YearToAvoid

2019 Volkswagen Atlas Engine Problems

The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas has 73 engine-related complaints filed with NHTSA, making up 15% of all complaints for that model year. Median mileage at failure was 6,545 miles, and there are no related recalls listed for this issue.

Engine complaints
73
15% of 480
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
6,545 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report low coolant warning lights appearing repeatedly shortly after purchase, sometimes traced to a coolant leak into the engine.
  • Several complaints describe a strong gasoline smell inside the cabin along with a fast-dropping fuel gauge and illuminated check engine light, in some cases linked to fuel tank or fuel line leaks.
  • Owners describe loud grinding or screeching noises from the powertrain area during acceleration from a stop or at low speed, which some suspect involves the torque converter or gearbox.
  • Some drivers report an abnormal engine sound during acceleration with no warning light, later diagnosed by a dealer as a gearbox failure.
  • A few owners report the vehicle stalling or shutting down completely while driving at highway speed, then restarting after being put in park.
  • One owner reported fuel economy well below the advertised rating, along with a persistent check engine light for an evap leak.

When 2019 Volkswagen Atlas engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 22, 2019, latest Aug 19, 2026.

2019 Volkswagen Atlas engine complaints: complaints filed per month6Mar 2019Feb 2020Nov 2020Mar 2022Dec 2022Aug 2024Jun 2025May 2026
73 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2019 to Aug 2026; peak Mar 2022 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Atlas model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2018108 (23%)
  2. 201973 (15%)
  3. 20204 (15%)
  4. 202199 (21%)
  5. 202252 (28%)
  6. 202337 (28%)
  7. 202432 (19%)
  8. 20259 (19%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
NHTSA lists 73 engine-related complaints for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, which is 15% of all 480 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for the 2019 Atlas engine complaints.
At what mileage do 2019 Atlas engine problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2019 Atlas is 6,545 miles, indicating these issues tend to surface early in ownership.
How does the 2019 Atlas compare to other model years for engine complaints?
The 2019 Atlas had 73 engine complaints (15% share), lower than the 2018 model's 108 complaints (23% share) and the 2021 model's 99 complaints (21% share).
Were there any crashes linked to engine complaints on the 2019 Atlas?
NHTSA records 3 crashes and 3 injuries among the 73 engine-related complaints for the 2019 Atlas, with no fires reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.