2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

On two consecutive occasions, my 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport suddenly lost almost all ability to accelerate after highway driving. Both times, after exiting the highway and stopping at a traffic light, pressing the accelerator would only allow the vehicle to travel a few miles per hour. The vehicle was effectively unable to accelerate normally or keep up with traffic. Turning the vehicle completely off and restarting it restored normal acceleration. The same problem occurred again the following day under similar circumstances. Multiple dashboard warnings appeared, including the check-engine light. During the second occurrence, a red coolant-related warning also appeared. I took the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealer. The dealer documented a fault for “ENGINE COOLANT FLOW LOW/PERFORMANCE” and found Volkswagen TSB 01-24-06 applicable. The repair order states that DTC P00B7, P0116 or P2681 was stored in the engine/motor control module. The dealer performed the prescribed ECM programming update under warranty. The dealer inspection showed the coolant system as OK and did not identify or repair a coolant leak or replace any cooling-system components. My safety concern is the sudden, severe loss of propulsion/acceleration in normal traffic. Had this occurred while merging onto a highway, crossing an intersection, or in other high-speed traffic, the inability to accelerate could have resulted in a collision. I am filing this complaint so NHTSA has a record of this loss-of-propulsion condition and its association with the documented ECM/coolant-flow fault and Volkswagen software update.

On the afternoon of Wednesday August 6th I was no less that 3-4 miles from my home when the car stopped in the middle lane of a very busy 3 lane highway and never started again. It was 90+ degrees outside and even hotter inside the vehicle with leather seats. I became extremely nervous and my small 10 pound puppy began to have anxiety and overheat. When I pulled away from my home the car was bucking and jerking. The car had just completed an OTA software download and installation a few hours earlier so I assumed it was the after affect of the software update. As I pulled onto the main road the car was still driving very roughly and when I cam to a red light the car started to shake back and forth very roughly and once the light turned green I was unable to accelerate. Error messages where coming up on the screen. I tried to start the car to move out of the middle lane but it would not start. A state trooper had pulled behind me and got out to assist. She noted she saw gray smoke coming from behind the vehicle as I was driving up to the light which prompted her to get behind me initially. She and I both worked to try to get the car into park but it would not shift gears. She noted fluid was running out of the car but we both assumed it was coolant or antifreeze. She radioed the local police to assist since we were in the middle lane of a dangerous highway and I contacted VW roadside assistance. The local police officer arrived on the scene and was able to assist with getting the manual parking brake on. When the tow truck arrived he asked if the car would go into Neutral we advised NO he then stated we were standing in gasoline and if we tried to start the vehicle the car could have exploded or the engine could have caught fire. If someone had rear ended or hit us there would have been a fire because the entire gas tank has leaked onto the ground that was the fluid the state trooper saw running from the back of the vehicle.

About 6 months after purchasing a new 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport, I started smelling gasoline inside the vehicle. It was a very strong smell, like someone had poured it on the carpet. After a few days, I noticed the smell when walking up to the car, not just inside. At this time, an error message appeared on the dash saying the start-stop system was malfunctioning, as well as the ABS system. That day, I took a look underneath and spotted a leak; gasoline was dripping from the bottom of the car. So, I scheduled service at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle. After a week, I received a call saying a rodent had entered the engine bay and chewed through the engine harness and a fuel line, and that these damages were not covered under the warranty. I asked for pictures of the "chewing"; however, the images they provided were not conclusive, in my opinion. My insurance paid, and the repair was started, but when they went to fix it, they said they found extensive damage to the primary harness, secondary harness, and a bunch of other things. Insurance again approved; however, the dealership has said that these parts need 30-90 days to come in. I believe there to be a defect in manufacturing that allows rodents into the vehicle since I have parked vehicles, including VW and just about every other brand, in the same location for 30 years and have never had this issue. Also, when I pressed the service department at the dealership, they said they had other cars here for the same issue and that it was "not uncommon."

Multiple error codes populated on my vehicle while driving to work. This occurred less than 3 months & less than 1500 miles since ownership. The car went into a reduced power/speed mode and advised for me to get service asap. I barely made it off the highway to my destination. Dealer said it was the fuel pump. If it was a faulty fuel pump - should I have been a part of the stop sale/recall? Engine/Transmission/PowerTrain- Error: Drive System. Please service vehicle. (Engine) Error: Start/Stop (Engine)

Vehicle had multiple engine malfunction lights appear and start/stop failures. Vehicle failed to start properly and speed was limited to prevent damage engine. Happened while I was driving it and I had to pull over and had the vehicle towed. An authorized dealer, Auto Import Inc in Brainerd, MN has had the vehicle since July 29th. They are unable to diagnose the problem, want to send the vehicle elsewhere and VW quality technicians have not shown up to inspect the vehicle. I had noticed prior to the engine failure that my fuel economy was not going down with driving, but rather up, which made me suspicious. Stop and go City driving should not increase fuel economy in the manner which it was. I became nervous about fuel amounts. My last three fill ups were about 6 gallons only after driving 250 miles, equating to 40 mpg, which is way higher than any reported mpg estimate I have a customer care rep and case with VW. They are not helping me at all.