2019 Volkswagen Atlas steering problems

Related recalls

• Recall 26V590000Sep 11, 2026208,724 vehicles
  STEERING

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.

  Risk: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 2, 202668,000 miNJSteering

   The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormally loud rumbling sound coming from the front of the vehicle. Additionally, the steering wheel made an abnormal clicking sound while making a turn. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics on several occasions to be diagnosed, but the contact was informed that no failure was found. The failure became progressively worse. The vehicle was taken to an independent…

   NHTSA complaint #11768436 · source
2. Filed Sep 23, 2026TNSteering

   The steering wheel does a lot of shaking when turning or on any bumps/holes on the road/highway. The car tremors as the steering wheel shakes. Noisy tremors. And the wheels feel as if they wobble. This has recently been diagnosed at a independent mechanic but can be inspected if necessary. The dealer has not seen the car nor is insurance or police involved been yet. No warnings other than all the tremors and noise from the car. Not sure when they first started.

   NHTSA complaint #11766517 · source
3. Filed Sep 18, 2026GASteering

   The car began to make a clacking or popping sound in the steering rack area. Mostly at slow speeds, when turning. The car began exhibiting a steering wobble at very slow speeds, but felt loose at higher speeds. Initially I believed it might be a worn tie rod, but upon inspection I found the entire steering rack to be loose from the subframe. There is a recall bulletin for a corroded bolt that may break loose from the rack/subframe, but currently it is not showing for my vin.…

   NHTSA complaint #11765298 · source
4. Filed Sep 17, 2026ILSteeringSuspension

   May 2026 The entire steering rack assembly required replacement by the Volkswagen dealer. The vehicle was purchased from new in 2019. I’m the original owner of the vehicle, do mostly highway driving, and I have always serviced the vehicle appropriately. This was an expensive repair and seems rather unusual. I was notified that there are many complaints from owners for this type of problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11764912 · source
5. Filed May 27, 2026CTSteeringSuspensionWheels & Tires

   Vehicle experiences intermittent front end vibration and shaking at highway speeds, sometimes during light braking. The vibration feels similar to driving over rumble strips and can become strong enough to affect steering feel and driver confidence. The issue occurs intermittently and is more noticeable at higher speeds. Volkswagen dealership inspected the vehicle and recommended replacement of the steering rack and tie rod components. During the inspection, I was informed…

   NHTSA complaint #11740449 · source
6. Filed May 6, 2026SCBrakesSteering

   We purchased a 2019 Atlas in 2020 and recently had to take it to the dealership in [XXX] multiple times with no answers as to why the steering is shaking and the car vibrating at speeds over 50 mph. Apparently according to this complaint link, [XXX] it is very common and consumers have had the same poor response from their dealerships to fix this safety concern. I got a quite (PARTS ONLY) for $1181.85 and feel there is no way we are responsible for this cost to resolve an…

   NHTSA complaint #11736101 · source
7. Filed May 2, 2026CAOther / UnknownSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   Bad steering rack for 2019 Atlas VW. No recall announced but multiple vehicles having similar issues nationwide. Car has always had a small vibration in the steering and over time it has steadily gotten worst. I recently added new tires and an alignment. the problem is mechanical in nature and presents an extreme safety risk to the vehicle. The vehicle has been looked at multiple times in the past few years by a VW dealership. Nothing until recently has a problem been…

   NHTSA complaint #11735294 · source
8. Filed Mar 22, 2026GASteering

   Vehicle vibrates and rumbles at very low speeds and almost feels like the engine is giving out. I was told by my local VW dealership that the rack and pinion steering is failing and is the cause for this vibration. When attempting to have the problem resolved by their mechanics, I was told that it could take 30 days to get the part. After 60 days of waiting for the part, I cancelled the order and took my deposit back. I've recently learned that this part needed to replace…

   NHTSA complaint #11726222 · source
9. Filed Mar 18, 2026166,000 miDESteering

   The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving over a bumpy road surface at 5-10 MPH or at higher speeds, the front end of the vehicle shuddered significantly. The vehicle was taken to Firestone, where it was determined that the front stabilizer coupling rod had failed. The contact related the failure to Volkswagen Campaign Number: 40R1; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a…

   NHTSA complaint #11725171 · source
10. Filed Oct 23, 2025KSSteering

    The electronic steering gear is malfunctioning and making a clicking sound when the steering wheel is turned at 90-degree angles in either direction. The dealership (Bud Brown VW, Olathe, KS) advised me that they have had 3 VW Atlas vehicles with the same problem over the past month. I believe this is a manufacturer defect that could cause loss of steering and potential injury or loss of life.

    NHTSA complaint #11695172 · source
11. Filed Jul 10, 2025VASteering

    Driving at highway speeds when the vehicle hit certain bumps the front end would wobble and cause significant vibration and loss of control steering (death wobble). This was reproduced by both and independent shop as well as mechanics at West End Volkswagen in Henrico Virginia. They replaced the entire steering rack to resolve the problem. They stated while I was there that this was the second steering rack on an Atlas this week they had replaced. The problem started around…

    NHTSA complaint #11672627 · source
12. Filed Jul 3, 2025TXLightingOther / UnknownSteering

    ●Vehicle tries to pull me into a completely different lanes I have no intentions of trying to go into while on the highway ●Vehicle completely shut off WHILE DRIVING. Electrical panel flashed with all the lights then said to start Vehicle manually. ●Vehicle's gas saving feature when stopped, works intermittently and RANDOMLY, even with same applied brake pressure.

    NHTSA complaint #11671001 · 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