2020 Volkswagen Atlas Transmission Problems

Your car's engine is shutting off unexpectedly while stopped at traffic lights, stop signs, drive-throughs, and parking lots, showing error messages like "START ENGINE MANUALLY" or "AUTO START/STOP FAILURE." The only way to restart it is to shift into park and turn the ignition off and back on, which is dangerous in busy traffic. The dealer says this is a known issue affecting multiple VW Atlas vehicles but has no fix available, and the problem is occurring multiple times per week even when the auto start/stop system is manually disabled. Fixing this will likely require a software update or reprogramming of the engine control module, or potentially replacement of related sensors or electrical components.

While driving, your transmission suddenly downshifted and warning lights appeared on your dashboard for the Passenger Occupant Detection System and Electronic Power Control. When you restarted the vehicle, the same problem happened again. This combination of transmission and electrical warning signs suggests a fault in the vehicle's control systems that needs professional diagnosis.