2019 Volkswagen Atlas: gas smell in the cabin

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 Oct 27, 2021 · Fuel system · 26,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the electronic power control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. In addition, there was a fuel odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the top fuel rail assembly was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the bottom fuel rail assembly was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000.

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 5,000 miles · CO

Engine light came on. Strong gas smell inside car. Took to dealership. Has multiple gas leaks and dealership is replacing the gas tank and lines.

Filed Sep 6, 2019 · Engine · 4,200 miles · CO

Engine light is on... Interior smells like gas and gas gage is showing low level very fast.

Filed Jun 9, 2019 · Fuel system · 1,650 miles · WA

2019 vw volkswagen sel-p with 1600 miles. Started the car to come home from the park 2 miles away from home and halfway home the car started cutting out, had very limited power, epc light came on followed shortly by the engine light and a fuel smell. By the time I pulled into my driveway the fuel smell was very strong. Shut the vehicle off and restarted it while someone was looking in the engine compartment. It was immediately seen that a massive amount of fuel was dumping from the fuel rail/injector area at the front of the engine. Raw gas was also seen dripping onto ground. Fuel is only dumping when vehicle is started and running. Luckily drive was a short distance or it is very likely it would have caught fire due to the location of the fuel leak.