Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 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.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
My car has started to stall out when I am stopped at a sign, light, reversing or a low idle. When I change to reverse from park, the car stalls. I have to put it back in park start and try to reverse again. Same thing happens when I go from reverse to drive. I have done a little research online, and a lot of these 2023 Volkswagen Atlas’s has this issue.
2023 Volkswagen Atlas R-Line. While driving (moving) on a congested road the vehicle signaled "Please start engine manually" the gas pedal became unresponsive. Power steering, radio, A/C, all still worked, but I had to come to a complete stop to restart engine. The same thing has happened multiple times now with the last one being in the middle of the road trying to complete a U-turn. This is incredibly dangerous for not only my family but others on the road not expecting a vehicle to stall. This has been identified by multiple other owners on-line. There is no warning or change in operation of the vehicle prior to the message coming up. This could lead to a crash, or worse a fatality.
Lost complete control of both the brake and the throttle while attempting to pull into a parking spot at low speed. Car started to roll backwards down a hill and I was unable to stop it. Had to cycle the car off and back on to fix it. Took it to a VW dealership service department and they reported no fault codes so there was nothing they could do. No check engine light or fault codes.
While driving, the vehicle stalls and shuts off completely without warning, creating an immediate safety hazard. This engine stalling occurs randomly at various speeds, including while actively operating the vehicle in traffic. There is no Check Engine Light (CEL), malfunction indicator, or dashboard warning prior to the stalling event, depriving the driver of any advanced notice to safely pull over.A subsequent inspection revealed that the evaporative emissions (EVAP) carbon canister is failing. The component failure allows unmetered fuel vapors or liquid fuel to flood the engine intake tract, rich-loading the engine and causing an immediate stall.
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while having a routine oil change at a local dealer, the dealer informed the contact that the cylinder head gasket was rusted. The dealer provided a 60 percent discount, and the vehicle was repaired. Six weeks later, while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled, but the contact was able to avoid a crash. All of the warning lights illuminated. A mobile mechanic initially checked the battery and later determined that the fuel pump control module had failed. No further information was available. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
Our Atlas’ engine will turn off unexpectedly from time to time. This usually happens when the vehicle is stopped whether it be at a stop light, stop sign, carpool, etc. We brought it to the dealership and the replaced a part and indicated it should fix it; however the problem has persisted.
While driving on the highway at 65 miles per hour, my Atlas shut itself off. I had to put it into park and restart the ignition. It turned on after 2 attempts but just barely. It turned on and gave enough power to move forward very slowly but virtually no propulsion. It turned on briefly, I pressed the gas and then it shut off but had enough to cruise to get to the shoulder across the highway. There was no shoulder next to the lane I was in. Luckily the cars around me saw that I put my hazzard lights on immediately and did the same. Once at the shoulder, tho the system had shut down again... the Atlas suddenly engaged and sped up on its own. The control panel of the car was "resetting" itself still from the initial shutdown. The system appeared to reboot itself after putting into park and pushing the ignition button. And was still "processing" while I attempted to get it to the side of the road while it shutdown again. Once it was "rebooted" that's when the system appeared to "catch" and the car "sped up" by itself. Once all that happened, probably in the span of 5 minutes or so, I was able to drive 15 miles away safely to a gas station, turned off the car, got gas and it re-started like nothing had happened and drive fine home, about 2 miles further. The instrument panel including map and "driving screen" has shut down before while driving a few times, but never anything with the engine. While stopped at a light a few times, the car has previously "shut itself off" and restarted fine after being put into park and restarting ignition. This is by far the worst and most dangerous experience I've had that could have resulted in a fatal collision, had the cars around me not also been paying close attention and helped me out by slowing behind me and creating awareness for others approaching at 65-75 MPH as well.
Current mileage: 55,000 miles, and the warranty expired at 50,000 miles. Shortly after the expiration, a bunch of warning alerts started to pop up, along with a solid yellow check engine light. I had the error codes read, and it came back as, “P2402 SAE: EVAP System Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit: High." In order for any work to be performed, VW demands a $212 diagnostic fee in order to even determine what is wrong with the vehicle. If the EVAP pump is found to be bad as the code suggests, it would cost anywhere between $700-900 to fix. So, I took to Google to figure out what is going on. There are pages and pages of documentation from other VW drivers who have the exact same issue. So, why has it not been listed as a safety recall yet? That's what I want to know. Many VW drivers reported that they were given a warranty extension for this KNOWN issue, so I thought...that's all it would take for me to be happy. So, I called the same dealership back and was told that my vehicle is ineligible for the warranty extension even though I am experiencing the exact same issue of the people who were given the warranty extension. Many other VW customers have reported this known issue as well because VW is aware of the issue but is not doing anything about it. As far as I know, the car runs fine, but the alerts and check engine light are there every time I start up the car and never go away. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others is put at risk every time I drive. When I get into my car, several alerts go off. Very distracting and dangerous. When I go to back out of my driveway, the backup camera works for a few seconds and then blacks out and goes back to the main screen and starts beeping new alerts. Very dangerous. As I am driving, all of the alerts are going off again, thus distracting me behind the wheel. With the codes present, it will not allow me to use remote start on either my key FOB or in the app.
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that on the first day the vehicle was purchased, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the carbon canister and evaporative (EVAP) canister had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact was informed that the carbon canister and evaporative (EVAP) canister had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
My 2023 VW Atlas is stalling out in high temperatures. When you mash the accelerator, at times the vehicle will not go. From my online research, many others are experiencing this same issue and have found resolution involving charcoal canister + purge solenoid, fuel pressure sensor and software updates. The EVAP and fuel system could be tested manually. However, VW says because no codes show up, there is nothing wrong with the vehicle and will not provide any help whatsoever to me. This is going to get someone killed. I have taken to local dealer plus reached out to VW corporate with no help. My car is under warranty.
I own a 2023 VW Atlas purchased new from a Volkswagen dealership. In October 2024, while the vehicle was under warranty, I reported engine hesitation, rough idle, and near-stalling. I showed the service advisor a video I recorded of the issue happening in real time. Despite this, the dealership refused to investigate further because no check engine light or fault codes were present. I was sent home without diagnosis or documentation. Months later, the issue worsened and was diagnosed as a failed fuel injector — now quoted at nearly $3,000 to repair, plus a $175 diagnostic fee. VW refuses to cover the cost or provide goodwill assistance, stating that the dealership couldn’t replicate the issue and therefore couldn’t act. I was also denied the ability to speak with a service manager when the failure occurred. This injector issue clearly began during the warranty period and was dismissed without proper investigation. The behavior compromised the vehicle’s driveability and posed a potential safety risk to me and my children. There needs to be accountability when clear evidence is provided and dealerships refuse to act until the problem escalates past warranty coverage. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate fuel injector failures in the 2023 VW Atlas and the pattern of warranty denial tied to lack of fault codes, despite clear performance issues and owner-supplied evidence.
Car stalled while going down the road. Was able to pull over and as soon as I put the vehicle in park, it cut off and wouldn’t crank back. Had to have the vehicle towed into dealership. They called and said the fuel pump, leak detection pump and wiring harnesses were going to have to be replaced. Vehicle has been at the dealership for 4 weeks now with no ETA on parts arrival.
I bought my car about 5 months ago. 3 weeks ago while merging onto the beltway, MY CAR SHUT OFF. I took it to the dealership and they kept it 9 days. They did absolutely NOTHING. I contacted corporate they are doing NOTHING. this has happened twice. It's an intermittent issue and all VW has to say is that "since there is no fault code and they cannot duplicate the issue" there's nothing they can do. Online I've found several others with the same issue. I sent screenshots and links to YouTube videos of several others with the SAME issue and they still do not care. I told them what other dealers did to fix this safety issue and they won't do anything, even though the car is under warranty. They told me the car is fine even though I was nearly in a 4 car accident. This is a MAJOR safety issue in VW cars. My car note is $950 and I don't feel safe driving my car.
At approximately 8500 miles the car started randomly stalling, maybe once or twice a week. Now at 9600 miles it stalls every time we drive the car. This is not the Start/Stop system as we deactivate that when we get in the car. Typically, the car is warm, the AC is on, we have idled with the car in park then place the car in gear to drive and it dies. The dealer claims they cannot duplicate the problem. Also, the throttle is very non-linear. One time you push the throttle a little and the car takes off slamming you back in the seat. The next time you can push the throttle halfway down before the car responds then it just slowly accelerates. This problem has not been brought to the attention of the dealer yet but will upon the next appointment. This is very dangerous as other drivers are expecting you to move but you have to put the car in park and restart it. This could get someone killed.
(part 2) vehicle service records available upon request. The only problem confirmed by the dealership is infotainment system issues on multiple occasions. All aforementioned issues in complaint 1 are legitimate safety issues. If a vehicle is in motion, or needs to be in motion on a public road/highway/crossing railroad & transit tracks, etc. and shuts down, sputters, or lunges, it could be fatal for not only myself and occupants of my vehicle, but could be a danger to others on the road or walkways as well. Further scenarios noted, but not limited to the following: 07/10/23, vehicle lunged forward as if I hit the gas while my foot was firmly pressed on the brake, while waiting to turn onto a busy state road. This is a huge safety issue. I could have rear-ended someone if they were in front of me, or hit into oncoming traffic if anyone was passing by at that moment. 6/25/23, while driving my VW dealership loaner vehicle, a '23 Atlas, engine jumped as if the gas peddle was pressed while at a complete stop in city-setting traffic and moved forward. I reported both incidents to VW dealership. I was told the F5 module was to blame for most issues, due to them being "COVID" era computer chips, and once they became available they would replace. 07/31/23, I was told a new module would not help, that instead a software update to the infotainment system should fix any problems, and the update was performed. To date, three software updates have been performed on this vehicle, including a new F1 module on 10/6/23. All problems still randomly persist, without rhyme or reason. These are not the only problems with this vehicle, per guidelines, I am keeping to immediate safety issues. 09/03/23 VW engaged brakes while backing up onto a brand new driveway with no vehicles, plants, people around. Back-up assist will not shut down while towing cargo carrier unless aftermarket part is purchased, making the vehicle brake as if avoiding crash and jarring occupants.
I'm emailing due to issues with my 2023 Cross Sport I purchased. It's a dire situation, as I had issues with my 2021 Cross Sport and VW ended up repurchasing the vehicle from me due a number of safety concerns. During my search for a new vehicle, I could not find anything that I liked so I ended up contacting Hawk VW in Joliet, IL to ask about the new 2023 Cross Sport and asked if they were aware of any issues and they said no. I purchased a 2023 Cross Sport on September 28, 2022 in hopes that I would have a more pleasant experience. This is a decision that would come back to haunt me. I contacted my salesman on October 12th to let him know that the car wasn't driving well. I told him there seemed to be a kind of jerk or stall while I was driving. He told me that "the Cross Sport and all VW's do have an assist feature where if you suddenly press the gas the car will try to react that is were the sudden acceleration will occur." I told him it wasn't a sudden acceleration...it was more like a jerk and hard to explain. This would happen while I was driving. I kept driving and it would still happen, but I just went along with him saying it was the assist feature. On May 23rd, I emailed him to let him know that my car had off twice in a week with a message saying manually start engine. I took it in on June 5th and was told it was the fuel pump and fuel pump sensor. On June 13th I let them know it cut off again. I took it in on July 5th and was told it was the EVAP canister. Now today, July 10th, they are saying they will replace the fuel tank as well and the part should be in Wednesday. I feel as if VW is definitely aware of these safety issues, as there's a VW forum out there and a lot of owners are having the same issues. Something needs to be done before someone gets hurt, or worse. I pray that doesn't happen but this is truly ridiculous and frustrating at this point.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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