2024 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS Service Brakes Problems

1st Issue: Braking noises while applying brakes. While applying brake pressure to brake pedal there are squealing, grinding, gargling (liquid) sounds coming from the front of the vehicle. There are no lights or warnings displayed. This has been happening since bought new back in may of 2024. This issue has been brought up to the service department at the Volkswagen dealership where purchased multiple times when going in for oil changes and (other issues) the vehicle had or has. Every time it is brought up the service advisor states there is nothing wrong with the vehicle and is “normal” operation for the vehicle being in the southern states. This is a safety hazard to not only myself and family but other family’s traveling U.S. roads. We fear that the brakes may fail at anytime while traveling and we do a lot of traveling with our son. 2nd Issue: Engine noises and erratic idle upon start up. Vehicle was brought in for low oil level light, supervisor was informed about the problem. Vehicle was checked, oil added and was told nothing wrong. When cold starting (not every time) the vehicle makes a surging sound and has erratic idle for about 3-5 seconds then clears up. Vehicle was also recently brought in for low coolant light, vehicle was topped off, no leaks visible but was not checked for internal leaks. 3rd Issue: Electrical problems with the infotainment system and windows. Infotainment system randomly goes black at any time while vehicle is being used. Windows will randomly go up or down when trying to work the switches. Ex: once window is rolled down and try to raise, when the switch is released the window will randomly go back down or the opposite window will roll down or up depending on what position it is in.

I have a certified 2024 VW Atlas with 22K miles. I noticed a strong rattling when braking at higher speeds. And the breaks are constantly squeaking. The VW dealer said the brakes looked good. I took it to Brake Master and they did a full inspection and found the brakes were in a descent shape but the rotors were severely damaged and had some stress fractures. Notes from BM: Check front brakes approx. 10 millimeters 10mm pads Left 1.194 Right 1.192 Rotors glazed and hot spotted. Looks like hardware was scraping for a whole at one point. Rear Brake pads have approx 10mm remaining. Rear rotors have extreme heat glazing rings around them. Appearance seems that new brake pads were installed without addressing any rotor issues.

volkswagen atlas 2024 brake noise with maneuver braking function currently not available light coming on after first couple stops. I have recording and everything and showed to vw dealership they said this is normal. I used to work on brakes this is not normal. It is so bad every looks at it and this is a new car. It happens ever morning. Cold wet or not just doesn't brake well from start of the day. They claim stuff builds on the disc and has to burn off but thats for new brakes and rotors only. During the noise the light comes one braking function is not available. What I see in the car is almost like a a slippage where the car kind of feels like it is on ice but your foot is all the way down. This has done that from day one. They said they cant fix it. I fear someone is going to get hurt soon,because it affects the stopping power.

I have a horrible noise when breaking it sound like scratching and water behind the dashboard it’s horrible noise. We are afraid to use it because we think that we can run into an accident because of the sound on the breaks. The vehicle is working normal it’s just the sound that Is horrible. Nobody wants to take responsibility we took it to the dealership many times and they are blaming to the manufacture breaks company and that is an issue that they are aware of the existence because every month they run certification to theirs cars and they experience the same issue with their breaks form Volkswagen atlas 2024 and they are blaming it to the manufacture for the breaks they install to many of this suv. My advisor recommend me to change the break pads be he wouldn’t take full responsibility that the noise can go away. He told me it’s normal sound and the sound is going to keep coming back because the problem comes from the breaks. Nobody have make this into a recall and no agents want to file this as a recall. We pay 1,200 dollars every month in this lease and the sound keep happening we need some solutions as soon as possible this need to be file a a recall so they can stop installing this breaks to future cars and the problem can get bigger than what’s already is.

Strong steering-wheel shake and brake-pedal pulsation when braking from highway speeds. The condition appeared when driving at highway speeds while taking my family on a trip in the mountains and began shaking violently when braking, so much so we nearly had to pull off the road. The vehicle has never been tracked, towed heavy loads, or abused in any way. Issue was inspected and the service provider told me this is normal wear and tear from driving in the mountains. We have only had the car for over a year and has 12,344 miles currently. Service provider will not fix, stating it is not covered under warranty.

In low temperature conditions. Typically under 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the brakes will produce a high pitch grind/squeal noise. It’s a very concerning voice. Dealership says it’s normal, but there is no way it can be.

The brakes are grinding, pads were checked at local shop and were noted to be 11mm and should not be grinding

The brakes are extremely squeaky and it terrible grinding sound whenever I braked. It sounds like water going back and forth under the car. I have taken it to the dealership multiple times. I requested a test drive of the vehicle. Their response is yes, vehicle was driven. its the same noises my coworkers have with their own atlas.

The braking system and driver assist feature (“Maneuver Braking Function”) on my 2024 Volkswagen Atlas have repeatedly malfunctioned. The vehicle displays the warning message “Maneuver Braking Function Currently Not Available,” accompanied by loud grinding and mechanical noises when braking. The issue began shortly after purchase and has persisted despite three separate service visits to Volkswagen of Wesley Chapel. During these visits, the dealership noted they are aware of an issue with the Atlas Brakes but they had not seen it occur with the error message coming up. Later, the service team claimed they replicated the issue and said it was caused by the car being left in “transport mode” at delivery. I was told that removing transport mode fixed the problem, but the same symptoms and warnings reappeared on my drive home. At my third visit, I was told the car was never in transport mode and that this was a known issue with the VW Atlas that could not be repaired but that they were concerned with the error message. They said they removed the error message- but did not actually fix anything that could prompt the error message. Upon leaving the car is contuing to make the same sounds, grinding and produce the error message upon braking. The problem has been reproduced and acknowledged by the dealership but not corrected. The braking behavior remains inconsistent, and the grinding sensation suggests a mechanical fault. Because this affects the braking system and a safety assist feature, it poses a risk of reduced braking performance or delayed response time in traffic, putting occupants and others at risk. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request

My 2024 Volkswagen Atlas SE began collecting visible moisture inside the rear tail light assembly less than 18 months after purchase. Over time, this led to intermittent lighting failure, sometimes the lights function, sometimes they don’t. This is a safety concern, especially at night or in poor weather. After researching the issue, I found that this is a widely reported problem among VW Atlas owners and has even been referenced in VW’s own Technical Service Bulletin 94-22-01, which is published in the NHTSA database. The bulletin calls this “normal condensation,” but this is beyond that there is visible water pooling and electrical malfunction and I know of others who report the same thing. VW is down playing this to avoid the recall. Despite being under extended warranty, this is not covered because VW considers it cosmetic unless there’s proven seal failure. The vehicle is available for inspection and has been evaluated by a certified VW service center. Volkswagen needs to address this as a design or sealing defect, especially when it affects vehicle safety systems like brake and signal lights.

Brakes make a horrible squealing noise when lightly applied. IT gets worse when its colder and sometimes sounds like water rushing. Dealership said this is normal even though the car is only a year old. This is not normal

Breaking is very harsh when the car is cold. Makes rough sounds and feels like having grinding rocks between breaking pads and disc. Sounds could also be described like being under water. Very unsafe to break. Breaks very rough and sudden. No pump action on the breaks when is performing like this. Dealership acknowledged the problem saying is a recurring situation but they say there are no safety issues with it and refuse to fix it or change the unit in 3 different occasions. They cleaned the breaks offering a temporary repair but this did not fixed anything.

Within a year of owning my vehicle, I began to notice a SEVERE shudder on braking when descending from 7000 foot elevation (Mammoth Lakes, CA) to a 4400 foot elevation (Bishop, CA) on [XXX] of [XXX} upon braking. I have driven this route approximately 25 times in the past 1.5 years. Normally, I would set the adaptive cruise control to 73-75 mph on this downhill grade to control speed, and let the adaptive cruise control do the work of controlling speed, while keeping my own foot off the break. However, if I did need to slow further due to traffic, I would experience a SEVERE shudder upon manual braking- see attached screenshot of a video taken at night. I brought this incident up to VW (See mechanic video) in 1/2025, and they blamed the problem on overheating of the front rotor (see technician video link below). Upon return trips to Mammoth, I now realize that this overheating was caused by the adaptive cruise control itself attempting to control auto speed. Now, in order to make this LESS dangerous, I have to let the car get up to 80 mph and then pulse the breaks- because if I let the adaptive cruise control do the work as designed, it creates an unsafe driving condition BECAUSE OF A FAULTY DESIGN by VW- if heat is an issue, better dissipation is needed, or a temperature sensor is needed. VW's solution was for me to spend $700 to replace brakes and rotors due to a VW design flaw, despite my car being under warranty, and I cannot afford this currently. I think this issue MUST be recalled immediately before I (or someone else) who drives on long hilly grades has a fatal car accident due to a design flaw in the VW Atlas Adaptive Cruise Control. VW Technician report found here: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My brakes have been grinding and squeaking for months. I bought my car new in Feb 2024. Dealship has stated it’s “normal”

Metal to metal grinding sounds

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.

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.

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.

Extreme screech and scratching upon braking. Constant and well known by other VW owners.

UNKNOWN Brakes make loud noise and sometimes slip. Feel very unsafe driving the vehicle.

We purchased our vehicle in August 2024. We only have around 3,200 miles on it. When leaving a space (driveway, parking space, etc), even if only parked for a short time, the brakes have a noticeable screech which I have never had on a new vehicle. The dealership inspected and said there are no issues and they will not replace the pads. They blame the type of pads used by the manufacturer. I have never had this issue on new vehicles whether it is hot, cold, wet, dry, etc. My used vehicle recently had brake pads changed and there are no sounds.

Breaks make a loud squealing sound while break both gently or hard. When breaking down an incline the breaks will grind and then slip followed by a urgent grind to hard break.

Bought a new 2024 VW Atlas Se with 4 miles on it. Around 6700 miles my brakes grinds and squeaks whenever I brake when the pads are cold. Took it to the VW dealership in Capitol Heights, MD. They claimed they cleaned the brakes but the same problem is occurring. From researching the problem it seems many people are having this same problem. VW should be aware of the issues.

WHEN BRAKING THERE IS A GRINDING/SCREECHING NOISE Upon inspection found front brake pads to be down to metal damaging rotor i was informed by a mechanic that the issue with the brakes is not normal wear and tear that it is a factory defect coz they are not wearing out equally the right side is worst than the left that in the right side theres no brakes anymore deañer says i have to pay for it i dont understand why if my truck is new and it is not a normal wear and tear

Horrific screeching sound while braking. Braking when going down slight hill grinds and drags when braking. Brake sound occurs after car stops in addition to the grinding screeching sound during braking. Took vehicle in to VW and they report brake pads are 8mm and no issues found but stated there is a defect in the composite of this models brakes and will notify once they get more information. This is absolutely unacceptable and unsafe. Why should I be driving a brand new car with these sounds?? The embarrassing sound and lack of braking is a severe concern.

My breaks are screeching. It is inconcsistent and the dealership from my knowledge was not able to reciprocate the issue. They said the break pads had debris on them and they were cleaned at my last appointment. However the next day the breaks were screeching again. Being a brand new car I don't understand how the breaks have so much debris and are screeching already. Makes me think there has to be something wrong with them and that doesn't make me feel safe putting my kids in the car everyday. I need to take my care back in to have my breaks looked at however everytime I take my car in they say it takes 24-48 hours to diagnose an issue. They never have a loaner and don't cover a rental car. I have paid out of pocket for a rental twice now and cannot afford it anymore right now due to the holidays. The infotainment screen goes fuzzy frequently. To my knowledge the dealership was unable to reciprocate the issue. When the screen goes fuzzy it still works, I am unable to see anything on the screen. When I put the vehicle in reverse I cannot see anything on the backup camera. I can't tell if someone or something is walking behind my vehicle. This is a huge safety issue. I have taken my vehicle three times for this issue. First they replaced the screen, second they did a hard reboot, the third time they said there is nothing they can do due to a software update coming. However no one knows when this update is going to happen, in the meantime I am driving around with a fuzzy screen. I have done all the software updates that have prompted on my screen, I have reboot my screen I don't know how many times. I have attached my part of the invoice for my first appointment. I don't have a invoice full invoice due to the dealership being sold and they no longer have them on file. I have attached the second invoice. There was not room for the third. I have filed lemon law asking VW to buy my vehicle back. I am waiting for an answer from them.

Brakes grind and vibrate and have for the past 7,000 miles, dealer continues to say this is normal for Volkswagen, this problem has been reported numerous times to VW and doing an internet search I am not the only one with this problem. Numerous other individuals with these vehicles also have this issue. The other issue is the transfer case continues to leak, this has been replaced once already, and now less than 4,000 miles later it is leaking again. VW continues to say everything is normal and it is normal to feel the vibration and grinding in the brake pedal and VW continues to say it is safe and normal for these sounds. However, this grinding feeling, not squeaking, but grinding and vibration in the brake pedal cannot be safe. This is a serious safety concern for myself and my family. They say brake pads are normal and not worn, so this isn’t a brake pad issue, but a deeper issue. The third issue is the infotainment system at times in start up will just be black, and will not come on, so you are unable to adjust climate control, radio, use backup camera, etc. the only way this will fix itself is if you turn the car off and back on, the dealer has updated they system, and it still continues to do this.