VW Atlas Brake Noises: Potential Lawsuits

VW Atlas brake noises such as grinding, squealing or gurgling may result in a class action lawsuit for 2021-2024 Volkswagen Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport vehicles in the near future.

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating VW Atlas grinding noises, squeaking, gurgling and other brake noises, especially at speeds above 30 miles per hour. So far, these attorneys have learned that VW Atlas drivers often feel like the brakes are too sensitive or are prone to slipping. On top of that, Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles may brake inconsistently and make the Atlas vehicles unsafe to drive.

If the investigation finds that the VW Atlas brake noises point to a warrantable defect, a class action lawsuit may proceed. However, if your 2021 or newer Volkswagen Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport has brake issues that have not been remedied, you may not need to wait for a class action lawsuit in order to get restitution. An individual lemon law claim can help a Volkswagen Atlas owner get a vehicle replacement or a repurchase of their vehicle, plus a refund of additional costs.

• What are the VW Atlas brake noise problems?
• Volkswagen Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport Brake Complaints
• What lawsuits exist for VW Atlas Brake issues?
• Are there any VW Atlas braking recalls?
• How does the Lemon Law help with my VW Atlas brake issues?
• Get a Consultation with a Volkswagen Lemon Law Attorney

What are the VW Atlas brake noise problems?

Owners of 2021-2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles may experience:

• Loud, metal-on-metal grinding noises
• Squealing or squeaking noises, especially when in REVERSE
• Gurgling or rushing water noises
• Vehicle vibration from loud braking noises
• Brakes slipping
• Brakes apply too harshly

Volkswagen Atlas drivers report that dealers are often unable to diagnose or fix the braking issue. Even when some Volkswagen Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport owners get their brakes or braking system replaced, the VW Atlas braking noise issue resurfaces.

Volkswagen Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport Brake Complaints

To better understand the VW Atlas braking issue, read a sampling of the VW Atlas brake complaints below. These complaints have been edited for clarity and readability.

“We just purchased a certified pre-owned vehicle from the dealership. Since we’ve had the vehicle, it produces a loud squeaking sound when braking. We took it to a brake shop and were advised the rear brakes get so hot and are glazed over and need to replace the rotors. When I look online I see this is a common problem for this vehicle and that the manufacturer has done nothing to get it fixed.”

-NHTSA Complaint 11514028

“The brakes make a deep grinding sound every 4,000-8,000 miles. A typical sound of failing brakes. When I took the vehicle into the dealership, they let me know they have a defective brake pad system. When they changed the compound in 2019/2020 this has been an issue. The pads are showing in a good acceptable range. However, when driving the vehicle, you do not know if it is safe or not unless you take the vehicle in to make sure. Again, every 4,000-8,000 miles. I do not see how they are able to sell you a car with a known issue and not disclose this. This should be covered or recalled. It absolutely is a safety issue when you cannot tell if your brakes are working properly! They are telling me they see 4-5 people a week with the same issue. How is this not being recalled!”

-NHTSA Complaint 11529687

“I leased my VW Atlas in Feb. 2021. Since then the vehicle has been in for service many times because the brakes squeak, grind and gurgle. They even had to replace the whole front end braking system in spring of 2022. Even with the replacement, the brakes are yet again squeaking, grinding and gurgling. The service department at VW has acknowledged that this is a problem with many Atlases and does not seem to care and has told me that they just make that noise and that the brakes are functional and pose no safety risk.”

-NHTSA Complaint 11551226

“This is my second Volkswagen Atlas that has the same issues of brakes making loud squealing noises when I hit the brakes. Volkswagen changed the brakes on my 2022 Atlas, then allowed me to trade it in for a 2023 Atlas. I’ve been having the same problem with the brakes and all the dealers say is ‘Volkswagen is aware of the brake problem and working on a solution.’ However, it has been an ongoing issue for over a year.

Just today in Walmart parking lot, I hit brakes and the brakes squeal loud. This is not just an issue because of the noise, this is a safety issue. Now, the dealer is telling me the brakes are only under warranty for 24,000 miles and my car has 34,000 miles, leaving me having to try to find out what to do on my own.

My car note is $914.10. I love Volkswagen, but I will never buy another one. Imagine paying $914.10 per month for a vehicle that has a safety issue and the dealer has been working on a solution for over 2 years. The brake lights don’t come on, so the dealer stated it is only an annoying sound, not a safety issue. I believe these vehicles need an examination, because if your brakes squeal, something is wrong with the vehicle.”

-NHTSA Complaint 11588261

What lawsuits exist for VW Atlas Brake issues?

There is no class action lawsuit for VW Atlas brake squeaking yet. However, other lawsuits exist regarding Volkswagen Atlas braking issues.

• Volkswagen Automatic Emergency Braking lawsuit: Certain 2017-2020 Volkswagen vehicles, including VW Atlas, experience issues with its Front Assist system. The Front Assist is supposed to detect obstacles and depress the vehicles if a crash is otherwise about to happen. However, the VW Front Assist would detect obstacles that don’t actually exist and brake at random. This lawsuit has since reached settlement.
• Volkswagen Atlas Electrical Problem lawsuit: Sudden braking may appear in 2019-2020 Volkswagen Atlas and 2020-2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport due to a defective door wiring harness. Not only that, the VW electrical defect may cause airbag failure, random opening and closing of the windows, and unexpected activation of other electrical systems. This electrical defect has prompted several VW Atlas electrical complaints.

Brake issues are just one of many common Volkswagen Atlas issues that could prompt investigations, class action lawsuits and individual lemon law claims.

Are there any VW Atlas braking recalls?

There are quite a few recalls for 2021 and newer Volkswagen Atlas vehicles, but not one of them addresses the VW Atlas braking noise issue. Here are the existing brake-related recalls for 2021-2024 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles:

• Brake Lines May Leak: Certain 2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles may have brake fluid leaks that increase the distance required to stop.

Most 2021-2024 Volkswagen Atlas recalls cover issues with the engine, airbags, rearview cameras, steering, tires or electrical wiring issues. To find out if your Volkswagen Atlas is covered by an existing recall, search your VIN in this NHTSA recall search tool.

How does the Lemon Law help with my VW Atlas brake issues?

If your Volkswagen Atlas has brake issues that your dealership or authorized repair facility cannot seem to fix, your vehicle may be considered defective under the California Lemon Law. The Lemon Law allows owners and lessees of defective vehicles to obtain a vehicle replacement or a repurchase of the vehicle for its initial purchase price, plus compensation for additional fees and costs.

If Volkswagen sold you a defective vehicle, you can get your vehicle repurchased. This is commonly known as a “lemon law buyback.” If Volkswagen sold you a defective vehicle and willfully violated the California Lemon Law, you can recover additional money known as “civil penalties.” When you recover civil penalties, your final settlement award can be roughly up to three times the initial cost of your Volkswagen Atlas.

If you hire a lemon law attorney, you could potentially recover the following amounts for your Volkswagen Atlas. In addition to your lemon law award, the manufacturer has to pay for your attorneys’ fees and costs.

Keep in mind that these are estimations based on the vehicles’ MSRPs, with the lower amount representing a simple lemon law case and the higher amount representing a potential award that includes civil penalties. These listed amounts are not guarantees; actual lemon law results will vary depending on the facts of your case.

Get a Consultation with a Volkswagen Lemon Law Attorney

Our Volkswagen lemon law attorneys are experienced in handling VW lemon law cases. From the infamous “Dieselgate” cases of 2015 to ordinary Volkswagen defect cases, our experienced attorneys can help you recover significant compensation for your vehicle troubles.

Initial lemon law consultations are completely free of charge. Our lemon law services will cost you nothing out of pocket. Instead, our attorneys’ fees and costs are paid for by the manufacturer as part of your final settlement. If we lose your case, you pay nothing. We only get paid if you win.

If you have questions about a potential Volkswagen Atlas lemon law case or about the California Lemon Law, fill out our contact form or call us for a free consultation at 833-208-8181.

Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2019–Present vehicle models only.

However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.

To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.