third row seats of the Atlas the seats slam down and forward with great force. When parked today, I was lowering the seats and the seat lowered with such force the my foot was mashed and pinned immediately a large knot appeared. I plan to have an x-ray of the foot tomorrow. My immediate thought was the damage that could have been done to a smaller child.
While driving and coming to a slow stop at a stop sign. The middle row right side seat disengaged while child and car seat in the seat and flung forwarded and into the back of the front passenger seat.