2019 Volkswagen Atlas: start-stop system problems

Filed Jul 11, 2026 · GA

Hello, The auto start stop function on my vehicle has malfunctioned. The vehicle will turn off when coming to a stop and I am not accelerating (making turns). The vehicle also would not remote start. This happens even when the auto start/stop function is off. When taken to my local Volkswagen for diagnosis, they stated a new battery was needed and that I also had a gas tank issue ( stated that is was collapsing and that it was an issue with a lot of those models). I got a new battery and the issue was fixed for about a week and then it started doing the same thing again. Currently the auto start stop error appears at turn on along with the EPC (orange) light, remote start does not work, and will turn of when coming to a stop. This puts me and others at risk because the vehicle will have to placed in park and started again when making slow turns. Impacting drivers behind me because they are unaware of a sudden stop. The gas tank is a safety risk because according to Volkswagen mechanics the fuel tank can collapse and cause gas to leak in the street creating a fire hazard. This is also an issue because at times while filling the tank with gas, the pump will stop as if full, but it isnt. These issues have been confirmed with Volkswagen Savannah/AutoNation Volkswagen Savannah. The first warning light about the issue happened in January of 2026, in which the check engine light came on and the auto start stopped functioning. Thank you

Filed Nov 12, 2025 · Fuel system, Seat belts · LA

The second row captains chair seat belt latch on the passenger side does not latch fully. It latches and can be pulled out by hand. If a wreck were to happen, the passenger would not be truly restrained causing bodily harm or death. The problem has been reproduced at a service center. It has not been inspected by police, insurance or representative. No warning lights or messages for the seat belt. The car will randomly stall while rpms are low, liking making a turn, pulling into a parking spot or stopped at a traffic light (while auto start/stop is turned off). It makes me put the vehicle in park and restart the engine. This can cause wrecks that could cause bodily harm or injury. It has been reviewed by a auto mechanic. The engine light and evap system light will randomly come on and go off.

Filed Aug 30, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MD

With auto stop/start disengaged, vehicles stalls at slow speed (approaching a stop sign) or while idling at a stop light. displays "start car manually" when this happens. Now error code displays "Error Stop-start" The stalling has happened 5 times this week.

Filed Aug 10, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TN

Car will randomly stop when using the auto start/stop feature. It can do this at slow speeds or when slowing down. Huge risk.

Filed May 15, 2025 · MS

My 2019 Volkswagen Atlas 3.6L has shut off multiple times while driving, including once at 55 mph. I consistently receive a “Stop/Start System Error” message at startup. As of today, the check engine light has come on and there is an extremely strong smell of gasoline at the rear of the vehicle after driving. The fuel smell is intense enough to make me concerned about fire risk. I have young children, and this is my only vehicle. The combination of engine stalling, an active check engine light, and a raw gas smell poses a serious safety hazard to my family and others on the road. This appears to match known issues under VW’s recall 20V716000 for cracked fuel injectors and TSB 01-23-09 for engine control software glitches. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether more 2019 VW Atlas vehicles—including mine—should be included in these recalls, and whether VW is providing adequate support to affected families. I cannot safely drive my vehicle, and I cannot afford a rental. This is an urgent public safety concern.

Filed Dec 31, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Vehicle will get a stop/start error and stall at low speeds in traffic or at stop lights/signs. Have to put vehicle in park and manually restart. had the same issue at 20k miles and they replaced the carbon canister. This time they won’t replace it until the error code shows. Truly a safety hazard and I can not put my kids back in this car

Filed Oct 5, 2024 · Driver assistance, Engine · CA

Vehicle has auto stop/start. Vehicle shuts down when at a stop sign and does not start .Deactivating the stop/ start function does not help.

Filed Jun 20, 2024 · MN

Car turns itself off when stopped when still in drive. Happens even when the auto stop/start feature is disabled. It happens randomly, doesn’t matter if engine is hot or cold or weather is different. First happened while sitting at bank or drive thru, happened twice in car wash rollers, now happening at stoplights.

Filed Oct 31, 2023 · Electrical · MD

At red light the auto stop start won't turn the car back on. The battery drains in less than 5 minutes and needs a jump. Or sometimes it won't "auto start" and I have to move the selector to Park and push the start button. This also happens when the engine is off, but the accessories are on. Just listening to the radio for 5 minutes seems to drain the battery and the car won't start and needs a jump. After a jump, the battery does charge back up when driven and holds its charge. I now try to remember to disable the auto stop start as this behavior is unacceptable. I recently had a new battery put in, and a new BCM and ECM, and this problem still happens. The car is at the dealer now.

Filed Sep 21, 2023 · Electrical · NC

This incident has occured on multiple occasions & can be replicated with the "auto stop/start" engine feature active. The vehicle can be inspected. I will describe the last occurrence. I was parallel parking on a slight incline. I pulled forward past the available parking spot before backing in. I came to a complete stop. The parking sensors on the vehicle engaged due to a nearby sign/light pole. The "auto stop/start" engine activated & shut off the engine. I put the car in reverse. The car did not start. I started rolling backward downhill into the parking spot with no power steering. The engine was off. The car had to be put back into park to be restarted. I was finally able to parallel park. A prior incident occured while attempting to attach a boat trailer. I backed up & was misaligned to the trailer coupler. It engaged parking sensors on vehicle. I put vehicle in drive. I sat still for a second which allowed auto stop/start to activate. I let off brake and pressed gas. I rolled backward into trailer. The risk is a crash due to no power steering and no engine power. This could be very dangerous for a new inexperienced driver. This has not been replicated at a dealership. I have just recently figured out why this happened and have not taken the vehicle in. It has been inspected by no one. There are no warning lamps or messages other than the auto start/stop activated message. Normally, the car will start the engine if the vehicle is put in reverse or my foot is coming off the brake pedal. This does not happen if the parking sensors are activated simultaneously. I've had separate issues with the front warning sensors activating at random while driving city and highway speeds. The warning comes on with no obstruction ahead. Luckily, I have the automatic braking turned off. Otherwise, I'm afraid the car would automatically brake at random and I would be rear ended. Dealership has not replicated this issue, but they have been notified by myself of the issue.

Filed Mar 13, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

Started with entertainment center reboot itself and dash navigation. Dealer did an software update . then front collision warning would go off… NO ONE AROUND . No cars on road. dealer did another software update to resolve issue. Then Remote start stopped working acc light ecc on dash. Code cleared software update agin. Few months later. At a light car running Car then turned off on incline .. was in light snow. Didn’t know as auto start stop was on. Car began to slide backwards. Had to quickly put car in park and start manually. Went to dealer they found nothing wrong. Car seemed to be always turning off in park or right after remote start was used and car or when placed in park at incline. Dealer could never replicate car turning off. few months later entertainment center began to reboot and so did dash navigation . Took it into dealer again and they did another software update again and also did and update for recall on emissions. This is when rear emergency braking began. It would would activate all the time. No ONE around says check your surroundings then the Emergency braking will kick on locking up all 4wheels. Now front collision warning going off now again with No ONE around. Went back to dealer they once again could not reproduce emergency braking turning or check your rear surroundings warning. they said known issue with emergency braking activating but don’t have a fix yet.

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · MD

On two occasions the Auto Start/Stop system has engaged and turned off the engine at a stop light (performing correctly), but then failed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle did not provide any error message, it just did not try to restart and began rolling forward when the brakes were disengaged. The vehicle was then required to be placed in park and manually restarted. This presents a safety concern at a stop light as you could be rear ended if the car behind you is anticipating you to start driving.