Volkswagen Atlas Complaints

981 consumer complaints on file.

#11651295March 28, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
When the Atlas is cold, there is a weird screeching/grinding sound coming from the drivers side front when I press the brakes while in motion. Car has 12 miles on it. Brought it into the dealer and they say that it’s a known issue with the OEM brakes, but as it “does not cause a safety concern” it’s not covered under warranty. Dealer said that he could replace brakes with non OEM and the problem would go away. Dealer says that it is from “initial brake build-up” but that it is not likely to go away without replacing the brakes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651068March 27, 2025
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650832March 26, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
I leased the car brand new, maybe a month or 2 later the brakes started making noise. I took it to VW 2-3x and they said that was just a common problem in the atlas and there’s nothing they can do about it. They suggested on the highway, when it is safe to slam the brakes to get rid of the noise. Not only is this dangerous but also my tires are worn down from constantly braking trying to get rid of the noise before I go anywhere. Also, a new issue that’s starting up is when I’m coming slowly to a stop, to get to the median or a roundabout, the car shuts down. This is also very dangerous and has gotten me in a position where a car almost hit me as I was approaching the median, the car shut off on me. I had to quickly put the car in brake, turn on the car and put it in drive to move my car out of the road where cars were approaching me
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650823March 26, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
The brakes sound horrible when they are cold. They grind and vibrate until they are warmed up and the car only has 8K miles on it. We are being forced to pay to have the brake pads replaced with ceramic brake pads from the semi-metallic factory ones. We have only had the car 2 weeks. They said VW would cover 70% of the cost, but with the number of complaints, this should be covered completely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650317March 24, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the recall repair was not performed. The contact stated the vehicle was at the dealer for five days. The contact stated that the dealer had not provided a receipt for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that the recall repair was not performed. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649852March 22, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes with difficulty and makes noise time to time and braking is very uncomfortable. It seems like a struggle to break at each stop. Bought vehicle from Dublin VM, mentioned this after 1 day of purchase. Service dept stated its normal so I had Bigotires check brakes too n they said brakes look okay. I'm a Mom w a child so our safety is a concern when driving this vehicle!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649733March 21, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The hood release cable of our 2021 VW Atlas broke at about 61,000 miles (so just out of warranty) and this appears to be a common issue with this year of Atlases. VW claims this is a known issue but there is no recall on this part. They want to charge me out of pocket to diagnose and repair this even though it is a faulty part. Especially considering the age of the car and how infrequently the hood release cable gets used.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649319March 19, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V100000 (Engine); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine cover had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649206March 19, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2024 Atlas SEL model does not have illuminated controls on the information system below the display. while trying to adjust settings at night it is possible to hit other vehicle functions and potentially get unwanted results that could result in destractions and unsafe driving such as accidentally deactivating the drive assist and driving mode buttons below. VW fixed the issue in 2025 but should issue a consumer convenience recall to fix this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649043March 18, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Starting at less than 15k miles the brakes started making loud grinding noises sounding like metal to metal grinding. The noises occured anytime the car was parked for any period of time. The noise would happen either in reverse or going forward. The car was taken to the dealership and I was told this was normal. I insisted it was not normal for a car with that many miles to have that kind of brake noise. The dealership replaced the brake pads and resurfaced the rotors. At 28k, the same problem with the brakes started again. The car is now at the dealership trying to get the issue fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649042March 18, 2025
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have attempted to have a recall repaired on the defected PODS sensor and everytime I have tried the dealership says that the part is on back order. I have had the airbag light come on multiple times with no remedy for the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648773March 17, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Grinding noise accompanied with vibration and pulsating feel in brake pedal. Fluid movement noises near driver footwell. Cavitation of hydraulic fluid in brake systems can result in corrosion and premature failure of components. Inconsistency in brake feel with pedal vibration has resulted in over and under braking. The problem has been substantiated 3 times by two independent dealers. No warning lights present.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648770March 17, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The panoramic sunroof shattered with no outside influence. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The interior fabric cover was retracted at the time and the glass shattered on my [XXX] daughter. My husband also received a few small cuts to this arms from pieces of glass on the center console while trying to check to make sure our child was safe. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealer is aware of the problem, but insists it was not a defect. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle was inspected by the service department at the dealership it was purchased from nine days prior to the incident. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. On Monday [XXX], my husband and daughter were traveling on an empty two-lane highway in rural Texas. There were no overpasses, no trees hanging over the roadway, and no other cars on the road. My husband said he heard a sound like a gunshot and then the glass was raining down on them. He pulled over immediately. We were able to get the care to the dealership we had purchased it from, 8 days earlier. Volkswagen denied our warranty claim (though the dealership did acknowledge similar issues in the past) and insists that there must have been an outside influence that struck the glass. My husband is adamant that is not the case, and simple physics make it clear that it would be impossible for our own tires to throw up a projectile with enough force to shatter the sunroof. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648509March 15, 2025
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING
Steering gear failed twice i have the first one make my car shake so bad and second it makes horrible noise every time i moved the steering wheel . Both front head light led failed for the day running light. Car has misfiring problems with spark plugs and injectors making driving unpredictable and engine start shaking out of nowhere and epc (electronic power control )light comes on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648416March 14, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
If you have the driver or passenger window down and try to roll it back up, it will roll all the way down before being able to roll back up. Stereo screen blacks out often while driving and won’t turn back on until you turn off and restart the car. Apple CarPlay won’t let the music selection display on the screen. I could go on and on and on. I hate this car and am almost 100% sure I got a lemon.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648415March 14, 2025
WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rattling or metal grinding sound coming from the right rear tire/wheel. I’ve had it checked out by two different dealerships and neither of them found a problem. The metal rattling noise occurs mostly while I’m doing in town driving (30-40 mph) but recently started doing it on the freeway as well. I don’t feel safe driving this car at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648414March 14, 2025
SEAT BELTS
Seatbelt light stays on and dings at me while driving, even though I am buckled. I’ve tried turning the car on and off to reset the seatbelt sensor and it doesn’t work.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648252March 13, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 wouldn’t 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648077March 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
In the ADAS system, the front camera doesn't turn on when the vehicle is pulled in to a parking space and only the beep sensors are turning on. However, once you put the car in reverse then it gets turned on. It poses a safety concern for pedestrians and other vehicles as well. The problem was reported immediately to the dealer and I was told this is the same across the VW Atlas 2025 line-up. The issue was there from the first day I bought the car (brand new) 2nd issue is the control panel under the display is not backlit and can distract the driver from the road when trying to find a switch at night time and it is too dark to see anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647785March 11, 2025
AIR BAGS
Volkswagen doesn’t have a repair for the front passenger airbag not going off due to a sensor failure. Customers such as myself were made aware in June of the issue and there is STILL no fix!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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