2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS Service Brakes Problems
73 complaints about Service Brakes
High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
All Service Brakes Complaints (73)
I received a brake booster fault caution which was followed by the BRAKE warning light being illuminated. When I applied pressure to the brakes, it almost felt as if the ABS was kicking in, on a flat, dry road. The brake pedal would "jump" and depress farther on its own like there wasn't a good vacuum for the brakes. I've taken it to my local VW service center and was informed they had to call VW Corporate for assistance in a fix and was given a list of components to possibly replace that "may" fix the issue but even after replacement, some customers still experience the same issue. I am currently awaiting an estimate but have significant concerns that any repair work may not actually address the root cause of this issue and when it's related to a major safety feature like the brakes, that presents a significant concern.
I have owned this car since 2018. I’ve had the “Brake Booster Faulty” error come on at least once a year. It’s very scary as the car just locks up. Luckily it has only happened driving locally, without anyone behind me, but this could lead to a SERIOUS accident. I have brought this to the VW dealer at least 3 times over the years and every time they say they cannot replicate or find any issues. It happened again last week, and again today. I have read that many people have experienced this issue but there is not much info out there on whether there is a fix. I really wish this would be addressed.
Brake booster Faulty/Brake Booster Failure light displays on the dash along with the red Brake light and a loud beeping sound. The brakes feel shaky and the vehicle doesn’t brake well for about 30 second after. It feels as if the brakes are palpating or skipping instead of a solid grip. After about 30-45 second those lights go back off and brakes resume normal breaking but the ABS light comes on. This issue has happened twice so far and random times when not braking. It appears to be other reports of this issues in the 2018 models but not recall. Other year models have had brake issues recalled l. This is a major safety issue and should be addressed with Volkswagen to resolve it. This will and probably has cause accidents.
Driving on a single lane road with no other cars on road (in front or behind) and car suddenly brakes to a complete stop and the crash warning sound become audible inside the car. This happened 1 other time about 1 month prior but car did not come to a complete stop that time. That incident there were other vehicles on the road but were at a fair distance away from the car and those vehicles were not braking or slowing down.
While driving my car made a loud beep sound and Faulty Brake Booster appeared on the dash and the BRAKE light came on and the brakes would not work properly. I was almost rear ended because of this.
The vehicle slammed on brakes, Electronic Stabilization Control light came on, transmission went into emergency mode, check engine light came on, and many other lights. I had to jerk the car to avoid the ditch since i was in a curve on a highway. Brakes continued to kick back and would not allow me to pull to side of road even in neutral. Battery message came on and said it was not charging. I was stuck in the lane and several people had to swerve or brake hard to miss me.
Today 3 times while driving my car braked on its own, emitted a loud noise and “Brake Booster Faulty” displays along with the ABS and Brake late. It also told me to power off the car. Prior to this there were no problems however I am now worried for safety reasons.
While driving down the road the vehicle automatically shuts off without power brakes or power steering. Must come to a complete stop put the vehicle into park and the vehicle will then restart. Has happened twice in one week.
Car starts beeping loudly and a “brake booster faulty” alarm pops up on the screen. Brakes become spongy during alarm and a little after. Issue has happened multiple times and has gone to the dealer multiple times for parts replacement/work. Other VW owners have complained of the same issue happening to them.
I have experienced an alert/alarm for a "Faulty Break Booster", "Break System Failure", as well as other Break related alarms go off while driving. Multiple times I have been going over 40 mph and the vehicle has instantly breaked and came to a stop on it's own. I have taken my vehicle to the dealer and was advised there is no issue. This issue seems to happen randomly as I have been unable to recognize any similarities between conditions and frequency.
Vehicle displays “Brake booster faulty” and all warning lights trigger. Vehicle auto brakes itself and stops with little ability to steer. No warning/fault codes were stored when brought into the repair shop to address the issue and they could not duplicate it. It is an intermittent problem but looking at online forums it is NOT ISOLATED AND IS DANGEROUS.
When starting up my vehicle the battery turns on but the engine will not start. My dash will light up with multiple warnings. These are the specific ones that warn me: Error: electronic stabilization control (ESC) Error: hill hold assist BRAKE - Brake booster faulty ERROR: Hill hold assist Front assist not available. ERROR: tire pressure monitoring system. Trans. in emerg. Mode. You can continue driving. FAULT: electronic parking brake. Eventually my car starts up, but this is after several attempts. Once I shut car off and go to start back up, it goes through the whole process again. My car was taken into Volkswagen dealership and they said it was my fuel pump, fuel filter & battery. They “fixed” that but by the time I drove my car home, the issue started back up again. My safety is 100% put at risk because not only does my car not start up right away but I can be driving my vehicle and it will slow me down on a main highway and make me brake and then I need to attempt to restart my car to get it started up again several times. I have children I drive around in this vehicle and it is not safe to drive. My car has been illuminating the check engine light and all the other ones for each error I stated above. The problem itself has not been identified. When I did research, the 2019-2020 VW Atlas’s were recalled for this same issue it seems. But mine wasn’t because it is a 2018.
While driving, the car suddenly slowed to nearly stopping and a "Brake Boost Faulty" red warning light displayed on the dashboard. I was not breaking at the time. The brake pedal felt soft and the car would not regain acceleration. I had to stop the car, turn off ignition, restart for the car to drive normally. This occurred twice once while driving over 40 miles per hour and again at approximately 25 mph. IN both cases I was not braking when the incident happened.
Our 2018 VW Atlas will randomly shut the engine off even with auto start/shut off disabled. This has happened 5 times in 3 months. It has done so on the highway and on main streets putting our family of 6 at risk of being in an auto crash every time. The brakes have automatically came on 2 times. Forward collision sensors come on with nothing in front of us which also puts the breaks on and makes a distracting loud beep which has made me jump out of surprise while driving. The EPA rated fuel economy is 26 highway and 22 city. We drive both and rarely get above 16 combined MPG even with multiple drivers and making an attempt at getting better economy. Our Atlas also makes a loud “clunk” sound from the undercarriage in the center/rear of the vehicle. It does this while driving or while parked with the vehicle idling. Also not major but sometimes when the front passenger window is half down, if you push the button to roll it up, it goes all the way down. We are going to take it in to VW soon but there is a lot wrong that either make driving it a hazard to ourselves and other drivers and makes us feel very uncomfortable. We love it but we are also afraid of it. There is currently no open recalls. I’ve been a mechanic, a machinist and an engineer for nearly 20 years. Some stuff just doesn’t make sense. I read the crank and cam pulses, usually you’d expect a drop in pulse that could cause the engine to shut down but there’s nothing. Nothing on the scan tool or on the onboard vehicle diagnostic.
I would be driving under 30mph and would get a warning on my dashboard that would say "Brake Booster Faulty", in addition the "Brake" light would illuminate and my brakes would become spongy and harder to engage.
When braking normally, the AEB alert tone sounded, and the display showed a red BRAKE warning with "Brake Booster Failure" displayed on-screen. The brakes then became extremely sensitive and caused the car to abruptly grind to a stop with full ABS action. This occurred in traffic, and the car behind me narrowly avoided a collision due to the uncommanded abrupt halt. I pulled over and the error cleared itself after a few seconds. I pulled the diagnostic error codes from the ECU, and this is the output: 0213 [0x0000D5] Archive (inactive) C10A329: Vacuum sensor, Implausible signal Single Vacuum Pressure Sensor sends no valid data Status bits: 1 Priority: 1 Frequency: 1 Unlearning index: 84 Odometer: 27031 km Date, time: 2023.03.27 09:34:50 Paramteric values: 00 00 80 18 32 00 00 00 CF 47 00 00 02 FF 00 5E 02 40 B0 00 00 00 10 Status: Confirmed (This is from a previous activation, but the recent one is the same). This is the third time this has happened, but the first to put me in actual danger of a crash. I have previously brought this to the dealer but no fix was applied. They were aware of this happening on other vehicles but they did not have a fix. The model year after was recalled due to wiring issues, but my car has never been recalled for anything related. I believe this is a significant safety issue and should be addressed by the manufacturer before it causes a serious incident.
Brake booster fault warning, brakes want to lock up. Rear seat belt buckles won’t allow belt buckle to insert. Have received brake booster fault several times recently. If I stop motor and restart warning goes away and brakes function correctly.
On several occasions when braking to come to a stop at a relatively low speed, the car began lurching as pressure was applied to the brake pedal. The brake pedal was jumping up and down and making a hydraulic-type noise. At the same time, a message indicating "Brake Booster Failure" appeared on the panel, and the parking brake light illuminated. The problem resolved after sitting still for approximately 30 seconds. The car is currently being serviced at a Volkswagen dealership, and they have not been able to diagnose any issues.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The front brakes unevenly wore to the point where the driver side brake is like new and the passenger side brake is a safety issue. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk Because of the extreme wear on the passenger side braking system the whole front braking system needed to be replaced prematurely to ensure safety. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? A simple Google search shows that this is a common issue with the 2018 VW Atlas. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? It was inspected by the manufacturer, but VW insists there is nothing wrong with the components despite not being able to explain why the passenger side front brake was so significantly more worn than the driver side front brake. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. This was identified during an oil change. I was told that it was a safety issue for me to be driving on a front brake that was so worn. When I brought it in for the brake work, I suggested there was a defect in the design and the brake replacement should be covered by the warranty. I was then informed that I really didn't need to have my brakes replaced at this time.
Twice over last few months the vehicle has just stopped on me on its own. Yesterday it said brake floater faulty and brakes didn’t work right. I pulled over, shut truck off and restarted and went away. It was fine after that.
We are RANDOMLY having our brake light come on, followed by an alarm and a “BRAKE BOOST FAULTY “ warning on out dash. While this is going on…the brakes will start “pumping” a few times with just a light touch of the brakes. This is starting to happen every day or two. The warning lasts about 30-45 seconds typically.
Alarm brake booster fault goes off and the brakes are harder to use and the brake effect is reduced. Have happend daily the last week.
Brake Booster faulty sensor, brakes spongy driving under 30mph happened twice now.
My trucks breaks has given out multiple times almost causing accidents in the middle of driving with no warning. Message on dash says faulty breaks , break failure before it quickly goes away. The abs break light comes on and the car stalls almost causing me to get rear ended. I purchased the car Oct 12,2021 car start having issues December 2021. It is extremely dangerous to drive. I took it to car max in forth myers fl when I almost hit a tractor trailer WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR ! Carmax refused to look at my vehicle or give me a rental for it being unsafe. This has happened on multiple occasions. I shouldn’t have to pay for something like this to get fixed when I was sold a faulty car from the start. I have spoke with a few Lawyers over this matter about CarMax and Voltswagon. I only have one photo I don’t have a chance to take other photos when it happens because Im to busy trying not to get hurt.
My car recently started feeling like my tires or rubbing on something when I make sharp turns. Now when I brake my car feels and sounds like it is grinding on something. It started happening while on way home from a trip a couple of days ago. While I wait for service appt the car is unsafe to drive as I need to really push on brake to ensure complete stop, it feels like the car is rubbing on metal and is very bumpy when coming to stop. Have only driven in slow speeds since returning home bc we are afraid the brakes will fail.
Emergency brakes occurred without anyone or anything in front of the car. Braking malfunction warning also came on.
THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE LIGHT CAME. THE BRAKE BOOSTER LIGHT APPEARED, THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SPONGY, PULSED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. ADDITIONALLY, THIS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAYS WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC WITH 4-5 CAR LENGTHS WITHIN THE SAME LANES MOVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SERVICE SHOP FOR NEARLY A MONTH. THE MANUFACTURER SENT TECHNICIANS/ENGINEERS TO TROUBLESHOOT AND HELP RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GOING ON A ROAD THAT HAD AN INCLINE OR DECLINE. THE WEATHER WAS DRY, SUNNY, WITH NO PRECIPITATION OF ANY KIND.
Mileage: 19,139
THE BRAKE BOOSTER LIGHT APPEARED, THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SPONGY, PULSED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. ADDITIONALLY, THIS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAYS WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC WITH 4-5 CAR LENGTHS WITHIN THE SAME LANES MOVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SERVICE SHOP FOR NEARLY A MONTH. THE MANUFACTURER SENT TECHNICIANS/ENGINEERS TO TROUBLESHOOT AND HELP RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GOING ON A ROAD THAT HAD AN INCLINE OR DECLINE. THE WEATHER WAS DRY, CLOUDY, WITH NO PRECIPITATION OF ANY KIND.
Mileage: 39,242
THE BRAKE BOOSTER LIGHT APPEARED, THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SPONGY, PULSED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THIS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAYS WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC WITH 4-5 CAR LENGTHS WITHIN THE SAME LANES MOVING 60 MPH AND DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. THE MANUFACTURER SENT TECHNICIANS/ENGINEERS TO TROUBLESHOOT AND HELP RESULT. THESE OCCURRENCES THE WAS NOT VEHICLE GOING ON A ROAD THAT HAD AN INCLINE OR DECLINE. 1) THE WEATHER WAS DRY, SUNNY, WITH NO PRECIPITATION OF ANY KIND. 2) THE WEATHER WAS DRY, NIGHT, WITH NO PRECIPITATION OF ANY KIND.
Mileage: 43,000
I HAVE A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS SEL.. THE BREAKS KEEP GOING OUT RANDOMLY AND AN ALARM GOES OFF THAT THE BREAK BOOSTER IS FAULTY... IT MAKES A HORRIBLE CLICKING NOISE LIKE THE BREAKS ARE TRYING TO WORK BUT THERE IS NOTHING FOR LIKE 10-35 SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT... I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (HALLMARK VOLKSWAGEN- COOLS SPRINGS, TN) AND THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE SAFE VW WAS WORKING ON A RECALL!? WELL I HAVE ALMOST HIT A CAR AND BLOWN THROUGH A STOP SIGN BECAUSE MY CAR WON'T STOP' LOOKING FOR MORE HELP BC THE LOCAL DEALER IS USELESS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR, NOR DO I FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN IN IT.
Mileage: 71,100
ATLAS IS ON ITS 3RD BATTERY IN 30,000 MILES. WHEN THE BATTERY FAILS IT WILL DIE IN AN INTERSECTION DURING AUTO START STOP. AFTER BOOSTING ELECTRONIC STEERING, BRAKES, ADAPTIVE LIGHTING, REGULAR LIGHTING, BLINKERS ALL FAIL AND OFTEN LIMITS TO 15 MPH
Mileage: 30,000
THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT TURN OFF ONCE PRESSED. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THREE WEEKS.
Mileage: 34,000
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, ENGINE AND BRAKES STOP WORKING 2 TIMES. GOT THE CAR IN THE VW SHOP , THEY SAID IT WAS A LOOSE FUSE CONNECTOR. THEY "FIX IT" AND 2 DAYS LATER WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. CAR WILL BE BACK ON SHOP. CALLED VW EACH TIME, OPENED A CASE WITH THEM TO.
Mileage: 37,500
I'VE HAD SCARY PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE ASSIST AND LANE ASSIST. WITH LANE ASSIST THE VEHICLE HAS MADE SUDDEN VIOLENT TURNS TO STAY IN A LANE. SOMETIMES IF THERE'S A GAP IN THE ROAD LINES (SUCH AS A TURN LANE) LANE ASSIST CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE. ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS FINE BUT I'VE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHEN TRAFFIC AHEAD STOPPED ABRUPTLY WHERE IT WOULDN'T HAVE STOPPED IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION.
Mileage: 25,000
MARCH 5, 2020. 2018 VW ATLAS, 2017 MID-YEAR DELIVERY. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OF EMERGENCY BRAKING BEING PERFORMED BY THE CAR WITHOUT DRIVING CONDITION NEEDING THE SAFETY INTERVENTION. THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE OCCURRENCES TO DATE WITH THE VEHICLE: 1. DRIVING I-75 IN TO ATLANTA --WHILE DRIVING NEXT TO AN 18 WHEELER (18-W) [TANKER] , THE CAR SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES WHILE AT A SPEED AROUND 75 UNTIL THE CAR WAS BEHIND THE REAR OF THE TRAILER. THERE WAS NO CONDITION FOR NEED THIS REACTION (THE 18-W AND I MAINTAINED LANE CONTROL.) 2. SOME RANDOM MONTHS LATER, THE CAR PERFORMED A EMERGENCY BRAKING WHILE ON I-20 WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN TWO 18-WS [ 2 TANKER]. THE CAR SPEED WERE INTERSTATE SPEEDS AND NO CONDITIONS THAT NEEDED THE INTERVENTION. 3. WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC CLOSED TO I-20 ON A FOUR LANE SECONDARY ROAD, THE VEHICLE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE DUE TO TRAFFIC BACKUP AT A STOP LIGHT. IT CASED MY CARGO TO SLIDE FORWARD TO ALL THE SEAT BACKS. 4. THIS WAS ANOTHER BRAKING ACTION OCCURRED WITH AN 18W [FLATBEAD]. 5. MARCH 3, 2020, THE LATEST WAS A SIMILAR EMERGENCY BRAKING WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE BRAKING ACTION WAS NOT AS HARD AND RELEASED AFTER CLEARING THE REAR TRAILER OF THE 18-W. SINCE THE CARS DO NOT GENERATE AN ERROR CODE THE COMMON DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND A FAULT. THE SAFETY SYSTEMS SHOULD BE MODIFIED TO GENERATE INCIDENT CODE WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKING OCCURS SINCE THE CONDITIONS ARE PERFORMED IN A ROBOTIC FUNCTION (NON-DRIVER CONDITION). I GENERALLY TALK TO THE VW SERVICE TECH ABOUT THIS FINDING EVERY TIME I AM IN VW SERVICE AREA TO SEE IF THE CONDITION IS PRESENT IN OTHER VEHICLES.
Mileage: 30,500
THE FAULTY BRAKE BOOST WARNING CONTINUES TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING EVEN AFTER BEING "FIXED" BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CARS BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME WHEN I WAS REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPOT? THEN THE CAR TURNED COMPLETELY OFF?? I HAD TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND CONTINUE TO PARK?? THERE WAS ALSO AN AUTO START/ STOP ERROR WARNING THAT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING!!
Mileage: 25,000
AFTER 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR, AND ABOUT 34K MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE ROTOR AND PADS OF THE FRONT BRAKES. THE PART OF THE ROTOR FACING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WERE GAUGED ABOUT 2MM DEEP BY THE PADS. THOSE PADS STILL HAD ABOUT 2MM LEFT OF LIFE ACCORDING TO THE TECH. THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF THE ROTOR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH THE PADS STILL HAVING ABOUT 4MM. HAVING TO REPLACE PADS AND ROTORS AFTER SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF LIFE SHOWS INAPPROPRIATE DESIGN. ADDITIONALLY THE FACT THAT THE ROTOR WAS MORE THAN WORN OUT ( THE PAD CREATED A GROVE ON THE ROTOR) SHOWS: 1/ A HUGE DIFFERENCE OF FORCE APPLIED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER PAD 2/ POSSIBLE MATERIAL ISSUE ON EITHER THE PADS OR THE ROTOR
Mileage: 34,000
ON MANY OCCASIONS, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM AND BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEMS HAVE ENGAGED AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES. MOST RECENTLY, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WHEN SAFELY MERGING WITH PROPER SIGNALING FROM THE RIGHT LANE, WHICH WAS ENDING, TO THE NEXT TO THE LEFT LANE WHEN THE ONLY VEHICLE IN THE VICINITY WAS FULLY IN THE LEFT TURN LANE. THERE WAS ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN OUR VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION BUT THE HARD BRAKING WAS UNNECESSARY AND COULD HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE OR MORE SERIOUS INJURIES THAN THOSE SUSTAINED BY THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER CAUSED BY THE SEATBELT LOCKING ON THE COLLARBONE AND CHEST BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN APPLICATION OF BRAKES. ANOTHER RECENT INCIDENT WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SAFELY CHANGING LANES WITH PROPER SIGNALING FROM THE FAR LEFT LANE TO THE CENTER LANE AND THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM PREVENTED CHANGING LANES WHEN THE CLOSEST TO THE RIGHT VEHICLE WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE, ONE LANE FURTHER THAN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE INTO. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED WHILE CHANGING LANES TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH DEBRIS OR ANOTHER VEHICLE, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE OR INJURIES.
Mileage: 49,800
ROTARS ARE WARPED AFTER REPORTING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES TO THE DEALER ON OCT 6,2017 CURRENT MILEAGE IS 27,000
Mileage: 20,425
THE CAR STOPS ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH ILLUMINATE, AND CAR STARTS AGAIN AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. TWICE GOING UP THE DRIVEWAY AND THREE TIMES WHILE ON BACK ROADS. NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF OR BEHIND US FOR TWO OF THE TIMES. ONE OF THE TIMES, IT WAS DURING TRAFFIC SO THE SPEED WAS SLOW ENOUGH NOT TO HAVE AN IMPACT. ONE OTHER TIME IT STOPPED ABOUT HALF A CAR LENGTH AWAY FROM THE CURB WHEN PARKING THE CAR. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING 70, WITH THE BLINKER ON TO GET OVER TO THE CENTER LANE, THE CAR JERKED ME BACK TO THE RIGHT..I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE, A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, A CAR BEHIND ME, NO CARS IN THE MIDDLE LANE, AND TWO IN THE FAR LEFT LANE COMING UP. ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO THINK THERE WAS A CAR TO THE LEFT OF ME. THE TWO CARS IN MY ORIGINAL LANE AND THE TWO CARS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE REMAINED IN THOSE LANES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM, SO THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUES. MY CASE WAS ESCALATED TO THE SE REGIONAL CASE MANAGER, WHO PUT THE CASE IN FOR REVIEW TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOTIFIED TODAY, 10/18/2019, THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BUY IT BACK BUT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANTY. HOW CAN THEY SERVICE THE VEHICLE IF THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY EXPECT TO DRIVE THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE UNTIL SOMEONE DIES! I PAID EXTRA TO BUY THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES, WHICH IS WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO BE UNSAFE. IT WOULD BE UNETHICAL TO SALE THE CAR, BUT TOO UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE AND PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK OF GETTING IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND DYING. PLEASE HAVE A RECALL ISSUED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE DIES AND TELLING CONSUMERS TO DISABLE THESE FUNCTIONS IS NOT THE RIGHT ANSWER EITHER. I HAVE HAD ISSUES FROM THE BEGINNING, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS HICCUPS. DATE IS APPROXIMATE.
Mileage: 18,000
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY BRAKED HARD. I ALSO APPLIED THE BRAKE AND FELT CONFIDENT THAT IT WOULD HAVE STOPPED ON TIME. THE ATLAS AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM TOOK OVER AND PUT MY CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS UNABLE TO APPLY THE GAS TO KEEP GOING UNTIL I PUT CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF CAR AND RESTART, PUT BACK IN DRIVE AND GOT OUT OF THERE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE HOPING THAT NO CARS BEHIND ME WOULD CRASH INTO ME WITH 3 CHILDREN IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE.THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE SINCE TURNED OFF THE FRONT ASSIST MECHANISM. HOWEVER, EVERY TIME I START THE CAR I MUST REMEMBER TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT DEFAULTS BACK TO FRONT ASSIST.
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AND THEN MADE A METAL GRINDING SOUND. AN ALERT WENT OFF AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. THE AUTOMATIC BRAKES ENGAGED AND SLAMMED ON. THE BRAKE LIGHT WENT SOLID AND THEN OFF, AND WAS REPLACED BY A "BRAKE BOOSTER FAULTY" WARNING. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTIONING.
Mileage: 14,000
PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOTS WHERE THERE IS SLIGHT DIP CRASH AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WILL KICK IN WHILE TURN INTO TRAFFIC AND WILL STOP THE VEHICLE ALMOST MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, ALMOST GOT T BONE FEW TIME, I HAVE BROUGHT UP TO VW ATTENTION, DEALER KEEPS SAYING NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE . TO ME IT IS SAFETY CONCERN, DEFINITELY FOR VW, THANK YOU
Mileage: 7,000
WHEN EXITING A DRIVEWAY INTO TRAFFIC, IF THERE IS A DECLINE OR HILL, THE AUTOMATIC BREAKING CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW IN 2 DIFFERENT PLACES. THE SENSORS START BEEPING AND THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WHERE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR BACK IN GEAR AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I LET THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT VW IN DEVON KNOW AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS.
Mileage: 12,000
MY 2018 VW ATLAS BRAKE SENSORS THAT ACTIVATE WHEN THEY SEE SOMETHING THAT MAY CAUSE A CRASH SLAMMING THE BRAKES ON. THAT WOULD BE GOOD IF IT WAS REASONABLE BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THE BRAKES SLAM ON JUST DRIVING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY!! I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VW AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN THE DESIGN SETTINGS. IT ALWAYS DOES IT WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT SO WHEN PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY IT IS A CRAP SHOOT WHETHER IT WILL ACTIVATE THE BRAKES OR NOT, AND IT IS GOING TO CAUSE A ACCIDENT BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN OR WHERE IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I WROTE A COMPLAINT AT CAR COMPLAINTS.COM AND I SAW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WORRY ABOUT THE SNOW AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IT IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION PLEASE HELP WITH GETTING VW TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Mileage: 14,758
HI MY WIFE DRIVES A 2018 ATLAS AS OUR FAMILY CAR. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING HAS SUDDENLY ENGAGED WHEN THERE WERE NO CARS NEAR THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE PARKING ON FLAT SURFACES IN AN EMPTY LOT, PARKING IN EMPTY LOT ON A VERY SLIGHTLY INCLINE, AND WHILE CRUISING WITHIN A HIGHWAY LANE WITHOUT A CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OR BEHIND US. UNPREDICTABLE UNCONTROLLED SUDDEN BRAKING IS DANGEROUS AND CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE COLLISIONS. THE ATLAS IS A VEHICLE WHICH IS COMMONLY USED TO TRANSPORT FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN. I HOPE A NHTSA RECALL CAN BE ISSUED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.
Mileage: 7,000
AS I WAS GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION THE CAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING TURNED ON AND CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I WAS ALMOST T-BONED BY ANOTHER CAR. THERE ARE NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME. CLEAR DAY. 85 DEGREES. 9 AM.
Mileage: 10,153
ON MONDAY 6/10/2019 AT 18:10, I WAS DRIVING WEST ON CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 91 IN RIVERSIDE CALIFORNIA. I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH MY WIFE, THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL, GOING 65 MPH. THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME, I WAS DRIVING IN THE SECOND LANE FROM THE RIGHT. MY CAR APPROACHED AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK AND IT WAS PASSING THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS ON THE RIGHT LANE, MY CAR APPROACHED ON THE NEXT LANE TO THE LEFT. THE CAR WAS STILL ON CRUISE CONTROL AND I WAS STILL ON THE PHONE WITH MY WIFE. AS THE CAR WAS PASSING THE TRUCK, THE VW ATLAS EXECUTES AN EMERGENCY BRAKE AS IF SOMETHING WAS IN MY WAY. THE CAR GAVE NO WARNINGS BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD.
Mileage: 33,000
AS I'M DRIVING AND TAP MY BREAKS, MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND THE DEALER TELLS ME MY FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED. I'VE ONLY DRIVEN 20,000 MILES AND I'VE GOT TO REPLACE THE ROTORS? THEY TELL ME I'VE GOT TO PAY AND IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY, I CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME. ITS A LOW MILEAGE SUV WITH ROTOR ISSUES, THAT TELLS ME VW USES LOW QUALITY PRODUCTS AND WON'T STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT.
Mileage: 19,480
EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY PREVIOUS RECALLS I HAVE JUST HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PETAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING LESS THAN 5 MPH. ACTIVE START STOP SYSTEM (FUEL EFFICIENCY) WAS ENGAGED BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WAS ACTIVE. VEHICLE WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC HEADED DOWNHILL. I WAS EXITING A PARKING GARAGE ON A CITY STREET.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN AND HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH FULL FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEFTIN WESTLAKE VOLKSWAGEN (3550 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362) ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE THEY REPLACED THE LOW PRESSURE SENSOR FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THE VACUUM HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,039.
Mileage: 13,039
WHILE DRIVING YESTERDAY I WAS EXITING A SHOPPING PLAZA ON A CITY STREET AND TURNED RIGHT AND MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. MANY CARS WERE COMING AND HAD TO SLAM ON THEIR BREAKS THANKFULLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE MANEUVER BREAKING SENSORS. I DRIVE AND CONSTANTLY HEAR BEEP BEEP BEEP FROM THEM SENSING SOMETHING, WHEN IN FACT NOTHING IS EVEN NEAR MY CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW. PLEASE DO A RECALL ASAP TO FIX THIS.
Mileage: 100
WAS DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE ALL OF A SUDDEN MALFUNCTIONED AND TURNED ON, AND LOCKED UP ALL MOVEMENT. THE SYSTEM WAS SCREAMING ELECTRONIC BRAKE MALFUNCTION, DO NOT DRIVE, BRAKE IS ACTIVATED. I WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY PUT IT BACK UP NEAR MY HOUSE IN THE PARKING PORTION OF THE DRIVEWAY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THE BRAKE HAS MALFUNCTIONED HOWEVER IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT IT HAS DONE IT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, NORMALLY I CAN TURN OFF THE CAR WAIT ABOUT 5 MINUTES OR SO AND THEN IT'LL STOP MALFUNCTIONING HOWEVER THIS TIME THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I COULD NOT GET THE BRAKE TO TURN OFF. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (STILL SHOWING A MALFUNCTION AFTER VEHICLE WAS OFF ALL DAY). AT THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL DAYS, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE INCIDENT AND THE CAR DOES NOT KEEP A LOG OF MALFUNCTIONS INTERNALLY SO THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE. I HAVE A LONG LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS, CAMERA SYSTEMS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC FAILURES GOING BACK THROUGH AUGUST 2018
Mileage: 30,000
2/20/2019 AT 16:19 PST - I WAS DRIVING ON A CLOUDY AFTERNOON, APPROACHING A RAILROAD CROSSING, ABOUT 100 FT AWAY. MY ATLAS' RADAR WAS TRIPPED BY SOMETHING AND THE CAR SLAMMED THE BRAKES TO AVOID A CRASH. EXCEPT THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE ROAD. I AM GLAD THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND ME OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH.
Mileage: 30,000
THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM KEEPS ACTIVATING WITHOUT REASON, SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, WHEN THERE ARE NO OBSTACLES IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS EVEN WHEN 'FRONT ASSIST' AND 'LANE ASSIST' ARE SWITCHED OFF. DURING OUR TRIP FROM TEXAS TO ARIZONA AND BACK, THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 10 TIMES. IT ALWAYS OCCURS WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SWITCHED ON, WHILE IN THE LEFT LANE, PASSING A SEMI TRUCK. EACH TIME, THE ATLAS WAS CLEARLY IN OUR LANE AND THE TRUCK WAS DEFINITELY IN ITS LANE, NOT WANDERING OVER THE LANE DIVIDER. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN ON A STRAIGHT AWAY AND ALSO WHEN PASSING A TRUCK ON A LEFT CURVE. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. IF ANY VEHICLE HAD BEEN CLOSE BEHIND US WHEN IT ACTIVATED, IT WOULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF US.
Mileage: 36,192
TRANSMISSION/MOTOR IS MAKING A WHISPPING SOUND WHEN YOU ACCELORATE ON THE GAS. HAVE REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS. IT IS A TERRIBLE SOUND. CAR IS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES
Mileage: 10,000
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVEN RECALLS ON THE 2018 ATLAS LAUNCH EDITION. COOK VW IN FALLSTON HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR AT LEAST 5 RECALLS. IT'S BEEN MONTHS AND THEY HAVEN'T REPAIRED ANYTHING. WE TOOK FAITH IN THESE PEOPLE AND THEY COULD CARE LESS FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. TODAY WE GOT A RECALL LETTER ABOUT THE IGNITION. THAT MAKES 6 RECALLS THEY WILL NOT FIX. MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. DON'T HAVE DATES BUT THEY SHOULD BE IN THE DATABASE AT THIS DEALERSHIP. THEY ALL HAPPENED IN 2018.
2018 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS SEL HAS A SAFETY SYSTEM CALLED MANEUVER BRAKING. THE FUNCTION OF THE BRAKING IS 'MANEUVER BRAKING PROTECTS THE DRIVER FROM A COLLISION. IT PREVENTS UNPLEASANT DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, AND TO ANY OBJECTS NEAR THE VEHICLE,' SAYS DEVELOPER LYNN BRENNECKE. I WAS EXITING A PARKING LOT MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC. IT WAS NIGHTTIME, MY HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, CLEAR WEATHER, AROUND 70 DEGREES. THE AREA WAS A RESIDENTIAL/INDUSTRIAL MIX. THE PARKING LOT EXIT HAD A SLIGHT SLOPE. WHEN THE TRAFFIC WAS CLEAR I ACCELERATED TO ENTER THE TRAVEL LANES AND THE ATLAS ACTIVATED THE "MANEUVER BRAKING" THEREFORE BRINGING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I WAS WELL INTO THE SECOND TRAVEL LANE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO OBSTACLES SUCH AS OTHER VEHICLES, TRAFFIC CONES, ANIMALS, BRANCHES ETC. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DEADLY, WHAT IF THE BREAK IN TRAFFIC WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP COMPLETELY AND RESTART BEFORE TRAFFIC ARRIVED. I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE ATLAS WILL SUDDENLY DECIDE IT IS TIME FOR A "MANEUVER BRAKING" EPISODE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.
Mileage: 500
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 10/31/18 AND ON 11/4/18 WE ARRIVED AT A RELATIVE'S HOME IN WESTCHESTER. THIS AREA HAS NO SIDEWALKS OR PARKING LANE. WE PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE STREET TO PARK. THE STREET IS A SLIGHT HILL AND THE SHOULDER WAS VERY UNEVEN. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS UPHILL. MY HUSBAND HAD CUT THE WHEELS TO TH E ROAD WHEN PULLING IN. ONCE IN PARK AND THE CAR OFF, HE EXITED AND WALKED BEHIND THE CAR TO COME ROUND AND HELP ME GET OUT ON THE ROUGH SHOULDER. BEFORE HE MADE IT TO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS DOWNHILL INTO THE STREET. I INSTICTIVELY WENT FOR THE SHIFT. THE SHIFT WAS ALREADY IN THE PARK POSITION BUT THE CAR WAS MOVING! BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A VERY STEEP HILL, THE ELEVATION CHANGE AT THE TRANSITION FROM THE DIRT SHOULDER TO THE ASPHALT ROAD STOPPED THE CAR WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL MET THE ASPHALT EDGE. THIS ROAD IS NARROW AND WINDING. WE WERE FORTUNATE NOONE WAS COMING ROUND THE BEND. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP 30-40% INTO THE CAR LANE WITH NO DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL. IN ITS SIMPLEST STATE IT APPEARS THAT THE TRANSMISSION PARK GEAR DID NOT ENGAGE, YET IT WAS DEFINITELY IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE A MANUEL PARKING BRAKE. TO BE HONEST, THE HILL WOULD NOT HAVE SEEMED TO WARRANT THE NEED FOR A PARKING BRAKE IF THE PARKING GEAR WERE ENGAGING PROPERLY. WE HAVE JUST CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO CLAIMED IGNORANCE OF ANY SUCH PROBLEMS EVER EXISTING. HE SUGGESTED WE MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT & HAVE THE AUTO CHECKED OUT. I SUSPECT SO THEY CAN FORMALLY TELL US IT IS OUR IMAGINATION. AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS ON FILE, I AM SORRY WE DID NOT LOOK HERE BEFORE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT VW OR ANY OTHER CAR MANUFACTURER SEEMS ANXIOUS TO CORRECT DESIGN FLAWS UNTIL THERE ARE SUFFICIENT DEATHS.
Mileage: 300
WHEN VEHICLE TRAVEL DOWN AN INCLINE LIKE A DRIVEWAY, THE EMERGENCY BREAKING FEATURE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY ENGAGED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN STOP. WHEN THIS OCCURS, I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. I AM REQUIRED TO CHANGE GEARS AND/OR RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THIS POSES A EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AS THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN WHEN YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A PRIVATE DRIVE AND ON TO A ACTIVE ROADWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A SIDE ON VEHICLE COLLISION. ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SERVICE MANAGER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. SERVICE MANAGER ALSO TESTED ANOTHER VW ATLAS ON THE SALE LOT WITH THE SAME FEATURE. SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED THAT THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED WITH THE OTHER ATLAS AS WELL. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, REPORTING THE VEHICLE IS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED." THIS ISSUE POSES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE NO ONLY TO THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE, BUT TO OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD. VOLKSWAGEN HAS BEEN GIVEN NOTICE OF THE ISSUE AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OF TAKE ACTION.
Mileage: 1,000
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR TWO MONTHS AND IT HAS NOW BEEN IN SERVICE TWICE. AS OF TODAY THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS. THE AUTONOMOUS BREAK SYSTEM IS WAY TOO SENSITIVE AND THE CAR STOPS GOING DOWN STEEP INCLINES OR GOING OVER POT HOLES WHILE IN MOTION. THE CAR HAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AT LEAST 7 TIMES. I TAKE IT TO SERVICE, THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECORD IN THE CARS COMPUTER OF THE INCIDENT. THE FRONT SENSORS ARE ALWAYS BEEPING. I PULL UP TO A STOP SIGN, THE SENSORS GO OFF. I DO A U-TURN AND THE SENSORS GO OFF. SOME DAYS WAY TOO EXCESSIVELY, SOME DAYS NOT AT ALL. IT SCARES ME TO DEATH AND I SLAM ON MY BRAKES BECAUSE I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO HIT SOMETHING. I TAKE IT TO SERVICE, THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECORD OF IT IN THE CARS COMPUTER. FRONT END COLLISION ALERT, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE ROAD AND THE FRONT END COLLISION ALERT WENT OFF. I OF COURSE SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO TRAFFIC, THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. I TAKE IT TO SERVICE, THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECORD IN THE CARS COMPUTER OF IT. SERVICE HAS BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SENSORS, BUT SAYS THERE IS NO FIX. THE CUSTOMER CARE REP FOR VW STATED TODAY ON THE PHONE THAT THEY RECOGNIZE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSITIVITY OF THE AUTONOMOUS BREAKING BUT HAS NO FIX FOR IT SO I WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. I LIVE IN HOUSTON, I WILL DIE IF I HIT A POT HOLE AND STOP. IT'S UNACCEPTABLE AND A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. I AM READING ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE AUTONOMOUS BRAKING PROBLEMS. IT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE. I WAS ABLE TO VIDEO THE ISSUE WITH THE SENSORS AND VW HAS THE VIDEO AND RECOGNIZES A PROBLEM BUT STATES THAT'S JUST THE WAY THE CAR IS GOING TO WORK. STATES THEY SEE THE ISSUE THERE TOO, BUT THERE IS NO FIX.
Mileage: 1,000
WHEN DESCENDING AN INCLINE AT SLOW SPEED TO TURN ONTO A ROADWAY THE SENSOR PERCEIVES THE ROAD AS AN OBSTACLE WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO AUTO-STOP PARTIALLY IN THE ROAD. I THEN HAVE TO DISENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND BEGIN AGAIN. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSAFE. IT HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES WHEN LEAVING MY OWN DRIVEWAY.
Mileage: 6,000
THE AUTONOMOUS BREAKING SYSTEM AND PEDIATRIAN WARNING SENSORS ARE MALFUNCTIONING MAKING MY CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SINCE IT'S PURCHASE IN JANUARY 2018, THE BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP AT LEAST 10 TIMES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I CAN RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM WHEN I AM MOVING SLOWLY ON AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. IN ADDITION, AS I SLOW DOWN TO APPROACH A STOP SIGN OR A RED LIGHT, THE ALARMS GO OFF SUGGESTING THAT THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE ROADWAY AT LEAST HALF OF THE TIME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY LOCAL VW SERVICE STATION THAT THERE ARE NO ERRORS BEING RECORDED BY THE CAR'S SYSTEM THAT CAN BE CORRECTED AND AT THIS TIME ALL ATLAS CARS THAT THEY HAVE TESTED ON THE LOT ARE HAVING DOING THE SAME THING. THEY WERE ABLE TO RECREATE THE AUTO-BRAKING ON A HILL ON THEIR LOT, BUT HAVE NO WAY TO STOP IT FROM HAPPENING. ON SATURDAY, 8/18/2019 WHILE I WAS SLOWLY PULLING OUT OF A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER, MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN DOWN AN INCLINE THE CAR BRAKES LOCKED UP AFTER I ENTERED THE ACTIVE ROADWAY- AS A RESULT I WAS NEARLY T-BONED BY A CAR THAT HAD JUST MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO THE SAME ROADWAY. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THAT DRIVER WAS MOVING SLOW ENOUGHT TO STOP. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED VW CAR NET, I WAS CONNECTED TO MY DEALER, AND THEY TOOK THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. AS I MENTIONED ABOVE, AFTER 5 DAYS THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE INITIATED A COMPLAINT WITH VW OF AMERICA AND AM WRITING TO TELL YOU THAT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A CAR THAT WILL STOP ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD WAY. I DO NOT WANT MY FAMILY TO BE THE VICTIMS OF A PREVENTABLE ACCIDENT AND WANT THIS PROBLEM FIXED BEFORE THERE IS A CATASTROPHE FOR ME OR ANOTHER ATLAS OWNER. PLEASE ME KNOW HAVE OTHER INFORMATION I CAN GIVE YOU SO THAT YOU CAN PROPERLY INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM.
Mileage: 7,500
I BOUGHT A VW ATLAS 2018 EXPECTING THE FRONT ASSIST FEATURE, WHEREBY IF THE SUV DETECTS AN OBSTACLE IN ITS PATH, IT WILL ENGAGE THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A COLLISION. UNFORTUNATELY I AM EXPERIENCING A SITUATION WHERE THE FEATURE COULD CAUSE A COLLISION. FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH VM SERVICE, THE SENSOR THAT DETECTS OBSTACLES POINTS FROM THE GRILL, DIRECTLY OUT, AND PARALLEL TO THE ROAD. WHEN DRIVING ON A DOWN SLOPE THAT LEVELS OUT, THE SENSOR WILL DETECT THE ROAD, AND, ASSUMING IT IS AN OBSTACLE, ENGAGE THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE TO AVOID COLLISION. AT SPEEDS >10MPH, THERE IS NO DETECTION. BUT, I DISCOVERED (MULTIPLE TIMES) THAT ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM A CAR PARK CREATES THE DOWN ANGLE, AND (BECAUSE ITS IS ESSENTIAL TO DRIVE SLOWLY EXITING A CAR PARK TO FULLY OBSERVE THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC) THE SPEED WHEREBY THE FEATURE ENGAGES AND STOPS THE SUV. IN MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THIS HAS STOPS US IN INCOMING TRAFFIC, WITH THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF A DRIVERS SIDE COLLISION. I HAD STARTED TO DISABLE THE FRONT ASSIST FEATURE BUT DISCOVERED THIS MUST BE DONE ON EVERY TRIP, AND OF COURSE (A) SOMETIMES THIS IS FORGOTTEN AND (B) OTHERS DRIVING THE SUV MAY NOT REMEMBER OR EVEN KNOW. I FEEL THAT THIS FEATURE (ACKNOWLEDGEDLY A GREAT SAFETY FEATURE WHEN DRIVING ON A LEVEL ROAD), IS ACTUALLY A POTENTIAL COLLISION HAZARD WHEN DRIVING IN THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
Mileage: 2,000
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP ON A CITY STREET AFTER FULL APPLICATION OF BRAKES CAUSING COLLISION AND DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER . I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM WALKS WAGON THAT CERAMIC COATING ON THE BRAKES NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY BRAKE ISSUES PRIOR TO THE COLLISION .THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 4100 MILES AND CURRENTLY AT THE COLLISION CENTRE .
Mileage: 4,100
I?M CONTACTING YOU WITH AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE VW ATLAS WE LEASED 2 MONTHS AGO. THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM DEPLOYS AT UNEXPECTED AND INAPPROPRIATE TIMES PRODUCING A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM HAS ACTIVATED, DANGEROUSLY AND INAPPROPRIATELY, SEVERAL TIMES, USUALLY WHEN PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A LANE. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO OBSTRUCTION OR RISK OF COLLISION, THE CAR SENSES THE INSIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN SLOPE FROM DRIVEWAY TO ROAD AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKES CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE ALL CONTROL. THE CAR IS THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. RECENTLY, MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR LOCAL SUPERMARKET AND MADE A LEFT TURN. THE AUTOMATIC BREAKING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED AND SHE WAS LEFT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ANOTHER DRIVER BARELY AVOIDED COLLIDING INTO OUR REAR SIDE DOOR WHERE OUR 3 YEAR OLD SON?S CAR SEAT IS LOCATED. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS ISSUE TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CHECKED THE SYSTEM, AND TOLD US ?IT IS PERFORMING AS THE MANUFACTURE INTENDED IT TO?. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN ISSUE AND ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT RESULTS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND I CAN ONLY PRAY THAT MY YOUNG CHILDREN ARENA?T MAIMED OR KILLED. THE VW SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE SHOWN US A COMPLICATED WAY TO TURN OFF THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE CAR, HOWEVER THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. I FEEL ITS INEVITABLE THAT A BUSY MOTHER DOING CHORES WITH TWO TODDLERS WILL FORGET TO TURN OFF THE SYSTEM AT SOME POINT. THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE DISABILITY OR LOSS OF LIFE OCCURS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A WAY TO FIX THE SYSTEM OR PERMANENTLY DISABLE IT. WE ASKED VW TO PERMANENTLY DISABLE THE SYSTEM BUT THEY DECLINED. WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PROMPT REPLY THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Mileage: 500
THE AUTO BRAKING AND WARNING SENSORS GO OFF WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING FROM AN INCLINED DRIVEWAY TO A ROADWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US MULTIPLE TIMES, THE MOST RECENT WAS ON 7-2-2018, AND IT BRINGS THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE THAT WAS AN EXTRA COST, BUT THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A CRASH IF NOT RECTIFIED. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR THIS ISSUE, AND MULTIPLE OTHER ISSUES AND ALL I GET BACK IS ' SYSTEM IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED.' IF THE SYSTEM IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED, THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A SAFETY ISSUE IN ITSELF. THERE ARE MULTIPLE OTHER OWNERS ON MESSAGE BOARDS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND HAVING THE SAME ANSWERS FROM THE DEALERSHIPS. ON ONE OF THE MESSAGE BOARDS, THERE IS ACTUALLY A VIDEO OF THE VEHICLE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP DRIVING FROM A BANK PARKING LOT TO A MAIN ROAD.
Mileage: 7,000
AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM IS FAULTY. WHEN I PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAYS OR PARKING LOTS THE SENSORS ARE ACTIVATING AND THE MANEUVER BRAKING IS APPLIED AND THE CAR COMES TO AN ABRUBT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. EVERYTIME THIS HAS OCCURED THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN OBJECT OR CAR PRESENT. THIS SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND DANGEROUS. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT AND THIS MAKES ME VERY CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. VW SERVICE IS LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE AND HAS GIVEN ME A LOANER ATLAS THAT IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE ISSUE OCCURING.
Mileage: 4,446
NOTIFIED ON 06/15/18 THAT MY VEHICLES BRAKE CALIPERS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH INSUFFICIENT CHROME COATING WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE FORMATION OF GAS BUBBLES AND CREATE A SOFT BRAKE POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. THERE WAS A STOP SALE ASSOCIATED WITH MY VIN ON 05/25/18 BUT I WAS NOT INFORMED UNTIL 06/15/18. ON 06/15/18 I WAS TOLD TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. THERE IS STILL NO ETA ON WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE OR WHEN MY VEHICLE WILL BE RETURNED TO ME.
2018 ATLAS SEL, EQUIPPED WITH AUTONOMOUS BREAKING TO "PREVENT" COLLISIONS. WHEN VEHICLES TRAVEL DOWN AN INCLINE LIKE A DRIVEWAY, THE EMERGENCY BREAKING FEATURE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY ENGAGED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN STOP. WHEN THIS OCCURS, I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. I AM REQUIRED TO CHANGE GEARS AND/OR RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THIS POSES A EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AS THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN WHEN YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A PRIVATE DRIVE AND ON TO A ACTIVE ROADWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A SIDE ON VEHICLE COLLISION. ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SERVICE MANAGER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. SERVICE MANAGER ALSO TESTED ANOTHER VW ATLAS ON THE SALE LOT WITH THE SAME FEATURE. STRIVE MANAGER REPORTED THAT THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED WITH THE OTHER ATLAS AS WELL. SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, REPORTING THE VEHICLE IS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED." ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO VOLKSWAGEN. AFTER A THREE WEEK PERIOD, VOLKSWAGEN REPORTED THAT THEY WERE DECLINING TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THE ISSUE, STATING THE VEHICLE WAS 'OPERATING AS DESIGNED." THIS ISSUE POSES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE NO ONLY TO THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE, BUT TO OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD. VOLKSWAGEN HAS BEEN GIVEN NOTICE OF THE ISSUE AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OF TAKE ACTION.
Mileage: 11,000
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OUR 2018 VW ATLAS HAS HAD ITS EMERGENCY BRAKING FEATURE ENGAGE IN AN UNEXPECTED AND DANGEROUS WAY. SPECIFICALLY, DURING URBAN DRIVING WHEN HAVING TO TRAVERSE THE NORMAL DIP FROM DRIVEWAY TO STREET, ACROSS A GUTTER OR OTHER LOW POINT, THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ABRUPTLY HALTS THE VEHICLE AND DISABLES MOVEMENT. WHEN THIS OCCURS IT IS EXTREMELY JARRING AND SHUTS DOWN NORMAL OPERATION, REQUIRING SOME SORT OF GEAR CHANGE OR RESTART. IT OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING FASTER OVER THE DIP RESULTING IN A MORE BUMPY MOVEMENT. IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN YOU'RE ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO MOVING TRAFFIC QUICKLY. IT LEAVES THE VEHICLE AND PASSENGERS ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE AS WE'RE PERPENDICULAR TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS A MOTHER OF 3 SMALL CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS, I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED.
Mileage: 1,000
I WAS TURNING LEFT ON A BUSY ROAD OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND HAD ALL THREE OF MY KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TURNED ON WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND STOPPED MY CAR HEADING EAST/WEST IN TRAFFIC HEADING NORTH/SOUTH. MY FOOT WAS ON THE GAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AND SUDDENLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TURNED OFF AND MY CAR SPED FORWARD INTO THE TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE TO THE SIDE AND GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER CARS BEFORE ANY ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF AND ALL THREE OF MY CHILDREN.
Mileage: 2,955
I CAME TO A FULL STOP AS I WAS ABOUT TO EXIT A DRIVEWAY. SINCE THERE WERE NO VEHICLES APPROACHING FROM EITHER DIRECTION AND THERE WERE NO OBSTACLES IN FRONT OF ME, I STATED TO PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM SUDDENLY AND ABRUPTLY STOPPED MY VEHICLE WITH NO JUSTIFICATION. THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM FAILURE CAN RESULT IN INJURY.
Mileage: 1,025