Electrical System Problems of Volkswagen Atlas - part 2

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

See all problems of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

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.

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.

See all problems of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas 🔎.

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 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.

Automatic braking engaged with no other traffic in area, also dash display flashes as if electrical problem exists. Info screen also turns to distorted pixels also indicating electrical issues. Vw dealer rep acknowledges there is an issue with the info screen and was expected to be fixed by January 2025(did not happen). I do not feel the vehicle is safe with the electronic braking issue.

Was operating vehicle when all of a sudden it stop in the middle of the highway. Engine turned iff. Was able to crank back up but vehicle would not shift into drive, reverse or any motion gear. Vehicle stopped in the morgue of an active roadway which created an absolute critical safety issue due to oncoming traffic. Was able to push vehicle from the roadway in neutral but transmission will not otherwise engage. Very high probability that this issue could have resulted in serious car accident if vehicle had became disabled at a high speed.

While on road, waiting to turn left across oncoming traffic, numerous dashboard lights went off, warning messages for tcm and esc systems and car would not move forward with pressing on accelerator. As if the car was in neutral.

On my 2023 Atlas se the led running light on both sides have stopped working over the last 2 and a half years. The replacement cost for these running lights-including installation is $1500-1800 per light. It has been well noted on the internet sites that thousand of Volkswagen owners over the last 5 years or so have had to replace the same "running lights" ,at a very steep price. Because of soft-ware programming involved in replacing these lights, Volkswagen is the only source for their repair. The part number is 3cn941035e for the drivers side and 3cn9410036e for the passenger side. These parts need to be revised as defective and a recall or continued replacement plan initiated. Thank you.

I continue to receive an error message to " check rear tail light " . . . I have had the actual light and wiring assembly replaced. The error message continues. I have taken it to two vw dealerships - neither of which know how to fix the problem, and can only suggest days of a wild goose chase to find the problem. One dealership opined that the wiring was coroded, which was causing the error message. This raises other safety concerns of fire, etc.

Vehicle was stopped at a traffic light and running. Once the light turned, the vehicle shut off immediately after the accelerator pedal was depressed. Transmission had to be shifted to park to restart the engine. This happened three (3) times at the same light. This is the fourth incident in the last six (6) months.

Radio shut off while passing a gas station which becomes a hassle while traveling and can be dangerous.

Error start/stop, vehicle has been stalling while moving at a slow speed or while idle, sitting in a drivethru ordering food,pulling into parking spot or turning off of the road at the light. The vehicle stalls out you have to put it in park to restart . Very dangerous especially while in the road. Just purchased vehicle February 3rd 2025, have had other issues very same night ,check left taillight kept coming on, but taillight not out, took to dealership ery next morning, they stated could not duplicate, nothing they can do, it is still doing it. Brakes when backing out started making a noise now too.