Volkswagen Atlas Complaints

981 consumer complaints on file.

#11560874December 19, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The radio will occasionally blast this really loud sound that sounds similar to a helicopter. The only way that I have found to stop it is to pull-over, turn-off the car, and wait for the radio to timeout (the radio will stay on for a period after the ignition is turned-off). From my online research (there are others with this same issue, and it appears to be related to the Fender sound system), the issue appears to be the main amplifier, but dealer has not been able to confirm this. This issue could potentially be dangerous as the sound is very loud and could possible scare someone into having an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11560572December 17, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
The breaks are very loud- squeaky and grinding. Have had them checked several times and break pads are in good condition. Additionally after the car is idle for several hours, it’ll be a loud gurgle when breaks are applied the first few “stops”. Additionally, when driving in cold weather the rear the stability assist light on the dash will engage. It will flash on and off so to be uncertain if the traction control is engaged on possible slippery roads
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11560294December 15, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle only has 15K miles and the breaks are already producing a grinding sound. Brought it back to the dealership and they said that the pads and rotors are measuring correct and that it was the humidity. No vehicle that we have ever experiences has had grinding, so new and blamed weather. They are stating that the pads and rotors are made up of higher iron and corrosion is happening quicker. This is unacceptable and put extra wear on the vehicle breaking components ultimately putting breaking at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11559377December 10, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes started going out at 20,000 miles along with tires falling apart.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11559300December 9, 2023
ENGINE
Head gasket failure. Dealership is going to replace the entire head (s) to fix the problem. An unknown amount of coolant fluid has leaked into the engine block. Untreated, the problem could have lead to engine failure while traveling at interstate speeds. VW of Lake Charles currently has my vehicle while the repairs take place. I noticed the coolant level was around minimum level on the overflow tank twice in the last 1-1.5 years. About 10 days ago, the coolant level dropped low enough for the sensor to go off, warning lights came on and the digital display stated low coolant. I also found dry coolant under the engine on the bottom of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11559194December 8, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LED strip on front left headlight went out at around 60K miles when we purchased the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11559066December 8, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
My brakes have been making a weird sound when I break and at times grind as if the brakes need to be changed. I have taken my car to be serviced for this issue and they tell me that my brakes are great with no issues. That the Atlas have that issue but it’s normal. There are times that it seems my brakes fail. This poses a safety risk for me and my family
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558524December 5, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. Dealer has accepted the problem and indicated they are unable to do anything, that all Atlas do the brake screetching and sensors going off with no reason. 2. Brakes- Everytime at starting the car in the morning or around 15 to 30 minutes after use (parked), they screech and it feels as if the pads slide and not truly break. This happens always along with a water-like gargling sound. The screeching also makes the sensors go off. The concern is the safety as you can feel the breaks do not respond the same when this happens vs after using three or four stops. You can feel and hearvhow the pads slide and the car has difficulty breaking. 2. The left side sensors of the mirror and side of car go off random and it is annoying to say the least. The safety issue is that when you are driving, reaching a stop and they go off, it can somewhat scare you and you then hit the breaks thinking something is really there being sensed by the sensors. This could cause an accident. I have videos of the sensors problem showing how even though there is nothing around, they go off. I alao have videos of the breaks making the noice.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557759November 30, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This car has stopped several times while I have been driving. Top speed on the highway, and the car stalls. It stops completely, and I will have to manually restart it. This has been happening for the past year, since I got the car. The dealership states they have updated the software to fix it. The screen does not always come on when I start the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557558November 29, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car engine shuts off several times a day, all the dash lights comes on and say that I am driving with the emergency transmission mode. The break is making a noise like metal against metal. My wife and kids are in risk because this is happening in the middle of a busy California freeway. I set up 2 service appointments that takes almost a month to find availability and when you finally find, they need the car for at least a week for testing, but cant provide a car loaner. no warnings before the engine stops.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557510November 29, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
A few weeks after we purchased the vehicle from the dealership, the brakes started making loud metallic noises and grinding. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where they replaced the brakes and then the issue occurred again just a few weeks after that repair. We continue to take the car back to the dealership and they now just keep telling us that there are no issues. I called Volkswagen directly and they sided with the dealer. At this point I have a vehicle that keeps having the same persistent issue. I did my own research and found that there are several other Atlas owners that are encountering the same issue in 2021+ models. This is a known issue and Volkswagen refuses to do anything about it. I have 2 kids and have do not feel confident in my cars brakes when they are in there.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557252November 28, 2023
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated after starting the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic advised the contact that there was a recall related to the failure, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V215000 (Air Bags). The VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557174November 28, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I had the door wiring harness repaired in May 2022 as part of the VW Atlas safety recall. The replacement part is now failing and causing the same dangerous conditions (windows going up and down sporadically, parking brake engaging) but because the recall was repaired once on my car, VW will not pay for a second replacement part and wants to charge $1000 for the repair which in my opinion should still be part of the original recall as a defective design.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557138November 27, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? YES How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? NO Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NO Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?YES. They cannot reproduce as they test drive the vehicle upon arrival and it something that happens when the car has been sitting.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556549November 23, 2023
ENGINE
Engine failure. Can not start. Lost all the fuel with in an 1 hr after filling the tank.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554512November 10, 2023
ENGINE
While driving the engine just stops running, no power at all and then it tells me to manually start the engine. This has happened at least 5 times in traffic!! Yesterday I was backing up and almost got hit because my engine died and I couldn't steer!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554182November 8, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: DYNAMIC BRAKE SUPPORT/BRAKE ASSIST
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact stated that while in the process of veering to the side of the road, the vehicle restarted independently. The contact continued driving; however, the Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Braking assist, Driving Assist, ESC system, TPMS warning lights, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the ACC mode exceeded the set speed while driving. The contact stated that she deactivated the ACC mode; however, while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle abruptly decelerated to 20 MPH upon releasing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 16,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554142November 8, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The Day Running Light LED strip of both headlights stopped working at around 55,000 miles. The fix for this includes replacing the whole unit which comes to around $2k for both headlight units. It seems unreasonable to have to replace both units at around every 55,000 miles. Many people might not have the funds and this could also lead to people buying third party headlights that might be installed incorrectly since it isn’t just a lightbulb and people might also not find a need to replace it at all which could lead to a safety issue. In conclusion it’s unreasonable to have to pay $2k every 55,000 miles to replace both headlight units. These LED strips also can’t just be replaced as they’re incased in the unit and can’t be changed out like you would be able to with a regular lightbulb.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554117November 8, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LED daytime running lights went out a few weeks ago at the same time, then yesterday both headlights went out at the same time as well. There have been no damages or wrecks in my vehicle and I am the only owner. There are no warning lights and according to the MyVW app, everything is fine. I cannot see well while driving at night anymore and this will cost me $2,000 to replace at only 60,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554114November 8, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This Atlas has been stalling the last 2 weeks. It happens when going very slow like 5 mph or less. The car turns off and says turn on manually. You have to throw it in park and start the car. I looked online and it is a known problem with this vehicle, many complaints stating the charcoal canister or n80 valve was the issue. I took my car to the dealer and they did a software update and said they couldn't get the car to stall after that. It has stalled again after the software update for me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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