VW Atlas Rough Idle Points to Failing Engine Mounts

Had the same symptoms on a 2017 VW Tiguan. The engine mount wear became obvious through increasing vibrations, particularly at idle. The rubber mount between the engine and frame had deteriorated, causing excessive movement. The diagnosis revealed both a cracked mounting bracket and worn rubber isolators. The transmission mount also showed signs of premature wear due to the extra stress from the failed engine mount. This turned into a serious repair since prolonged mount failure can damage other components including transmission seals and electrical connections. The repair involved replacing both the engine and transmission mounts along with associated hardware. A complete mount replacement was necessary to prevent future issues. After fixing the mounts, the rough idle disappeared completely and the harsh shifting sensation resolved. Would strongly suggest getting it checked soon, as continuing to drive with failing mounts can lead to additional damage. The symptoms match classic mount wear patterns common in this engine family. The repair shop should perform a complete mount inspection since these components typically wear as a set.

Thanks for sharing your experience. That sounds exactly like what I am dealing with right now. The vibration issues have gotten worse over the past few weeks, especially when idling. I am planning to take it to a shop this week to have them check the motor mount and transmission mount situation. Did you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the complete mount replacement? Also curious if you have had any related problems since getting it fixed? I want to make sure I budget properly for this repair and ensure everything gets addressed at once.

After getting the mounts inspected, it turned out the main issue was actually a loose cable connection to the engine mount sensor, not a complete mount failure as initially suspected. The vibration issues were caused by the system misreading the mount status. The repair was relatively minor at 95€ for fixing the connection. Much cheaper than expected and the vibration problems cleared up completely after the repair. The rubber mount and mounting bracket were all in good condition, just the electrical component was defective. Have not experienced any related issues in the months since the fix. This shows why proper diagnosis is important, what seems like major mount failure can sometimes be a simpler electrical issue. Would still recommend getting a thorough inspection of all mounting components while they have it up on the lift, just to be safe. Motor mount and transmission mount wear can happen gradually, so regular checks help catch problems early.

I took my Atlas to a local shop yesterday after reading about your experience. The mechanic found that both the engine mount and transmission mount had significant wear. The rubber mount on the passenger side was completely deteriorated, which explained the harsh vibrations I was feeling. The total repair came to 780€ including parts and labor. They replaced both mounts and one defective mounting bracket that had developed a crack. The whole job took about 4 hours. The difference is remarkable, no more vibrations at idle and the rough shifting is completely gone. The engine feels properly secured now and runs much smoother. Glad I got it fixed before any additional damage occurred from the failed mount. The shop did a thorough job documenting everything and showed me the worn parts they removed. Been driving it for a day now and it feels like a different vehicle. Really appreciate the advice about getting it checked promptly. Would have likely faced bigger issues if I had kept driving with those deteriorated mounts.