2019 Volkswagen Atlas: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 437 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the airbags, electrical, and automatic emergency braking. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019- Owner complaints
- 437
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes reported
- 6
- 9 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Volkswagen Atlas: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/5
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Atlas is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 19 mpg |
- The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Atlas that averages well under the EPA 19 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Steering column and rack noise
4,400–10,000 miles
Unexplained coolant loss
8,860–15,000 miles
False automatic emergency braking
13,500–23,000 miles
Water pump coolant leaks
64,505–75,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Airbags1231 crash
The "Error: Air Bag" warning comes on with no crash, often from the front passenger occupant sensor. Some owners see it many times a day, whether the seat is empty or not. Most reports involve recall 23V215000. Dealers say remedy parts are unavailable, and owners are told to keep the front passenger seat empty while they wait. Some warnings return after the recall repair. Other reports cite a faulty driver seat belt tensioner or water in the control module from an A/C drain. One crash report describes front and side airbags that did not deploy.
Electrical631 crash
The electronic parking brake and automatic braking engage on their own, sometimes bringing the car to a full stop in traffic. Several reports pair this with windows rolling down by themselves and a burst of warnings for the parking brake, hill assist and start/stop. Some owners report sore necks and shoulders from the sudden stops. Another common pattern is the engine shutting off at low speed or at lights, with a stop/start error and a prompt to restart manually. Dealers often find no fault codes. Owners suspect the wiring harness, and one repair replaced the carbon canister.
Automatic emergency braking381 crash
Automatic emergency braking slams on with nothing ahead, in intersections, on bridges, over raised road plates and even in reverse. Most events happen at city speeds, and drivers describe near rear-end collisions and the risk of being hit while stuck in an intersection. Adaptive cruise control often shows an error and stops working, which dealers call a calibration issue. Service departments frequently find no error codes and offer no fix beyond turning the system off. One crash report describes a rear-end collision in stop-and-go traffic after the system threw warnings while adaptive cruise was on.
Brakes35No crashes
A "Brake Booster Faulty" warning flashes with brake and ABS lights. The car then brakes hard on its own, and the pedal turns spongy, jerky or hard to press. Events happen at low speeds and on the highway, including one sudden slowdown from 60 to 20 mph. The parking brake also engages by itself at stoplights or shows failure messages at startup. Dealers replace vacuum sensors or the wiring harness, but the problem often returns, and harness parts have been backordered. Owners report near rear-end collisions.
Steering30No crashes
Severe shaking, a front-end wobble over bumps at highway speed, and pulling to one side point to a failing rack. In new cars, the column clicks, creaks, pops or groans when turned, and some racks are replaced by about 10,000 miles. Many reports center on replacement racks stuck on national backorder for months, with no loaner offered. Some owners are told the car is safe to drive while they wait. One report describes a locked column that kept a car under 3,000 miles from starting.
Transmission271 crash
The drivetrain grinds or squeals for a few seconds when pulling away from a stop at low speed, sometimes with hesitation. Dealers often say nothing can be done. Other reports describe repeated transmission oil cooler adapter leaks, harsh or delayed shifts ending in a failed transmission with metal in the pan, and losing power at about 60 mph with EPC and check engine lights. Coolant leaks from the water pump show up around 75,000 miles. In one crash report, the car rolled into a tree after it was switched off in Drive with no warning.
Engine26No crashes
Coolant goes missing with no visible leak, and the low-coolant warning returns every few days or months, often between about 8,400 and 15,000 miles. Dealers often say the coolant evaporates. One car needed a cylinder head and gaskets for a warped head. The engine also stalls when slowing or stopped, even with stop/start off, and asks the driver to restart manually. Some reports describe lost power at highway speed with the EPC light. A failed right engine mount has been unavailable, with a dealer waitlist of about 300 vehicles.
Acceleration and cruise control72 crashes
Adaptive cruise control shuts off and the car brakes hard at highway speeds, around 50 to 75 mph, with collision warnings and nothing ahead. Other owners say adaptive cruise shows an error and never works, and dealers say they cannot fix it. Two crash reports describe surges: a stuck accelerator with brakes that did not respond, which injured 2 people, and a lurch forward in a drive-thru line with the brake pressed. Another report describes stability control braking the car almost to a stop after a compact spare was fitted.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Atlas owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Vehicles stalls randomly all the times ,moving or not . Almost got rear ended several times . Spent 3k at Vw in Brandon for brakes that were only 70k miles on them . But they still squeal . Can’t fuel with gas as the pressure just pushes the fuel back at me . Seems worse in warmer weather . Vw said they would not touch the charcoal canister as that what I’ve deemed is the issue.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
It has been over 9 months since VW issued a recall of the front passenger airbag. We were instructed not to use the front passenger seat. With children and sports equipment to haul around it is extremely inconvenient, bordering on making the vehicle obsolete with an inability to use the front passenger seat. We have not heard anything from VW regarding a fix and they have not responded to my attempts to contact them.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
Vehicle will get a stop/start error and stall at low speeds in traffic or at stop lights/signs. Have to put vehicle in park and manually restart. had the same issue at 20k miles and they replaced the carbon canister. This time they won’t replace it until the error code shows. Truly a safety hazard and I can not put my kids back in this car
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
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.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
Vehicle's autonomous emergency braking system activates without any reasonable cause (nothing in front of the vehicle). Often the system doesn't apply the brakes, it will just alert (red logo in instrument cluster screen). However, sometimes the brakes will immediately apply. This occurs sporadically without warning on multiple streets, up to 20 miles per hour.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2022
When driving the forward collision warning comes on, beeps loudly and applies the vehicle brakes when nothing is in front of the vehicle. This caused someone to almost run into the rear of my vehicle. Also, if I use the automatic start feature of my vehicle, the cruise control feature is not available once the car is in motion and will not work until the car has been shut off and restart via the start button inside the car.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2022
Suddenly Warning lights illuminate- Brake Booster Faulty, Start Error, ABS. Brakes then feel spongy, jerky hard to slow down and stop safely. Vehicle then needs to be towed to dealership for repair - vacum sensor C10A301 replaced. This has happened three times 4/22/21, 8/5/21 and 6/7/23. Dealership claims to need the part for refund from VW for warranty repair. This is a dangerous situation and needs to be remedied, especially as this is a family car.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2023
I was sitting at a stoplight when the vehicles in front of me started moving forward. I took my foot off the break so that I could roll forward slowly and my emergency brake engaged without me pushing the emergency brake button. At first I thought I had been hit from behind because I was jolted forward but when I looked at my dash the red PARK light was lit. And then turned off on its own.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2022
How the 2019 compares with other Atlas years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 ranks third for owner complaints among 8 Atlas years, about 1.8 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Airbags12334
- Electrical6364
- Automatic emergency braking388
- Brakes3526
- Steering307
- Transmission279
Where the 2019 fits in the Atlas's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the second model year of the Atlas's first generation (2018–2024).
Volkswagen updated the Atlas for 2021, so a 2019 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2021 (not on a 2019)
- New front end
- Redesigned wheels
- New rear lights
- New steering wheel
Recalls to confirm (11)
Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
23V671000AirbagsOct 2023
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side impact air bag may be missing a weld at the side air bag housing.
Risk: The driver's side impact air bag could deploy improperly or detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side impact air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FK.
23V215000AirbagsMar 2023
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.
22V815000Wheels and tiresOct 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems.".
Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
22V152000AirbagsMar 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.
Risk: A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97GF.
22V086000EquipmentFeb 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.".
Risk: Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install the reduced GVWR label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 09D9.
21V142000Wheels and tiresMar 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44R1.
19V614000Fuel systemAug 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The suction jet in the fuel tank may have been welded in the incorrect position allowing fuel to leak. Additionally, the vehicle may stall due to uneven fuel distribution.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BU.
19V389000Exterior lightsMay 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
19V218000AirbagsMar 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.
Risk: In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y8.
18V904000SuspensionDec 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
Risk: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J2/42J3.
18V824000ElectricalNov 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection.".
Risk: If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
Also looking at these instead of a Atlas?
Cars shoppers compare with the Volkswagen Atlas, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
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