2018 Volkswagen Atlas Engine

Dealer maintained with oil changes per the schedule. Cylinder head issue requiring engine replacement at 104,xxx miles. 3.6L VR6. This is unacceptable.

My 2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 experienced a catastrophic engine failure at approximately 116,000 miles. The vehicle has been at a Volkswagen dealership for approximately six months (since July 2025) while repeated diagnostic attempts and repairs were made. I was ultimately informed that the engine requires full replacement. No clear warning was provided prior to failure, and the prolonged diagnosis resulted in the vehicle being unusable for an unreasonable length of time. Volkswagen of America has declined to offer assistance despite the severity of the failure and extended time out of service. I have reached out to Volkswagon and so has the dealership (Paul Miller Volkswagen of Bernardsville). We each created a case each on my behalf but Volkswagon of America has declined assistance. I am concerned about premature engine failure and the lack of resolution.

Low engine coolant light came on and began overheating all within a short period of time. Mechanic stated is has a blown/defective head gasket. It is currently being repaired by a mechanic as we need the car to drive our young children. A quick Google search has shown this is an ongoing issue as there is a class action lawsuit with law group, Sauder Schelkopf.

Water pump failure of a 2018 VW Atlas with 69000 miles.

Our 2018 VW, when extremely hot temperatures would make a very loud grinding/squealing sound. Then the AC would intermittently work, sometimes it would blow cold, and sometimes it would not. Eventually, the AC stopped working altogether. There is a strong, hot, burning smell that comes through the vents during these times. These issues have caused extreme visibility as my windows fog up in humid conditions, causing me to not be able to see. I was almost in a car accident from this due to not being able to see and being in a large amount of traffic, trying to pull over to the side. This happened probably because the AC also dehumidifies the air for defogging. We had our VW into the Morris dealership, being sent home each time, stating nothing was wrong. The last time we had it in demanding something was not right. They stated the AC Compressor is not engaging now. Well, this explains why, every time it is hot and humid or raining, my windows are fogging up, causing me to not be able to see anything. This is an extreme safety hazard and has been for me and my children. This also explains the musty smell because this can cause mold and bacteria to grow due to trapped moisture. This is hard when this is our only family car, and many safety hazards.

The vehicle randomly shuts down when slowing to a halt or after coming to a halt..a prompt to manually restart the vehicle then pops up on he dashboard screen. The most recent event occurred on date below

A dangerous cam shaft failure led to sensors near the cam shaft and a piece of the metal housing being broken off due to the cam shaft failure. The cam shaft failed at normal highway speeds and stopped the engine on the highway. Vehicle is still undergoing repairs at “Automotive Tech, Inc.”

My car engine has cut off a few times all by itself while operating it.

Car turns off while in traffic and the auto start is turned off. Have to put it in park and click the start button. When it stars ABS, park assist, tire pressure and other dashboard lights turn on.

The car started to feel like it had the shivers. Could feel some kind of vibrations of sorts. Some time prior to this the car would stall when it would switch with the engine start stop function. We were told nothing was wrong with it. Prior to the vibrations or around the same time the check engine light went on. We took the car to the dealership and were told we had low pressure in one of the cylinders and near low in some others. They recommended a new engine.

At approximately 91,500 miles, the "coolant low" warning came on. I pulled over, filled the coolant reservoir (it was only just barely too low). (I keep coolant in the trunk because at 75,000 miles the same thing had happened, with no incident other than needing to be refilled). I was 2.5 miles from the dealership, so I then drove another 1 mile, during which no warnings came on but the vehicle stopped and failed to restart. White smoke came from under the hood and the tail pipe. At the time I was on a road where the speed limit is 45 mph, and I was completely disabled in a middle lane, at high risk of collision with oncoming traffic. It was towed to the dealership, where I was told it would require a complete engine replacement.

Replaced a failed water pump at 78,831 miles on 11/03/2022 and that replacement part failed again at 98,022 miles on 12/26/2023.The dealer would not cover either replacement. The first was outside vehicle warranty and the second was outside the 12k mile part warranty period. This model/trim was not covered under the class action lawsuit related to water pump failure. I’m reporting this so you are aware that

My vehicle alerted me that I needed to start my vehicle, while I was driving. I had accelerated to a speed of about 25mph, when I got this alert. My vehicle stalled and I pulled over to restart, but my vehicle would not restart again. I had my vehicle towed to VW of ST AUGUSTINE. I took 2 days for my vehicle to be diagnosed by the dealership. Upon speaking with VW of St AUG, I advised that I had not had any notification of engine lights and/or system failure issues. I advised I was hearing no tapping and/or whining noises at all. This incident was very scary and put my life and other lives in jeopardy. My vehicle was unsafe to operate and I was not aware. I was informed by the dealership that they had no way detecting an issue of this manner without taking the engine apart. I was advised that a pulley inside my engine bent and cause another piece to brake. They are advising I need a brand new engine which will cost $16k to replace. For an issue, no one was aware was going on.

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to stop and shift to park (P) and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine and another unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the “Low Coolant” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact added coolant however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 15,000.

I noticed about 6 months ago on a couple of occasions, while walking in front of my running 2018 VW Atlas. The sweet smell of antifreeze. I looked under my Atlas and did not see anything on the ground ( water, antifreeze ) and this happened just a few times. Then one 2/2/2023, I started up my Atlas to move it over and the low coolant warning signal came on my dash as soon as I started my vehicles. I did not have any of the specific coolant that the manufactured ask for it the time and after checking the reservoir tank the coolant level was down to the low mark on the reservoir tank. So I was able to put some distilled water in it which was about two cups 16 oz. Now after I have read all of the other issues that owners have had I am really worried that my vehicle will get worse. Then yesterday when I started my car in the morning I had a error message I shut the car off and restarted it and the message went away. I'm really worried that it is going to get worse and become more and more expensive. I am the second owner I bought it in April of 2020 it has a little over 28,000 miles on it yes 28,000 Mi for a 2018. I don't go very many places I take care of my elderly mother. I have looked at the VIN number to see if it is part of any of the recalls and it is not. It was part of the drivetrain recalls and that was fixed last year.

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that after turning the ignition to the off position, the engine remained running but then turned off after a short while. The check engine and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had misfired and the ABS was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

Water pump was replaced a few months ago after VW dealer discovering cracked pump housing during routine maintenance. A few days ago a "CHECK COOLANT LEVEL" message was displayed. Immediate check underneath vehicle found no evidence of external coolant leak. However, reservoir coolant tank found to be almost empty. Visual inspection of engine compartment showed all coolant hoses to be intact, cap secure on ball style reservoir tank without evidence of leakage. No odor of coolant in or around vehicle. Research on this problem found hundreds of 2018-2019 VW Atlas owners with identical symptom description, most ended up finding evidence of coolant in engine oil (crankcase). A sample of crankcase engine oil has been sent to an independent laboratory for analysis. The General Manager and Service Manager at VW dealer have been notified of the issue and that it is a known serious problem to VW Atlas owners despite not having risen to the level of a recall. Once VW has completed diagnosis and repair, the plan is to resubmit another sample for post-repair analysis. This vehicle was purchased new from VW and we are the first and only owners. With the exception of tire service and replacement of the battery, ALL other maintenance has been performed at VW. All recommended routine services have been completed on time, by VW per manufacturer recommendations. Let me be very clear on this point: WE DO NOT PLACE ANY BLAME ON THE VW DEALER(S) THAT HAVE SERVICED THIS VEHICLE SINCE WE TOOK DELIVERY. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE THAT HAS YET TO BE ADDRESSED AND JUST WANTED TO DO OUR PART IN REPORTING FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF ALL ATLAS OWNERS.

On 2020, the engine was stopped while I was driving, and the engine no longer work. I couldn’t start my car. The mechanic engineer said that I needed to replace the engine. However, my car had same issues about engine this year again. The engine was repeatedly stopped, and I had the engine warning light again. At first, they said they had to replace the engine, and at this time, he found the issue that the left cylinder #4 valve lifter/roller rocker securing clip to be missing and has been consumed by the engine and metal debris has contaminated the engine requiring engine replacement. I was so concerned my safety because of these issues. The engine should be replaced with a new one again. I am worrying my safety seriously because the engine issues are FATAL problems. I have owned the Atlas for about 40 months, and I have engine issues repeatedly. I am sure TWO replacement of the engine was not reasonable.

Continually leaks coolant.

My car displayed a warning that my engine was overheating and to pull over immediately. My temperature gauge was at max HIGH and check engine light came on. Towed to dealer. Was told by VW that the secondary coolant pump had failed. It was replaced and then it happened again two days later. My car was towed back to dealer again who cleaned, drained and refilled coolant. Two days later it overheated again and my engine was making a crackling sound. I use this car to transport my three young children and I am afraid to drive it. The car is overheating after driving less than a half mile.

2018 atlas I bought less than a year ago I was on the freeway when the car completely stalled I pulled over to try and restart the car but the car never restarted it was towed to Vw Thousand Oaks to find out that the engine went out I wasn’t under warranty because The warranty was up by miles I reached out to Vw corporate to see if they were willing to fix the car because the car wasn’t that many miles over and the engine went out in three years the corporate did not agree to help with the repairs the engine failure happened at 77,000 miles….

I HAVE TAKEN MY 18 ATLAS SEL PREMIUM IN AT LEAST 4 TIMES TO HAVE THE COOLANT CHECKI HAVE HAD THE LOW COOLANT WARNING COME ON 3 TIMES STATING THERE IS LOW COOLANT. THERE IS A STRONG BURNING COOLANT SMELL RADIATING FROM MY VEHICLE ON MANY OCCASIONS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY HAVE DONE OVERNIGHT PRESSURE TESTS AND CANNOT FIND THE LEAK. MY CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND I FEAR NOW THEY WILL FIND THE ISSUE AND MAKE ME RESPONSIBLE.

3 WEEKS AFTER WE BOUGHT A PRE-OWNED ATLAS FROM A VW DEALER, THE BATTERY DIED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WE CHECKED-WE DID NOT LEAVE ANYTHING ON IN THE CAR. WE TRIED TO JUMP START IT FOR AN HOUR WITH NO LUCK, SO I GOOGLED IT. THE ATLAS HAS HAD MANY ISSUES WITH ITS BATTERY AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRANDED BECAUSE OF THIS. THE BATTERY THEY PUT IN THE VEHICLE IS NOT POWERFUL FOR THIS SUV, ESPECIALLY WITH THE AUTO-START/STOP FEATURE, WHICH PERMANENTLY DRAINS THE CELLS OF THE BATTERY SO IT CAN'T BE JUMPED. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BATTERY WITH A NEW, BETTER ONE. WE CALLED VW CORP BUT THEY WOULD NOT DO A THING! ISSUE IS, VW KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND HAS 'ACKNOWLEDGED' IT BY EXTENDING THE INITIAL BATTERY WARRANTY TO 3 YEARS FROM WHEN IT WAS FIRST INSTALLED. SO YOU HAVE TO BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE BATTERY DIE WITHIN THE FIRST 3 YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR OR ELSE YOU ARE LEFT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY KNOW ABOUT.WE WERE 3 MONTHS OUTSIDE OF THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT ONLY HAD THE CAR 3 WEEKS! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE: YOUR BATTERY COULD SUDDENLY DIE WHEN YOU'RE AT THE LIGHT OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, IN THE DARK, YOUR KIDS IN THE CAR, ETC. AND YOU CAN'T EVEN TURN YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS ON TO WARN OTHER CARS THAT YOUR CAR IS DEAD. OR YOU COULD GET STRANDED IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH NO CELL RECEPTION, OR OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN A STORM OR BLIZZARD. WHAT'S WORSE IS VW USES THE AUTO-START/STOP AS A SELLING FEATURE AND THEY DO NOT WARN YOU OR DISCLOSE THIS BATTERY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW ABOUT IT! THEY SHOULD HONESTLY RECALL ALL ORIGINAL ATLAS BATTERIES AND PAY TO HAVE THEM REPLACED WITH BETTER ONES THAT CAN HOLD UP TO THE SUV AND THE AUTO-START/STOP FEATURE, WHICH YOU CAN'T TURN OFF PERMANENTLY, BY THE WAY. YOU'D HAVE TO TURN IT OFF MANUALLY EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU DRIVE IT. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS AND DO NOTHING.

UNEXPLAINABLE LOSS OF COOLANT. MY CAR WAS 4 TIMES AT DEALERSHIP AND THEY NEVER FIND ANY LEAKS BUT I'M LOOSING COOLANT AND SOMETIMES IT CAN SMELL IT EVAPORATE WHEN I PARK MY CAR.