2019 Volkswagen Atlas electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V824000Nov 26, 201873,549 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 19, 2026FLElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Vehicle’s error stop sensor is no longer working: vehicle manages to just completely shut off mid traffic. Also, fuel tank failure. We put gas in it, but it doesn’t show the correct gas level in it. And we’re putting gas in it every day in order to think we have enough gas.

   NHTSA complaint #11765457 · source
2. Filed Sep 19, 2026CAElectrical SystemSeats & Seat BeltsWheels & Tires

   The plastic seat-release and folding handles on both sides of the second-row seats completely fractured, crumbled, and fell apart under ordinary hand pressure while attempting to fold the seats to install and access child safety restraint systems. This component failure exposes sharp plastic shards, which caused physical scratches/cuts to the operator, and physically restricts rapid or predictable access to the rear rows containing child car seats.Furthermore, the vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11765447 · source
3. Filed Jul 26, 2026PAElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   The infotainment display in this vehicle intermittently fails to power on, most often at startup. When this occurs, the screen remains dark while audio and physical controls continue to function. The vehicle sometimes must be restarted, and the display does not always return. When the display is dark, the rearview camera image is unavailable. This defect first occurred approximately three weeks after the vehicle was purchased as a manufacturer Certified Pre-Owned vehicle,…

   NHTSA complaint #11752918 · source
4. Filed Jul 22, 2026FLElectrical System

   I was stopped at a drive thru window and as I reached out to get my food, the window rose up by itself. As I drove home over the next ten minutes, the locks locked and unlocked by themselves and the windows rolled down and up by themselves. Warning lights came on and then went off, including "Fault: Electronic parking brake," and "Error:Airbag." The dash screen went off for a few seconds and then came back on.

   NHTSA complaint #11752193 · source
5. Filed Jun 12, 2026ALAirbagsElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   The air conditioning drain tube clogged and leaked into the air bag control module and caused an entire electrical failure in my car with air bag sensors, braking, windows rolling down, doors locking and unlocking automatically while driving, etc as well as the carpet getting mold.

   NHTSA complaint #11743656 · source
6. Filed Mar 10, 2026FLBrakesElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Component Failed: ABS Braking System / Wiring Harness. Safety Risk: While driving at highway speeds with my service animal, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic ABS failure. The brakes became unresponsive, and the dashboard displayed multiple critical safety warnings, nearly resulting in a collision. Confirmation: The failure was confirmed by Schumacher VW (West Palm Beach) during a forensic inspection. They identified the cause as a corroded/damaged wiring harness—the exact…

   NHTSA complaint #11723430 · source
7. Filed Mar 2, 2026FLElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The vehicle warning lights come on and off to make it seem like I am about to hit or to close to something when I am not moving at all. The vehicle putts and stalls while driving like it wants to cut off. It also does this when I am at a complete stop as well as if I am backing up Warning lights on the dash appear than disappear sometimes as well.

   NHTSA complaint #11721334 · source
8. Filed Mar 2, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine and the HVAC systems. Specifically, a persistent "ghost misfire"—where the engine vibrates and shudders without triggering a dashboard warning light—and a total heater failure. The vehicle is currently held at the dealership; all service records (RO# 367641, 367891, 367980, 368179) are available. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The…

   NHTSA complaint #11721328 · source
9. Filed Feb 27, 2026FLBrakesElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   I am reporting a critical safety failure of the ABS wiring harness following service at Jim Ellis Volkswagen. I originally brought the vehicle in for a "Front Assist" safety light diagnostic. Immediately following the service, the ABS wiring harness failed, disabling my braking safety systems. The dealership is currently withholding the diagnostic report and technician notes that would confirm the state of the wiring harness during their inspection. This failure has rendered…

   NHTSA complaint #11721018 · source
10. Filed Jan 1, 2026NJDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    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.

    NHTSA complaint #11708170 · source
11. Filed Dec 18, 2025TNElectrical System

    The radio keeps turning off and on and random stuff keeps popping up on the dash I have read that atlas models from 2019 to 2023 have wiring harness issues why Is there no recall for this and all research I have done with what is going on is leading up to a wiring harness issue

    NHTSA complaint #11705935 · source
12. Filed Aug 30, 2025MDElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    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.

    NHTSA complaint #11684060 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology