Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact was unable to move to the side of the road and called the Police. The Police helped to push the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the transmission control module needed to be updated. The transmission control module was updated; however, several weeks later, while the vehicle was at the dealer for a maintenance check, the contact was informed that there was an oil leak. The dealer found engine oil inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. …
EHICLE SAFETY DEFECT - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE & TRANSMISSION/SHIFTER FAILURE My 2025 Volkswagen Atlas has two serious, ongoing safety defects that Volkswagen and the dealership have failed to repair. The digital speedometer/instrument cluster blacks out while driving, leaving no speed visibility. This has occurred multiple times with my four young children in the car. The vehicle often will NOT go into Drive unless I shift 3 or more times. This is an intermittent shifter/transmission malfunction. The dealership's repair order states "NO REPAIRS PERFORMED FOR THIS CONCERN." For the blackout issue, they only disabled HD Radio as a temporary workaround. A VW technician told me on video that no permanent fix exists. The same admission was made over the phone by another VW technician. …
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while at a stop sign and attempting to make a left turn, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed; however, approximately five seconds later, the vehicle responded as intended. The contact stated that the transmission had shifted into neutral and then first gear after several minutes. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 3,997.
The vehicle was driven into the garage, driver pressed park then engine stop. Driver and passenger exited vehicle, opened both rear doors and retrieved items from the rear seats. Closed rear doors. No warning sounds or lights came on when exiting the vehicle. When returning to the vehicle in about an hour it had rolled out of the garage and crashed into another garage. When the driver's door was opened the shift lever indicated PARK. The incident was reported to the dealer and taken in as soon as possible. The dealer has been unable to recreate the problem and is still researching. Very concerned about the possibility of the vehicle moving in PARK and hitting someone or something.
On July 13, I was driving on the I-75 Business Loop access ramp near Bloomfield Hills with my entire family in the vehicle when the EPC warning light came on. The vehicle went into limp mode and subsequently shut down. I was able to pull the vehicle onto the shoulder of the access ramp before it stopped completely. With my entire family in the vehicle, being stranded on the shoulder of I-75 created a very unsafe and concerning situation. After allowing the vehicle to rest for several minutes, I was able to restart it and drive it home. I then arranged for the vehicle to be towed from my home to Mike Savoie Volkswagen for diagnosis and repair. The vehicle had already experienced a similar EPC-related failure previously and had been repaired by Mike Savoie Volkswagen. …
At approximately 8500 miles the car started randomly stalling, maybe once or twice a week. Now at 9600 miles it stalls every time we drive the car. This is not the Start/Stop system as we deactivate that when we get in the car. Typically, the car is warm, the AC is on, we have idled with the car in park then place the car in gear to drive and it dies. The dealer claims they cannot duplicate the problem. Also, the throttle is very non-linear. One time you push the throttle a little and the car takes off slamming you back in the seat. The next time you can push the throttle halfway down before the car responds then it just slowly accelerates. This problem has not been brought to the attention of the dealer yet but will upon the next appointment. This is very dangerous as other drivers are expecting you to move but you have to put the car in park and restart it. …
I am reporting a recurring coolant system issue that raises safety concerns. My 2022 VW Atlas has triggered the coolant warning light several times since new. A dealership eventually replaced the head gasket under warranty, yet the warning returned again months later. At the most recent service visit, a pressure test showed no leak, and I was told the problem was likely "air bubbles" - the same explanation I received before the head gasket was replaced. VW has issued TSB 19-22-01, advising dealers to blame repeated warnings on trapped air and to avoid replacing parts unless a leak is confirmed. This contradicts VW's own official dashboard warning guidance, which instructs drivers to "Stop! …
While traveling at highway speeds with my family on our way to a college visit, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion due to a complete breach of the automatic transmission oil cooler lines (Part numbers: 3QF317801C and 3QF317820C). The breach caused hot, pressurized transmission fluid to violently spray out of the vehicle, covering the highway and completely coating the vehicle traveling directly behind us, creating an immediate multi-car road hazard. The sudden loss of fluid instantly destroyed the transmission internals, disabling the vehicle on a high-speed highway and requiring us to be towed to a Volkswagen dealership. The certified VW dealership technicians inspected the vehicle and explicitly identified the issue as a factory assembly flaw. …
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The transmission may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38CX.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Atlas years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (34), 2024 (22), 2018 (16), 2021 (15) and 2025 (13) model years. Transmission complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Atlas transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 25V-081 (automatic transmission, Feb 12, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Atlas transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 7,000 miles; 93% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission › gear position indication (prndl) (1 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.