general problems of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving over a bumpy road surface at 5-10 mph or at higher speeds, the front end of the vehicle shuddered significantly. The vehicle was taken to firestone, where it was determined that the front stabilizer coupling rod had failed. The contact related the failure to Volkswagen campaign number: 40r1; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a power-steering rack and pinion failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the case was escalated to the supervisor. The contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

The electronic steering gear is malfunctioning and making a clicking sound when the steering wheel is turned at 90-degree angles in either direction. The dealership (bud brown vw, olathe, KS) advised me that they have had 3 vw Atlas vehicles with the same problem over the past month. I believe this is a manufacturer defect that could cause loss of steering and potential injury or loss of life.

?vehicle tries to pull me into a completely different lanes I have no intentions of trying to go into while on the highway ?vehicle completely shut off while driving. Electrical panel flashed with all the lights then said to start vehicle manually. ?vehicle's gas saving feature when stopped, works intermittently and randomly, even with same applied brake pressure.

Driving at highway speeds when the vehicle hit certain bumps the front end would wobble and cause significant vibration and loss of control steering (death wobble). This was reproduced by both and independent shop as well as mechanics at west end Volkswagen in henrico virginia. They replaced the entire steering rack to resolve the problem. They stated while I was there that this was the second steering rack on an Atlas this week they had replaced. The problem started around [xxx] and was fixed on 7/9/25. I don't currently have the original part and I don't know whether the Volkswagen dealership kept it. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

My steering wheel and front wheels shake uncontrollably make it dangerous to drive . A complete rack and pinion needed to be replace . The Atlas only has 85000 miles . This happened at as slow as 10 miles an hour. Making the vehicle very unstable.

My wife and children are currently stranded 800 miles from home after our Volkswagen began shaking severely on the freeway. She brought the vehicle to douglas vw in NJ, where the service team confirmed the steering rack is failing and verified the symptoms she experienced. Despite this, they told her it could take up to a year to fully fail and that it was “safe” to drive—an unacceptable and dangerous recommendation. We were then told the part is back-ordered for up to a year. Volkswagen has refused to provide a loaner vehicle during this wait, leaving my family without transportation. Meanwhile, we’ve been offered only a $1,500 credit toward a new vehicle, which does nothing to address the immediate issue. This is not an isolated case. It’s well documented online that this is a recurring issue with this year, make, and model. We’ve also been told the shortage is due to the part being reengineered, and that vw is prioritizing new vehicle production over existing customers dealing with critical failures. This is not just inconvenient—it’s unsafe. Volkswagen’s refusal to provide adequate support leaves my family in an impossible position through no fault of our own. We are asking for immediate action. Our case number with vw customer is [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I am filing this complaint due to a serious and unresolved safety issue with the steering system of my 2019 Volkswagen Atlas sel 4motion r-line. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed steering rack, which presents a significant safety hazard due to impaired steering response and potential loss of control. The part needed for the repair has been on national backorder for over a month, with no estimated time of availability. This delay has left me without a safe, operable vehicle and has created a major hardship for my family. I contacted Volkswagen customer care to request assistance and escalation. Unfortunately, they were unable or unwilling to escalate the issue to a regional case manager, and offered no support, solutions, or alternatives to address the safety or mobility concerns caused by this prolonged delay. In contrast, the dealership—Volkswagen of south mississippi—has been extremely helpful and professional throughout the process. They confirmed the diagnosis and are ready to perform the repair, but are completely dependent on Volkswagen to supply the required part. Through online research and owner forums, I’ve learned that steering rack failures and backorder delays are common with the 2019 Atlas, which indicates this could be part of a larger systemic issue affecting many owners. I am concerned that this situation poses an ongoing public safety risk, particularly if drivers experience steering loss unexpectedly. I respectfully urge NHTSA to investigate this matter and determine whether it warrants a broader safety recall or regulatory action. The current lack of support from Volkswagen, combined with the unavailability of critical steering components, is unacceptable and may leave affected drivers at serious risk.

My car started shaking while driving at high rates of speed. Also while hitting bumps at high speed or the brakes. I took it to the vw dealer and they told me the steering rack was going out. When trying to get it fixed I was told the part is on back order for months. They told me there was 400 people ahead of me. This seems like it should be a recall with so many people reporting the problem. And a safety issue with not being able to get the part. Vw is bad about doing an extended warranty to avoid a recall also. It needs to be recalled before someone gets hurt or killed. And if they can’t get the parts they need to offer another way out of it. Please help!.

Vehicle vibrates and rumbles at very low speeds and almost feels like the engine is giving out. I was told by my local vw dealership that the rack and pinion steering is failing and is the cause for this vibration. When attempting to have the problem resolved by their mechanics, I was told that it could take 30 days to get the part. After 60 days of waiting for the part, I cancelled the order and took my deposit back. I've recently learned that this part needed to replace rack and pinion can take up to 7-12 months to acquire. I am interested in seeing this mechanical issue being recalled by the NHTSA to have Volkswagen held responsible for such a travesty.

Steering rack and pinion (steering gear) is failing. There is a violent intermittent vibration in the steering wheel when driving. I have had an import repair shop check out the car - I did have some suspension work done on the rear as well as replaced the sway bars in the front (still had the vibration and it continues to worsen). After more review of the issue and numerous test drives it was determined that the steering rack and pinion was the issue and needed to be replaced. I authorized the shop to order the parts back in January, however they have been unable to get the part as it has been on back order. I have contacted other shops as well as dealerships and getting the part will require a substantial wait. This is a significant safety issue and even Volkswagen parts department here in high point nc acknowledged that the part has been "upgraded" a few times so clearly its a known issue. I do not know how this sort of a safety issue cannot be a recall. As the car's warranty is expired and this is not a recall, we are stuck navigating between driving a car that may be unsafe, renting a car or trying to get by on one car when we require 2. We have no option here but to wait, hope and pray that nothing significant happens.

With the past year, have had 2 dangerous safety issues pop up. 1. April 2024, seat belt malfunctioned causing an error message. From what the vw dealer told me, the seat belt would not lock, therefore requiring a replacement of the entire assembly had to drive home several hours with this error message. Should a 5 year old car have such issues? 2. January 2025, steering began to feel very sloppy. Was informed steering rack assembly had excessive play inside the steering gear. Presume losing steering at highway speeds would be quite dangerous. Replacing seat belt assembly cost $1261. 25, the steering rack assembly replacement will cost $1988. 75. Both should be recall items and covered by vw.

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the steering rack parts were on backorder and the vehicle was not able to be repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 78,000.

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel began to vibrate intensely. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the struts. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who then determined that the tires needed to be replaced. The tires were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack and pinion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.

The vehicle would start from the remote and upon getting into the vehicle the push start won’t engage with the steering wheel locking and the vehicle being inoperable. The steering will will make locking mechanism sounds and the vehicle won’t start. The vehicle will then not turn on and I am unable to drive. It has sputtered for weeks now yet it turns on and I am able to drive. When first purchasing the vehicle the engine had to be replaced as it backfired and went out the same start stop issue was present then.

Vehicle steering wheel shakes when turning hard to the left or right. Sounds like tires are getting stuck on vehicle, but dealership has confirmed that it is an issue with the steering rack. Issue started in April 2023 and after first steering rack replacement, issue persists. Now steering rack software is being updated and possibly parts replaced again. Car is not operating safely.

The steering rack continues to fail in the vw Atlas.

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.

Military combat retired veteran, purchased cpo 2019 Atlas from vw dealer. Claim filed with vw customer care. Numerous issues with steering rack, and excessive vibrations at normal speeds. Vehicle has never sounded or handled like would be expected. First alignment and 4 wheel balance 1 month after purchase - 2 months later, steering rack replaced. 5 months and 5500 miles after rack replaced, brakes and tires worn 50% post-steering rack replacement. Dealer state 'steering rack retorqued', and ware on tires and brakes due to 'underinflation'. When asked what psi was on the tires, dealer did not take a readings. Tire ware does not indicate 'underinflation', or misalignment. Indicates issues with toe or camber - presumably from when steering rack was replaced. Dealer resolution was to replaced tires, brakes, and rotors at a cost of over $2000 - all of this without knowing exactly what is causing the excessive ware. . . Each time, dealer indicates that "underinflation" or "alignment" issue - of which tire tread ware does not align with cause. Dealer still 'unsure' of what has caused issues, but 'is confident that it is good now'. At this point, without knowing the 'why' something is happening, and with dealer unable to determine root cause of problems, do not feel safe with my family in this vehicle.

Vehicle is on its 3rd steering rack in 6 months. The vehicle steering gets sloppy and pops when when going bad. Volkswagen refuses to issue a recall or take the vehicle.

Vehicle has 11k miles. Took the vehicle in to repair a tire with a nail. My alignment was off (I thought I was feeling a shake anyway). Had the alignment fixed but a week later (first time on the highway) my vehicle is shaking far too much to be the road. All tires are in good shape as they were checked during the alignment. Shaking does not occur while driving under 45 mph.

Purchased vehicle 4/18/2020. SUV was shaking and told the seller. They stated they would fix when they did the sticker and registration. Attempted to fix the shaking by road force balance. Was told was a flat spot so they replaced rims and tires with a set off another truck. Still shook and was pulling to right. They attempted fixing the tires and did road test balancing on 4 separate occasions. The truck still shakes excessively and pulls to the right. I contacted corporate and the dealer. They stated that they did what they could and no longer wish to do anything else. It is a safety concern as my wife and twin 16 month old girls will be in the SUV. We purchased it brand new and has been shaking since then. It shakes at 40-60 miles an hour. So highway speeds. It is not suitable to be driven on highways at those speeds.

Steering wheel column fully locked while parked. Was not able to turn the car on as the steering wheel had issues. Had to call a tow company to take it to the dealership for repairs. They had to replace the steering wheel column module.

Since we purchased our vehicle in 2019 the steering wheel will shake when turning the steering wheel. The vw service center claimed it was the clockspring and did the repair in early 2020 and the vehicle issue seemed improved with that repair. However, shortly after the same issue began and it has gotten much worse. I am concerned that if it is the clockspring then there can be a sudden serious issue depending on what is happening to the wiring with the clockspring. We have attempted several more times to get this issue fixed, but the vw service center claims to not detect the issue and on the last attempt refused to service the vehicle after having it for a week.

I bought my brand new Atlas in October. We decided on Atlas due to the great safety ratings. Within a few weeks, the Atlas was in the shop for O2 sensor #1. The check engine came on while driving on a state road. A few weeks later it was in for replacement of steering rack. The extremely loud noises started while driving on a state road. A few weeks after that the second O2 sensor replaced. The check engine came on while driving on a state road. Now I have an appointment to bring it in on Monday because the remote start that I use every morning stopped working Tuesday. As of today, it hasn't even hit 3,000 miles.