2020 Volkswagen Atlas Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 11%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas, 11% of the 27 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Hello. I have a 2020 Vw Atlas V6 SE R-Line. The truck shots off when idleling, on speeds of 5 mph to 10 mph and even on the highway. This is a serious problem and extremely dangerous to my family and myself as well as other owners that have the same issue wile driving on highways. It can easily cause a serious accident. This has happened multiple times and I even took it to the dealership to get it diagnosed and repair. They replaced the vapor charcoal canister and the issue was gone for about a year and it came right back. …”
NHTSA complaint #11660065, filed 2025-05“Since I purchased this vehicle for my wife, she has repeatedly called me in tears regarding the vehicle turning itself off in school parking lots, stop lights, stopping at stop signs, and in drive through lanes. The car will show error messages such as START ENGINE MANUALLY or AUTO START/STOP FAILURE. This has nearly caused a number of accidents when the car is turned off in the middle of the street. The only option to get the car restarted is to put it into park, then turn the car off and back on again - which at a busy intersection can put you into a panic. …”
NHTSA complaint #11549247, filed 2023-10“Drivers side door harness is problem- driver door fault, electric parking brake fault, start stop fault, car would automatically engage parking brake This is such a huge problem with Volkswagen that the car has been in shop six weeks waiting on part because of back order due to demand”
NHTSA complaint #11456876, filed 2022-03Related service bulletins
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Suggested fuel additive
- 11035762Jul 9, 2026Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- 11035774Jul 6, 2026For applicable 2018-2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport 3.6L Settlement Class Vehicles (NA6 warranty key), the New Vehicle Limited Warranty will be extended to cover 80% of the…
- 11035773Jul 6, 2026Supporting FAQ for VWP-26-07 Main Engine Wiring Harness Limited Warranty Extension (Class Action)
- 11034614Jun 18, 2026Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
- 11034613Jun 18, 2026Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
- 11034617Jun 4, 2026Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
- 11030847Mar 27, 2026This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the…
- 11027250Dec 4, 2025Update Engine/Motor Control Module J623.
- 11025438Oct 29, 2025Turbocharger repair or replace due to stuck wastegate.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 31% |
| 2025 | 7 | 14% |
| 2024 | 30 | 17% |
| 2023 | 37 | 26% |
| 2022 | 50 | 27% |
| 2021 | 86 | 18% |
| 2020 | 3 | 11% |
| 2019 | 60 | 12% |
| 2018 | 100 | 21% |
Other parts of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas
11 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology