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2022 Volkswagen Atlas Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
41
Latest Aug 11, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
23%
of 175 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 41 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 41, in the owner's own words

BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 11, 2026

Software update for the vehicle. Since we have completed the update we have had issues with the Radio unit flashing in and out intermittenly and finally the unit went black and will not work at all. This is now showing multiple fault codes including. Engine control module 1 (U105400), Brakes 1(C102D00), Adaptive Cruise Control (U112100), Dash Board (U111000), Gateway (U105400), Telematics Communication Unit (B104914, U112100,B1916f4), Light Control Left 2 (U140700,C123AFA) Light Control Right 2 (C123AFA). None of these codes started till the System update happened.

NHTSA ID
11756322
Incident
Jul 31, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jul 27, 2026

While driving my 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, the infotainment system began malfunctioning. The audio stopped working intermittently, the touchscreen went black and displayed corrupted graphics, and the backup camera repeatedly cuts in and out or fails to display anything. Pressing the backup camera button can cause the infotainment system to shut down completely. I attempted to reset the system through a soft reset by pressing the power/volume button for 20+ seconds and when that didn't work I did a hard reset by disconnecting the battery for 15- 20 mins, but the issue persists. Because the camera is unreliable or unavailable when reversing or for my blind spots, I believe this creates a safety hazard by reducing rear visibility and increasing the risk of a backing collision and side collisions

NHTSA ID
11752976
Incident
Jul 2, 2026
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed May 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the emergency brake engaged without warning. All the warning lights were illuminated. The windows went up and down without application. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V152000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Volkswagen South Towne Service and Parts Department: 11000 Frontage Rd, South Jordan, UT 84095, where it was diagnosed that the driver door module had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who informed there was no warranty coverage and no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

NHTSA ID
11738050
Incident
Jul 1, 2022
Mileage
10,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Feb 19, 2026

I am filing a complaint regarding a premature failure of a critical safety-related lighting component on my 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The driver-side headlight daytime running light (DRL) has failed. After inspection by an authorized Volkswagen dealership (Momentum Volkswagen), I was informed that the DRL is not a serviceable component and that the entire headlight assembly must be replaced. This is concerning for several reasons: 1.The vehicle is a 2022 model year and has been properly maintained with no accidents or external damage. 2.The DRL is an integrated LED component that should reasonably last the life of the vehicle. 3.The failure of a non-replaceable LED strip forces replacement of the entire headlight assembly, resulting in excessive and unreasonable repair costs. I contacted Volkswagen Group of America requesting goodwill assistance, as this appears to be a premature component failure rather than normal wear and tear. Despite escalation and review with a supervisor, my request was denied. The only assistance offered was a 20% dealership discount, which does not adequately address the issue. I believe this situation reflects: •A potential design defect (non-serviceable LED component) •Unreasonable repair costs due to lack of modular repair options •Failure of a component that should not fail under normal conditions in such a short time frame Desired Resolution: I am requesting that Volkswagen provide goodwill assistance to cover a significant portion (preferably full coverage) of the headlight assembly replacement. Additionally, I encourage Volkswagen to review this design approach, as it places an unfair financial burden on customers for failures of non-serviceable components. I am seeking a fair and reasonable resolution consistent with customer satisfaction and product reliability expectations.

NHTSA ID
11719144
Incident
Feb 19, 2026
Electrical
Filed Feb 6, 2026

My remote start no longer works since the VW update. Intermittent electrical issues with “check tail light” message. VW has changed the light and module and it’s still happening.

NHTSA ID
11716186
Incident
Feb 6, 2026
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 4, 2026

Dangerous car cyput off in full engagement. Brakes grinding squealing an unfamiliar sounds. The engine has major rust in air intake valves the epc code shut car down in full engagement and you can not restart unless u put extra gas in. TE car was replaced with new seats new body new rugs an the color has been repainted. The screws in bolts are not lined up an junkyard parts under carriage of car. Unfortunately I didn't see all this when I fiancee it in May a machine showed me this an I bought a used lemon from Tampa Enterprise car sales in May 2025.645 a month in payment to ally banks. Car in shop more then on road anit has never ever been serviced as it was told to me as a pre certified car.they lied to me an restore almost everything in this car the dealership even questioned me about color coating comestic missing ve design on plated door. I need help

NHTSA ID
11715678
Incident
Nov 5, 2025
Electrical
Filed Dec 18, 2025

The infotainment system where the back up camera is held and all other safety features started re booting and eventually went black December 17th 2025. I brought into Volkswagen Riverhead NY dealer where they said there was an update that needed to be done and all was fixed. I am 1000 miles under warranty so all was covered. After driving about 20 minutes home the issue started happening again where the system was re booting and than eventually black. I called the dealer on the way home and they said oh yes its been a "known" issue on many makes of volkswagen since October 2025. They told me there was nothing they could do. I now called volkswagen customer care where they are stating they are un sure how to fix this. If you google you will see many complaints about this stemming back quite some time. I would like a resolution before my warranty runs out and I am than going to have to pay out of pocket.

NHTSA ID
11705950
Incident
Dec 18, 2025
Electrical
Filed Dec 16, 2025

The infotainment system on my 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SE failed completely at 58,435 miles. The screen goes blank/black and the system will not remain operational. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed by an authorized Volkswagen dealership (AutoNation Volkswagen of Hilton Head, Repair Order #434220). The dealer confirmed failure of the 5F Information Electronics (Infotainment) Control Module and recommended full module replacement. Volkswagen Customer CARE acknowledged the diagnosis but denied goodwill assistance solely because the vehicle was approximately 8,000 miles beyond the warranty period. No misuse, modification, water intrusion, or customer-caused damage was alleged. This failure renders core vehicle functions inoperable and is consistent with widely reported failures of Volkswagen/Audi infotainment control modules (5F / MIB / MMI systems). This appears to be a premature failure of a non-wear electronic control module and may represent a broader defect pattern affecting multiple vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11705408
Incident
Dec 16, 2025
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Nov 25, 2025

The vehicle has experienced multiple serious safety failures involving the steering, electrical system, and powertrain. Most recently, while driving, the steering wheel locked unexpectedly, causing a temporary loss of control. Multiple dashboard warning lights began flashing, and the EPC light turned on and off repeatedly. I had to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and restart the engine to regain control. The camshaft/camshaft position sensor and steering system appear to be malfunctioning, and the issues have recurred multiple times. The vehicle has been taken to a dealer for inspection and repairs several times, but the failures continue. These problems have created a serious safety risk, as loss of steering and erratic electrical behavior can lead to accidents, putting myself, passengers, and others on the road at risk. Warning lamps first appeared intermittently after prior repairs, but the steering wheel lock incident is the most severe event to date.

NHTSA ID
11701497
Incident
Nov 17, 2025
Electrical
Filed Oct 14, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 29,000. It was later discovered that the mileage was 56,279.

NHTSA ID
11693284
Incident
Oct 7, 2025
Mileage
56,279 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 7, 2025

Brakes are squealing and grinding noises when i break. This noises are present no matter the speed. VW Dealership from Kearny Mesa VW, San Diego, California USA. Engine: Start/Stop does shutdown during driving after the autostop system. Electric: Sensors is causing false alerts. I deactivated the system, because the system is constantly detecting alerts for no real threats,

NHTSA ID
11685519
Incident
Nov 25, 2024
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 29, 2025

Vehicle stalls at low speeds or at a stop while ldling. Requires car be put in park to restart. Dealerships unable duplicate. Issue is occurring with greater frequency. Causing an unsafe condition driving in traffic.

NHTSA ID
11683847
Incident
Aug 9, 2023
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Aug 9, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11679519
Incident
Aug 8, 2025
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 20, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11674884
Incident
Jul 20, 2025
Electrical
Filed Apr 30, 2025

our anti-theft alert kept being triiggered. doors on vehicle would not lock. normally while driving vehicle at around 10 mph the doors of the vehicle would automatically lock but now they will not lock. i tried to manually lock by pushing the lock button but no luck. Driving down the highway at the posted speed limit of 75 mph you could open the driver door ,front passenger door and both backseat doors. I took it to the VW dealership and the Asst service manager said it was a software issue and corrected it. Vehicle worked for about 6 weeks then we got the anti-theft alert and doors would not lock and going down the highway you could open. took back to VW dealership and they said it was a front door latch ,part number 5K1-837-015-J, was failing internally and was replaced and erased the faults. at the first incident vehicle had just over 52K miles and the repair it had 59245 miles. my biggest complaint it would allow you to open the vehicle while driving and if in a wreck all doors could potentially come open on impact

NHTSA ID
11657781
Incident
Jan 7, 2025
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 6, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11652984
Incident
Apr 2, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 14, 2024

The auto start function shuts my car off when I am stopped for a certain amount of time and will not turn back on. The first time it happened I was 10/7/2024 at a stop light in traffic and took it to the dealership to only be told it was a battery issue. I got the battery replaced and have since experienced the issue 3 more times. The night before Thanksgiving at midnight I was stopped on a hill where I could not shift my car in neutral. I had to sit on the road for 40 minutes before I could get my car back on. On the back country roads going to work(12/14), I again experienced the car shutting off at a stop light in the middle lane. I called the dealership to set up an appointment. They said they ran a diagnostic test on the car and only found the battery needed to be replaced. Nothing else. No matter where I am if I fail to manually turn off the auto start feature I risk my car randomly shutting off on me and not turning back on. I have maintained the maintenance on my car. There are no lights on until the auto start stops my car from turning on I will get an EPC light. Once the car sits for a while, I can start my car and the light doesn’t come back on. This is a major issue and I believe this is truly a manufacturing issue that should be resolved immediately.

NHTSA ID
11630742
Incident
Oct 7, 2024
ElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 19, 2024
Fire reported

While driving, the steering wheel warning light briefly flashed on my dashboard and then disappeared. Later, it came back on and stayed illuminated. A few minutes after that, my car caught fire, which spread to my garage and caused significant damage to my house.

NHTSA ID
11626293
Incident
Oct 26, 2024
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 28, 2024

I have owned this vehicle for not even a year and bought it as a family car. It only has 24k miles. I have had consistent problems with it since the purchase. The vehicle has shut off SIX times while I've been driving. The first time I was stopped at a stop light when my car shut off. I took it in for service and VW said they couldn't "replicate the issue" so they wouldn't do anything. It has shut off five more times since then. A few of the incidents I wasn't even stopped at a stoplight but was breaking to slow down and the car shut off. My airbag warning also pops on and off all the time. It dings constantly. I took it in for service and they told me the item was being recalled and there is no fix. I now cannot have passengers in my family vehicle. I have now learned that the car has oil leaking onto the engine. This vehicle is in warranty, so at least I won't have to pay for it but it is the most unreliable car I have ever owned. I have a five year old Subaru that has not had a single problem. I do not feel safe driving my Atlas, and I do not feel safe putting my child in it. I need to get a new reliable vehicle but I have a loan on the atlas. I feel stuck in a death trap. I will never buy a VW again.

NHTSA ID
11622298
Incident
Oct 26, 2024
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Oct 3, 2024

This vehicle is part of the 69PZ recall. The manufacturer has still not come up with a remedy for my vehicle. It has been close to four months, and I am not able to have anyone use the passenger seat because of this. The company is unwilling to offer any solutions. My passenger airbag light turns on and off and the check engine light is on and the dealership did not fix it.

NHTSA ID
11617828
Incident
Jul 16, 2024
Electrical
Filed Sep 19, 2024

I came to a stop at a red light and the car turned off/battery died. The car was stuck in the middle lane on a 3 lane road during rush hour. There was no warning of a low battery weeks and days before this issue. I had to push the car into a gas station that was luckily right besides the road with oncoming traffic. Again, I was in drive and came to a stop at a red light then the car died.

NHTSA ID
11615452
Incident
Sep 18, 2024
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Sep 6, 2024

I contacted VW several times about the faulty airbag sensor/electrical system not working. Was told parts not available. If I’m to get into a crash with a passenger. They will be severally injured due to this part not being available. Recall #24V464 Action Code #69PZ

NHTSA ID
11613097
Incident
Aug 30, 2024
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 3, 2024

Fuel, gas tank , start-stop, ignition faulty filter and fuel tank collapsing on itself. Diagnosed at dealership. Car stalled in road, at intersections and inability to start , almost rear-ended , and side collision at traffic lights. (With Children in car) break won't compress to start vehicle. They say they know of problem but don't have parts on hand to fix . And no recall cause they can't determine which ones got faulty parts so seen at dealership. Key fob battery was replaced and epc light came on. Immediately stalled in traffic. Wednesday 28th of August.

NHTSA ID
11612446
Incident
Aug 28, 2024
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the Central Processing Unit (CPU) screen occasionally went black. The air bag warning light would illuminate. The contact stated that the lights on the instrument panel would fail intermittently. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 42,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11610238
Incident
Jun 22, 2024
Mileage
42,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 23, 2024

Twice in the last month, while I was driving and slowing to a stop, my 2022 VW Atlas has randomly shut off while in Drive. This is an extremely dangerous situation as I have then had to put the car in neutral to get it started again. I was slowing to a light and had just passed a set of railroad tracks today. I was stuck just past the intersection in heavy traffic. My car is equipped with the “start/stop” feature; however, I had it off both times and was not at a complete stop. No warming systems prior to this happening, after the screen said “start the vehicle manually” I do have an appointment scheduled with my dealer on Thursday, July 25, 2024.

NHTSA ID
11604115
Incident
Jul 23, 2024

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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