2023 Volkswagen Atlas · symptom sheet

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

43owner reports
20,000median miles
$950median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 28, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

67 of the 129 complaints on this car are about the engine. 43 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2023 Atlas.

Tick what matches of 43 reports

it stalled while driving

it stalled at idle or a stop

warning lights came on

it restarted right away

the fuel pump was blamed

no code was stored

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the fuel pump (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2023 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

22V-753Oct 7, 2022

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.

Risk and remedy

Risk: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Atlas

PE21-008opened Mar 29, 2021

Fuel system · model years 2018 to 2020

Fuel injector leak. Closed oct 3, 2022.

NHTSA summary

On March 29, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-008 to investigate instances of fuel injectors leaking in the engine compartment in model year (MY) 2018 through 2020 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs. These vehicles are equipped with either a 3.6 or 2.0 liter engine. The subject investigation concerns vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. Prior to opening the investigation, ODI also observed that warranty data for the fuel system from TREAD reporting was an outlier for the MY 2018 Atlas.The allegation involved fuel injectors leaking fuel near engine compartment components that operate at high temperatures. Consumers allege a fuel leak, fuel odor, and/or an illuminated check engine malfunction indicator light (MIL) on that alerts them to the condition. Fuel leaking in the engine compartment has a higher potential risk of fire as nearby components are operating at higher temperatures compared to other areas of the vehicle. No fires have been connected to this issue to date.The 3.6L engine is a VR6 type engine. Due to its specific design, the VR6 has two types of injectors with different designs installed. Cylinders 1, 3, and 5 use long injectors and cylinders 2, 4, and 6 use short injectors. Unlike the short injectors, the long injectors require an extension pipe necessary to reach cylinders 1, 3, and 5. Volkswagen stated that the potential root cause for a leaking injector is typically either a damaged, misaligned, or missing supporting ring

None of these investigations covers the 2023 model year.

What owners paid

5 of the 43 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $569 to $1,500.

$569$950$1,500

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 9,000 and 41,000 miles, from the 8 reports that gave a mileage.

122

523

1424

825

1526

What owners wrote

“My car has started to stall out when I am stopped at a sign, light, reversing or a low idle. When I change to reverse from park, the car stalls. I have to put it back in park start and try to reverse again. Same thing happens when I go from reverse to drive. I have done a little research online, and a lot of these 2023 Volkswagen Atlasâs has this issue.”
Filed Aug 12, 2026

“The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly. When parked or reversing. Requires the car to be put in park and then restarted.”
Filed Jul 4, 2026

“Car stalled while going down the road. Was able to pull over and as soon as I put the vehicle in park, it cut off and wouldnât crank back. Had to have the vehicle towed into dealership. They called and said the fuel pump, leak detection pump and wiring harnesses were going to have to be replaced. Vehicle has been at the dealership for 4 weeks now with no ETA on parts arrival.”
Filed Mar 13, 2025

“Vehicle stalls when at very slow speeds which requires you to put the vehicle in park and restart. This has happened over 15 times and last time was 10/29/24.”
Filed Oct 30, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 43 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.