This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My vehicle has been to the dealership multiple times for incorrectly stalling, revving RPMS at uphill turns and rough idling with no corrective action taken. initial issues started around 30k miles and the dealership continued to tell me nothing is wrong because engine light was not on. I recently went over a speed bump in a school zone. My vehicle stalled and my engine light came on. Initial code was P0446 error code indicates an evaporative emission control system (EVAP) vent control circuit malfunction. The N80 purge valve and charcoal canister were to blame for this uneasy safety issue. I was told at the dealership that my charcoal canister might malfunction if i overfill my vehicle with gas which made me realize, this may have been the initial issue. I put gas until it clicks off but i have noticed my vehicle went from filling up with 16.5 gallons to stopping at 18-19 gallons. I have also noticed when i park my car and my gas is close to the empty line it shoots back up just a bit next time i turn on my vehicle. Now I am monitoring my gas gauge as this may be faulty and what caused all the safety issues I was experiencing. I drive my car very scared these days not knowing when it will randomly turn off on me while driving.
Frequently, the carbon/graphite canister causes issues - even the VW mechanic has admitted to me personally that it's a poor design. Other people mention this same issue here [XXX] This issue has caused safety issues for us several times during the time I've owned this vehicle. The vehicle can stall while backing up, or (less commonly) while driving forward at full speed. This did happen to us two years ago while driving over a bridge, the vehicle completely stalled while coming down the bridge on a highway. Fortunately we were able to pull off and restart the car which resolved the issue; we had to bring it into the dealership and they replaced the carbon canister. It's also happened while backing up out of parking spots and other times when the vehicle is in motion. This issue is common and VW has issued an extended warranty to cover the expenses incurred by this common issue, but they haven't recalled it, fixed it, or changed the design on newer cars either. I had to bring my car back today for this and am currently waiting for the parts - so here I have to drive it for at least another week while fully at risk of causing an issue; they also refused to give me a different car. Driving this car with such a frequent dangerous issue makes me wish I'd never bought a Volkswagen. I now need to get a different car purely because of this issue, so it's really just not right what VW is doing here. They need to be forced to fix this issue - I am not comfortable driving it or another VW knowing about this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine stalled again, no warning, no check engine light, nothing when coming to a slow stop. Had to place vehicle in park, shut ignition off, open driver side door, close door. Only then I was able to start the car. This is the second time this happened.
Vehicle stalled and shut off 5 times while driving in past month. Took it to VW Dealership. They said low voltage on battery could make the stop/start feature not able to restart car. They also stated fuel injector #3 error was showing on diagnostic machine. After replacing battery, spark plugs, and gasket ($2300), dealership says that fuel injector error still showing and would cost $1400 to replace. They said it is recommended and my car shutting off is fixed with battery replacement. 24 hours after picking up from dealership, car shut off AGAIN. I have read on forums this is a known issue and many have resolved issue with evap cannister (charcoal) replacement. This is a big safety issue and VW needs to remedy issue as a recall
- Houston, TX, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
My 2021 VW Atlas SE died at a drive thru again. And when I took my foot off the break, it didn-??t start back up. I completely panicked. At start up initially I disable the start/stop as usual. At this stop sign, my engine completely shut off, dash said to manually start. I tried to pull off but my car just jolted as if I had the park break on. I hit the start button but nothing. I had to put it in park then start again. But I had to wait for traffic to pass and it killed again on me. I put it in park again, start button then was able to pull away. This happens randomly every few weeks with no warning. Pulling into a car wash, bank atm, drive thru, etc... I've taken it to multiple VW dealers who tell me that if they can't get it to recreate the issue, there's nothing they can do. But it's random and unpredictable. They told my wife to whip out her phone and try to get a video of when it happens again. Again, not possible. I printed off dozens of threads of other VW Atlas customers experiencing this exact issue but they told me they can't go off of crap I find on the internet. I called all 6 VW dealers within an hour away and NONE of them have ever heard of this happening which I find highly unlikely. I've chatted in with VW care team and they gave me the exact same thing, no repairs until they can recreate it. This is a huge safety issue. You think you'd be more worried about the liability issues here if you were VW.
Vehicle stalled on highway while driving. Vehicle stalled on secondary highway while driving. Check engine light came on and vehicle inspection revealed fuel level sensor A circuit range performance. Mechanical fuel pump failure.
When coming to a stop, the car RMP's fluctuate up and down, jerk/jolt, and stall while still in drive. The only way to restart the vehicle is to put it into park and then hit start. Sometimes, vehicle status indicates a start/stop error, but no check engine light would come on. I have a huge safety concern about this because the vehicle is in motion when it stalls, and the only way to restart is to put it in park. This causes the flow of traffic to stop abruptly, increasing the outcome of an accident.
Engine cuts off at slow speeds or at a stop. Engine failure requires placing vehicle in park and restarting. This occurs at least once per day. Display notes that vehicle requires manual restart. Took to dealer and they advised nothing was wrong.
Low Pressure in Tank Fuel Pump Failed - Car Towed to Dealer Vehicle lost all power at speed on highway Informed by dealer that issue is not uncommon, 1,800+ fuel pumps on backorder No warning prior to failure
The EPC light came on and caused the vehicle to stop working, steering, brakes, sped, were affected immediately as I was on the interstate.car was basically limping. I dropped car off at dealer and they said it was misfiring due to bags gas. Car has 8000 miles and was only 9 months old. Repairs cost over $2000 and they said it was not covered under warranty as the fuel injector was damaged after what they said is bad gas. It is a know issue the fuel injectors are bad with the VW atlas. The government needs to stop VW from selling vehicles in the states and needs to recall the atlas for safety issues as this caused me to almost crash my car due to a faulty fuel injector!
3200 miles on vehicle and ECP light came on. Heavy smell of gasoline and vehicle went into limp mode. Gas was pouring out the bottom of the hot engine and dripping onto the ground below. Opened the engine hood and there was lots of smoke or steam. Seriously concerning for a fire.
This is the second time I've had the same issue with the fuel injectors. This time I was driving with my two children in the car when I started the car the start-stop assist error came on again and I smelled gasoline. The EPC and check engine lights then came on. I immediately pulled over and got the kids out of the car and away from the car as the gasoline smell was very strong. I checked under the car and it was again leaking gasoline. This is obviously a very big safety risk. There is a large risk of fire from the fuel leaking around an ignition source as well as the fumes and headaches me and my children suffered due to the gasoline fume exposure in an enclosed space. I again called a tow truck and they towed it to the dealership. I called and they said it was indeed the fuel injectors again and they will do a more thorough check this time. I will elevate the issue with VW.
After starting the car, saw a start-stop assist error, but car seemed to start up normally. The car was slow to accelerate. Then a strong smell of gasoline followed by the EPC and check engine light. Pulled the car over and turned it off. Very strong smell of gasoline. Then noticed the gasoline leaking under the car. My safety was definitely put at risk as fuel leaks around ignition sources can cause fires. Luckily this time I was alone in the car. Had the vehicle towed to the dealership. Was told the issue was the fuel injector and happened at the factory. Manufacturer is aware of the issue. Dealership has replaced the fuel injector.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Corpus Christi, TX, USA