Electrical System Problems of Volkswagen Atlas - part 2

Dangerous car cyput off in full engagement. Brakes grinding squealing an unfamiliar sounds. The engine has major rust in air intake valves the epc code shut car down in full engagement and you can not restart unless u put extra gas in. Te car was replaced with new seats new body new rugs an the color has been repainted. The screws in bolts are not lined up an junkyard parts under carriage of car. Unfortunately I didn't see all this when I fiancee it in may a machine showed me this an I bought a used lemon from tampa enterprise car sales in may 2025. 645 a month in payment to ally banks. Car in shop more then on road anit has never ever been serviced as it was told to me as a pre certified car. They lied to me an restore almost everything in this car the dealership even questioned me about color coating comestic missing ve design on plated door. I need help.

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While driving, the vehicle suddenly loses engine power and shuts off without warning. This has happened multiple times and creates a serious safety hazard because it happen in traffic multiple times . The problem appears to be related to the fuel pump control module and/or electrical wiring failure. Additionally, the power windows stopped functioning due to a failure in the driver door wiring harness, which is a known issue on this vehicle model year. The electrical malfunction and engine stall appear to be connected. This issue has been repaired because the dealership stated the warranty is expired, but this is a safety defect that can lead to a crash. There is also an open unrepaired recall on this vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection.

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Volkswagen has a bad software patch that has impacted vw Atlas' nationwide. Infotainment systems including the front and rear safety cameras as well as car controls are not accessible because the infotainment system is completely off. This is impacting the entire nation and dealerships are unable to provide updates. This is a huge safety concern. People will get hurt because of this outage.

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Software-related problem affecting the infotainment system and connected electronic sensors, including the loss of backup camera, loss of dash screen control information (black out). Loss of defrost control since it is part of hvac system controlled by video screen. Loss of sensors front and rear. Dealer has seen the car. We have called a week later. No expectation of a fix or timetable.

The info system screen goes blank. It will intermittently go off and return on before shutting off completely. The info screen is the only way to operate the air controls. This makes the vehicle unsafe to operate when conditions require air adjustments to keep a clear windshield. This issue also causes numerous dash alerts. Rear and front collision plus maneuver braking.

All of the lights keep coming on for all of our systems. Collision avoidance, cruise control, automatic braking, blind spot. Radio screen goes black and cannot work anything on car including heat. Car will just randomly go into limp mode. Very unsafe for this to happen while driving on highway.

The infotainment center is not working- the screen is black. I am unable to see any of my cameras, change my air/heat- it is currently set to cold and it is freezing when I drive my car, I can’t use my map or hands free calling. This is very unsafe and none of the safety features are working.

The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the infotainment display unit was inoperable. During the failure, the back over prevention camera display was inoperable along with the front and rear window defrosters, and blind spot monitoring system being inoperable. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that a satellite system issue had caused the failure on several different model vehicles. No further information was available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 5,500.

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Circuit malfunction- faulty wiring causing abs, and epc damage and defects.

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I am submitting this complaint to report ongoing safety-related defects with my Volkswagen vehicle that remain unresolved despite multiple attempts through the manufacturer and an authorized dealership. The vehicle has experienced recurring and unpredictable issues including warning lights activating without explanation, sensor malfunctions, abnormal and recurring brake noises, and the infotainment/vehicle information system intermittently failing to power on or experiencing complete blackouts during operation. These issues occur during normal driving and present potential safety concerns by distracting the driver, limiting access to vehicle information, and raising concerns regarding braking reliability and electrical system stability. I previously filed a formal complaint directly with Volkswagen regarding these defects and have received no meaningful response, resolution, or follow-up. I also brought the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealership for inspection. Despite review, no permanent repair was completed and the same defects continue to occur. I was not provided a clear explanation, corrective action, or assurance that the vehicle is safe for continued operation. I have documentation showing that these issues are not isolated to my vehicle. Identical brake noises and infotainment system blackouts have been widely reported by other Volkswagen owners across social media platforms and reddit community groups, suggesting a broader or systemic defect. In addition, I personally possess videos and photographs documenting the brake noises, infotainment blackouts, warning lights, and electrical irregularities affecting my vehicle. This evidence is available upon request, and I am prepared to provide follow-up information as needed. Given the repeated failures, lack of manufacturer response, and corroborating reports from other owners, I am requesting that this complaint be formally recorded and evaluated by the NHTSA.

My 2024 Volkswagen Atlas se began collecting visible moisture inside the rear tail light assembly less than 18 months after purchase. Over time, this led to intermittent lighting failure, sometimes the lights function, sometimes they don’t. This is a safety concern, especially at night or in poor weather. After researching the issue, I found that this is a widely reported problem among vw Atlas owners and has even been referenced in vw’s own technical service bulletin 94-22-01, which is published in the NHTSA database. The bulletin calls this “normal condensation,” but this is beyond that there is visible water pooling and electrical malfunction and I know of others who report the same thing. Vw is down playing this to avoid the recall. Despite being under extended warranty, this is not covered because vw considers it cosmetic unless there’s proven seal failure. The vehicle is available for inspection and has been evaluated by a certified vw service center. Volkswagen needs to address this as a design or sealing defect, especially when it affects vehicle safety systems like brake and signal lights.

Hood release cable has snapped resulting in inability to access critical components on the vehicle or do routine maintenance. After researching, this is a common and know issue for this vehicle.

Without warning, carnet stops working. This is unsafe because folks get faulty directions, which causes concerns and confusion and the following safety features do not work without warning, automatic crash notification, manual emergency call, roadside assistance, anti-theft detection, and stolen vehicle location assistance. An online search reveals a ton of issues with this since they started offering carnet. Also, module “burned up due to bad luck” per southpoint Volkswagen dealership in baton rouge.

I bought the car in 2023 with 700 miles on it. Since then when coming from a stop the engine delays for about 5-10 seconds when pushing the gas, it eventually goes and happens often but not every time. Another issue is when coming to a stop the car turns off without any warning. When you try to go you have to put it back in park and start the car again. This has happened about ten times in two years. The last couple of times it has happened more regularly and in dangerous situations. I have brought it to two different dealerships as I have a 5 year warranty. First one told me they couldn’t replicate the issue but only drove the car 1 mile. Second drive it 30 miles and also told me there was nothing they could do. I started a case with vw and they called back saying they may have an idea and I need to bring it back for a third time but they have silent since. They also refused to tell me what it was they wanted to check.

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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.

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Two main issues. . . The automatic breaking will break in the most random spots. There is no car around but it reacts to certain ways the lines are painted on the road is my guess. It will do it to some cross walks as well as some round abouts. I've had to just turn it off so it doesn't kill me. Also, another issue is the battery. I just had the battery checked and it is good but when the the fuel gets below quarter taken the car will not crank. This has happened 3 times now.

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The autonomous braking activates out of no where while driving. Violently hard and nothing around. A message appears on the dash board saying it can not sense hands on steering wheel. Also while backing up it will activate and no one is near the car or it even activates in an empty parking lot. The car jolted so hard when this happens and everyone went flying forward. No . . The dealer has had the car for 8 days and says they can not replicate the problem. He asked me for permission to drive it to land o lakes and I said no the car is very dangerous and that is a huge liability . I gave them permission to drive it around local only. No the vehicle has only been inspected by the dealer. He said since they can not replicate it he can not have a mechanic from Volkswagen assigned to it. No nothing appeared only after. Also, the brakes squeak and sound like it’s grinding on metal like a very old car. Also the front assist beeps loud when nothing is in front of the car. Also, when I go to start the car at times, it will not detect the key. I will bring the second key and it will not detect the second key also. Also the radio screen constantly disconnects everything and it will turn black and then display 0000 with a date of April 6 2025. Also while driving the app will say the door is open. The trunk is open the windows open when everything is closed. That also happens at 2 am or 3 am. It will say the trunk is open. The door is open and everything is closed.

The daytime running light strip in the headlight fails. Identical failure to the Honda accord - which had a recall/warranty extension issued.

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

Engine randomly stops while driving, in the middle of the road, warning says to manually restart engine. Happens with auto start/stop on or off. Lastest incident, while entering an intersection turning left, engine stopped, said to manually restart, steering locked up so could not steer the vehicle. This particular incident was very dangerous put me in the middle of a lot of traffic, in an intersection. Car is basically unsafe to drive at this point. Had it towed.

The engine shut-off while still driving between 10-15 mph when entering a gas station and turning uphill. Cannot say for certain, but the vehicle behaved similar to when the "start-stop" engine system activates. Electrical seemingly remained on, could not accelerate, and the dashboard requested something along the lines of needing to "restart. " similar scenario occurred the day prior but this time we were completely stopped. Came to a stop, attempted to accelerate, and the dashboard was referencing the same warning as above. This could clearly cause a major accident especially when it occurs while still moving at a respectable speed. Vw offers a switch to turn off this system, but the system does not keep the setting once the vehicle is turned off. It automatically activates upon ignition. Ironically, the failure of unwanted & over-complicated engineering cannot be permanently switched off by the vehicle remembering the last setting unless you wish to spend $100 from a third-party. Hopefully my wife remembers to press the magic button every time she turns on the vehicle.

I was driving on the freeway in the right lane and the lane assist forced my steering wheel to turn right causing me to collide into a concrete guard rail. Previous to that my car had been having electrical malfunctioning issues with the screen and radio.

My 2023 vw Atlas is stalling out in high temperatures. When you mash the accelerator, at times the vehicle will not go. From my online research, many others are experiencing this same issue and have found resolution involving charcoal canister + purge solenoid, fuel pressure sensor and software updates. The evap and fuel system could be tested manually. However, vw says because no codes show up, there is nothing wrong with the vehicle and will not provide any help whatsoever to me. This is going to get someone killed. I have taken to local dealer plus reached out to vw corporate with no help. My car is under warranty.

While driving 25 mph with no traffic or people around the car came to an extreme sudden stop and without warning. The dashboard lit up red with warning lights and warning alarms sounded followed by complete shutdown of cars systems. No skidding or tire screach - just an instant forceful stop, as if engine cutoff and breaks forcefully seized simultaneously. We were able to restart car and immediately drove to dealership a couple miles away to report an extreme safety concern. Because there was no traffic or people around we feel it has something to do with a sensor and the automatic breaking system. The car was dropped at local dealership (lowcountry Volkswagen - mount pleasant SC) for inspection. This was a dramatic event and safety for driver and others was put at risk due to such a forceful stop. We have serious concerns driving vehicle. What would. Happen of system failed driving at higher speeds or if traffic was around? vehicle has been at dealership for 1 day and problem has not been duplicated. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance but can be made available. Dashboard lit up with red warning lights at time of incident. There were no warning lights or messages prior to incident.

There is a yellow triangle on my dash and when the dealer did the troubleshooting they indicated that there is a fault in the system with the transmission shifter and a part is needed to correct the issue. The vehicle is just beyond the warrantee period with 39,000 miles.

Sos light is on and my vw will not connect to my vw app. The call module has failed. Yes, I paid to get a diagnostic test and it was confirmed that it failed. If I get into and accident I will not be able to receive help. All of my friends have the same issue with vw. Some have paid to have it fixed some have not. I was driving and the sos went off. When I pushed it to call and see what happened they stated that something with the satellite triggered it and I had to take it into the dealer ship now to have it fixed.

When I went to start my vehicle on 6/26/25, I noticed that the instrument cluster was stating an error: "compass is not available". The vehicle continues to go through an entire list of items not available. Including the radio and infotainment system, navigation. I should also mention that the dash also was showing that the outside camera was not available to me. I live in a small town and shopping is very limited and I drive 32 miles for decent groceries and clothes for my family, and I rely on that radio for company, sometimes, and for weather and traffic so if I don't have these items I could get stranded in the middle of the desert. No one has looked at the car yet for this problem. I have no clue how this happened.

Pulling into a parking, backing out of my driveway on to the road, rolling with my foot off the gas preparing to brake the car shut off in gear. It is very dangerous happening when we back out of the driveway on to the road having to shift to park and manually restart the car. It happens with the auto shut off both on and off. This is a big issue that needs resolved before someone gets seriously hurt.

Had a rear door open on the vehicle and secured my [xxx] into his car seat. Remote started the vehicle though vw carnet app and placed my things inside then closed the door. Command from the app then locked the doors and did not start it. My [xxx] was trapped in the vehicle during a heatwave 98 on that day. Called 911 and my partner after getting help for someone near by and lucky he was able to unlock it with his phone remotely. My partner is a service tech for a different auto manufacturer and he was able to isolate and duplicate this unsafe concern. Vehicle will not lock or start with front doors or hatch open. But with only rear doors open it will lock and not start. Brought vehicle to local vw dealer and confirmed concern with them. They said car shouldn't lock if it isn't starting. They contacted technical assistance and they had them try this concern on other like vehicles and they verified that all vws will lock rear doors when open and not start when using app. Vw tech support said it must be normal operation. They advised me to contacted customer care and they said if no faults were found then no problem exists. Clearly the problem is children and animals can get trapped in the car but they said it was working as designed. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Daytime running headlights went out.

I’ve owned the vehicle for less than 60 days. The vehicle currently has 2000 miles however, the vehicle has placed us in danger due to the inability to charge the battery. The lack of battery voltage also makes the ac inoperable on 100 degree temps. During an attempted repair it was noticed the fuse box has melted. Technicians are uncertain the cause of this issue. They are uncertain if it’s an electrical issue or due to the alternator. They’ve had the car for over a week with no clear definitive plan and no communication. The car doesn’t reliability start and the possibility of fire is clear based on components that are melting.

The power window switches on this 2025 Volkswagen Atlas have repeatedly malfunctioned. The switches fail to operate windows consistently and have been brought to an authorized vw dealer for repair on three or more separate occasions without successful resolution. The defect has been confirmed and documented by the dealer on each visit but remains unresolved. Faulty window switches present a safety risk as they impair the driver’s ability to ventilate the vehicle, communicate with others outside the vehicle, and in an emergency, may prevent occupant egress or entry of emergency responders. The component is available for inspection upon request.

We bought a 2021. 5 Volkswagen Atlas that, starting around 15,000 miles, began having computer-related issues that were reported but never truly repaired. Over time, those issues escalated into serious drivability and safety problems. Beginning in mid-2025, the car started driving poorly. It had hesitation, dragging, poor fuel economy, and then began stalling, sometimes at idle and sometimes while driving. At first, repairs like a battery replacement were tried, but they did not fix the problem. In August 2025, the car stalled on the interstate in nashville with flashing epc and check engine lights and would not restart. Our family, including our children, was stranded in an unsafe situation. The car had to be towed, and a fuel pump was replaced. Even after that repair, the stalling and warning lights continued. Later in August, when the car continued to stall, don jacobs Volkswagen told us the problem was a warranty-covered evap (carbon) canister and that repairing it should resolve the issue. It did not. In December 2025, the car stalled again with flashing warnings and was deemed unsafe to drive. It was towed back to don jacobs, where a second fuel pump replacement was performed. In January 2026, the check engine light came on again and the car was returned to the dealership. At that time, we were told the evap canister had been left unattached from prior testing, not from the most recent repair. Since then, the vehicle has continued to drive poorly, with ongoing hesitation and dragging. In total, the vehicle has been in the shop four times, including three visits to the same dealership, and no one has been able to diagnose or permanently repair it. The dealership has told us they cannot proceed unless specific fault codes appear, even though the vehicle continues to malfunction and send diagnostic alerts through the Volkswagen app. Because of the repeated stalling, unresolved repairs, and lack of a clear path to fix the problem, we do not feel the vehicle.

Ecm light came on, while going 60+ on expressway. Car lost ability to accelerate and began to sputter. Unable to adjust speed and had to pull over to shoulder in fast moving traffic.

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.