VW Atlas Stalling Issue Points to Faulty Fuel Sensor

I had a similar issue with a VW Tiguan 2019 and can share my experience as someone with moderate car repair knowledge. The symptoms match exactly what I encountered, stalling at idle and a dashboard warning light related to the fuel system. My fuel gauge was also showing inconsistent readings. The level sensor fault triggered the check engine light, creating those stalling issues. In my case, it turned out to be a blown fuse in the fuel pump circuit. The workshop diagnosed it quickly using their diagnostic tools. Total repair cost was 52€, mainly for diagnostic time and fuse replacement. Pretty straightforward fix once identified. Before going to the shop, you can check a few things: Verify if the fuel gauge readings are consistent, Listen for the fuel pump priming when turning the key, Check all fuses related to the fuel system To provide more specific guidance, could you share: Are you getting any specific error codes? Does your fuel gauge show correct readings? Have you noticed any other electrical issues? When was your last fuel system maintenance? The car electronics in these VW models are pretty similar, so the diagnostic approach should work the same. Let me know these details and I can suggest more targeted troubleshooting steps.

Last service was done at 80000km where they performed routine maintenance, but the fuel system was not specifically checked. The error code is P0181 and the fuel gauge has been jumping between empty and full out of nowhere for the past week. No other electrical issues noticed. Our fuel system has never been serviced beyond regular filter changes. After reading both responses, I suspect the fuel sensor fault could indeed be causing these symptoms. The suggestion about checking the fuel pump fuse is helpful, will check that first before booking a workshop appointment. I can confirm the fuel pump does make its normal priming sound on startup, which could indicate the pump itself is still working correctly.

Thanks for the additional details about the P0181 code and fuel gauge behavior. Like my Tiguan case, the symptoms definitely point to a fuel system sensor issue, but there are some key differences. The P0181 specifically relates to the fuel temperature sensor circuit, not just the level sensor I initially suspected. The erratic fuel gauge readings combined with the temperature sensor code suggest a possible wiring harness problem in the fuel tank assembly. In my repair, while the fuse was the initial suspect, we actually found corroded wiring connectors at the fuel pump assembly. The total repair ended up being 280€ including parts and labor for the wiring harness replacement. Since your pump is making the proper priming sound, I would focus on: Testing the voltage at the fuel sensor connector, Inspecting the wiring harness for any obvious damage, Checking the ground connection at the fuel pump assembly The car electronics in these VW models often show similar symptoms for different underlying causes. Given your car has 90000km, the wiring degradation timeline matches what many owners experience. Would recommend getting a proper diagnostic scan done, many sensor fault conditions can trigger similar stalling symptoms, and the fuel temperature sensor involvement makes this a bit more complex than my initial assessment suggested.

Thanks for all the detailed feedback. Your wiring harness situation sounds very similar to what I might be dealing with. The erratic fuel gauge behavior combined with the P0181 code really points toward the electrical connections in the fuel tank assembly. Will definitely check the fuses first since that is an easy fix, but also booking a workshop appointment next week to get the wiring and sensors properly diagnosed. Expecting it might need a harness replacement like in your case if the connections are corroded. The 280€ repair cost gives me a good baseline for what to expect. At 90000km, some wiring issues make sense, and I would rather fix it properly than risk getting stranded somewhere due to the stalling. Really appreciate the specific fuel system diagnostic steps you shared. Will report back on what the actual problem turns out to be, as it might help other owners who encounter similar faulty sensor symptoms with their fuel gauge.