2023 Volkswagen Atlas

While operating my vehicle, the engine shuts off and stalls unexpectedly, including while driving at low speeds. When this occurs, the vehicle loses power and must be manually restarted, creating a dangerous situation, especially in traffic. This issue began within the first year of ownership and has continued despite multiple service visits. Early on, the dealership was unable to diagnose the issue and at times stated the condition was “normal.” Volkswagen dealerships later identified the issue as related to a defective canister / EVAP system component. The same component has required multiple repairs, including a repeat failure after the initial repair. Volkswagen issued an extended warranty covering this defect. Despite these repairs, the vehicle continues to shut off and stall, including while driving. The vehicle has also experienced remote start failures with messages instructing the driver to manually start the engine, which a dealership confirmed is related to the same defect. This creates an ongoing safety risk, particularly because I transport children in the vehicle.

The oil separator / PCV system on my 2023 Volkswagen Atlas failed prematurely, causing oil leakage and abnormal crankcase pressure. This resulted in oil escaping into the engine bay and related components. Failure of this system can lead to oil contacting hot engine surfaces, potential fire risk, loss of oil pressure, and possible engine damage. The defect occurred well before expected service life. Volkswagen has issued a service action related to premature oil separator/PCV failure, indicating the manufacturer was aware of this issue. However, owners were not proactively notified prior to failure. This appears to be a pattern issue affecting multiple vehicles. I am concerned about the safety implications and the risk of repeat failure even after repair.

Engine turns off completely traveling at moderate speeds in drive gear while approaching and then stopped at lights or stop signs. Issue became more constant and prevalaint with time. Message then shows up " Please start engine manually P". Vehicle then has to be put in "park" and manually restarted. All this is completed in a panic and a rush as your are on a road with traffic and cars behind you. Randomness and type of stall makes it difficult to document issue live and in it's entirety as it happens. Issue cannot be foreseen. This is a very dangerous situation and a accident waiting to happen. This is a known issue on this model VW commencing in prior year models as documented by thousands online on forums, chats with documented fixes. Such as one being extended warranty "VWP-23-04 on part. VW dealers visited refuse to address potential causes or related parts as issue cannot be "recreated". Have presented documentation of times and dates this has happened and pictures of dash message but since vehicle "technically" doesn't show a FAULT, issue is not being addressed by dealers. VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS, AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS.

Complaint Summary: The PCV valve (oil separator, part number 06Q103495F) has failed twice within 20,000 miles on my 2023 Volkswagen Atlas 2.0T. The first failure occurred around 50,000 miles and was repaired under warranty. The second failure happened around 70,000 miles, after warranty expiration. Description of Issue: In both cases, the failure was identified when the low engine oil warning light appeared, followed by visible oil leakage across the top of the engine and the catch plate area. Upon inspection, oil was found covering surrounding components, and the dealer confirmed the PCV assembly had failed and was leaking internally and externally. The PCV system is integrated into the valve cover, and when it fails, it causes crankcase pressure loss, oil blow-by, and potential engine damage or fire risk if oil contacts hot components. This is not normal wear; it’s a known recurring failure on EA888 2.0T engines used across multiple VW models. Safety Concern: A leaking PCV valve can cause: •Excessive oil consumption •Oil spray onto engine components, posing a potential fire hazard •Unstable idle or stalling due to vacuum imbalance •Risk of engine damage if crankcase pressure rises The part has been revised multiple times by Volkswagen but continues to fail prematurely. The lack of a recall or warranty extension leaves owners paying for repeated replacements of a defective component. Request: I urge NHTSA to investigate widespread premature failures of the PCV/Oil Separator assembly (06Q103495F and superseding parts) on Volkswagen EA888 Gen 3 engines used in the Atlas, Tiguan, and other VW/Audi vehicles. This appears to be a design flaw rather than a normal maintenance issue and could lead to oil fires or mechanical damage if ignored.

I bought the car in 2023 with 700 miles on it. Since then when coming from a stop the engine delays for about 5-10 seconds when pushing the gas, it eventually goes and happens often but not every time. Another issue is when coming to a stop the car turns off without any warning. When you try to go you have to put it back in park and start the car again. This has happened about ten times in two years. The last couple of times it has happened more regularly and in dangerous situations. I have brought it to two different dealerships as I have a 5 year warranty. First one told me they couldn’t replicate the issue but only drove the car 1 mile. Second drive it 30 miles and also told me there was nothing they could do. I started a case with VW and they called back saying they may have an idea and i need to bring it back for a third time but they have silent since. They also refused to tell me what it was they wanted to check.

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.

I was driving home when I noticed that the check engine light was on. I stopped and checked the dash, infotainment display and VW app for what the problem was, the app showed no faults and all parameters had green checks. Only message on the dash was "Start Stop Error". Car ran fine and didn't seem to have any issue other than the auto start feature not working so I finished my drive home. When I approached my driveway I stepped on the brakes and the car pulled hard to the left and I went into the oncoming lane. I was lucky no-one was coming the other way. I could have hit someone head on. Once parked in the driveway I inspected the car and found that alot of oil was leaking from many places under the car and the passenger side and rear of car was covered in oil also. Engine compartment was soaked in oil on the passengers side. The passengers side front tire, wheel and brake components were dripping & soaked with oil. The large oil leak got in the brakes and on the tire causing me to swerve into the oncoming lane when i applied the brakes. This car had no leaks of any kind before this incident. Photo of oil on driveway VW5 was after car was parked for only 5 -10 minutes. Picture VW1,2 and 3 show wheel and brake soaked in oil. VW4 shows tire soaked in oil

I leased the car brand new, maybe a month or 2 later the brakes started making noise. I took it to VW 2-3x and they said that was just a common problem in the atlas and there’s nothing they can do about it. They suggested on the highway, when it is safe to slam the brakes to get rid of the noise. Not only is this dangerous but also my tires are worn down from constantly braking trying to get rid of the noise before I go anywhere. Also, a new issue that’s starting up is when I’m coming slowly to a stop, to get to the median or a roundabout, the car shuts down. This is also very dangerous and has gotten me in a position where a car almost hit me as I was approaching the median, the car shut off on me. I had to quickly put the car in brake, turn on the car and put it in drive to move my car out of the road where cars were approaching me

I am writing to express my growing concerns regarding the ongoing issues with my vehicle. Within the first week of ownership, the engine began misfiring, and the valves had to be replaced. Soon after, the gas pump in the fuel tank broke and was replaced as well. The climate sensors also malfunctioned and had to be replaced, and the vents required replacement as they were blowing air improperly. Additionally, the middle console, which remains broken, had to be replaced. Unfortunately, it is still malfunctioning, as it is stuck on the highest heating setting, which is particularly concerning with two infants in the vehicle. I have been informed that the replacement part is on national backorder, and there is no ETA for its arrival. This vehicle has consistently experienced issues and has been in the shop multiple times, leading to significant inconvenience. Most importantly, the malfunctioning heating system presents a serious safety risk. I am requesting immediate attention to this matter and would appreciate a solution or alternative arrangements. Thank you for your prompt attention to this issue.