VW Atlas problems that repeatedly appear despite attempts to repair them may indicate a defect in your Volkswagen Atlas vehicle. Colloquially, defective VW Atlas vehicles are known as “lemons.” Under the California Lemon Law, a Volkswagen lemon law attorney can help you obtain cash compensation, a vehicle replacement or a lemon law buyback.
Many common VW Atlas problems can negatively impact the use, safety or value of your Atlas vehicle. In fact, common symptoms such as brake problems, electrical issues, and engine problems can prompt Volkswagen Atlas complaints, recalls, investigations and class action lawsuits. However, you don’t have to wait for recalls or class action lawsuits to get restitution for your Volkswagen Atlas vehicle issues. An individual lemon law claim can help you get a lot more for your vehicle issues than a class action settlement.
If problems with VW Atlas vehicles have not been repaired within a reasonable number of attempts by your dealership or repair facility, your Volkswagen Atlas may meet the legal standard of a “defective” vehicle. If your Volkswagen Atlas cannot seem to be fixed, get a free consultation with a lemon law attorney to discuss your legal options.
VW Atlas Brake Issues
VW Atlas brake grinding and squealing noises are one of the most recent Volkswagen Atlas braking issues we have seen in our research on Volkswagen Atlas issues and defects. Top VW Atlas brake symptoms include:
- Grinding noises
- Gurgling noises
- Squealing noises
- Front Assist Warning Light on for no reason
- Random, unexpected braking
- Braking light illuminated on dashboard
Volkswagen Atlas brake noises include grinding, squeaking, gurgling and other noises that could point to a defect. On top of that, owners of 2021-2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles feel like their brakes are sensitive and prone to slipping. While there are currently no recalls or class action lawsuits yet for VW Atlas brake noises, this issue may warrant more investigation. If your 2021 or newer Volkswagen Atlas brakes keep grinding with no fix, your VW Atlas may be a lemon.
Volkswagen Atlas vehicles may randomly brake thanks to VW Automatic Emergency Braking issues. The autonomous emergency braking system, which Volkswagen calls “Front Assist,” has faulty radar sensors that detect obstacles that aren’t actually there. Sometimes, Volkswagen’s Front Assist may make the VW Atlas vehicles brake unexpectedly. Certain 2018-2023 Volkswagen Atlas and 2020-2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vehicles are already included in a Volkswagen AEB class action settlement.
Volkswagen Atlas vehicles may face other brake problems indicated by the illumination of a brake warning light. If your vehicle is showing repeated brake problems, you may have a lemon.
VW Atlas Electrical Problems
Reported 2017-2024 Volkswagen Atlas electrical problems include:
- VW Auto Start/Stop feature doesn’t work
- Dead or dying battery
- Faulty electrical connection
- Airbag fails to deploy
- Random activation of Front Assist
- Windows open and close without warning
Some consumer complaints report that VW Atlas’ batteries deplete unusually quickly, sometimes within two months. This battery drainage may be caused by the electronic brakes and Auto Start/Stop systems. The Auto Start/Stop systems, intended to save fuel in the affected Volkswagen Atlas vehicles, turn off engines when vehicles are stopped and turn the engines back on when the drivers hit the gas.
The battery drainage may also cause transmission failure, according to some complaints. Volkswagen Atlas electrical issues have also prompted a class action lawsuit alleging 2019-2023 Volkswagen Atlas and 2020-2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vehicles have defective door wiring harnesses that cause airbag failure and random opening and closing of windows.
VW Atlas Engine Problems
Your Volkswagen Atlas may have a defective engine if the following issues could not be fixed by your dealership or repair shop:
- Check Engine Light flashes or remains on
- Vehicle stalling
- Gas leaks
- Grinding noises during acceleration
- Grinding noises during vehicle shutdowns
- Random vehicle shutdowns while driving.
Here is a sampling of VW Atlas engine complaints:
“I purchased a New 2021 VW cross sport on 02/21. I have had multiple safety-related issues.
1. Car randomly stopped; check engine light illuminated. I visited the dealer and was told the fuel injectors were faulty. Dealership replaced. When I drove the vehicle home, there was an intense smell of gasoline. Went back to the dealer and was told there was a fuel leak. This is a safety risk as the vehicle could catch fire.
2. Car randomly stopped and a loud squeaking’s sound could be heard. I visited the dealership and was told the main engine gasket seal was leaking. Again, a huge safety issue.
3. Windows, and sunroof roof randomly opening. was told by the dealership [that they were] unable to duplicate the issue.
4. Squeaking from rear suspension after long trips. was told by the dealership that they were unable to duplicate the issue. These are all major safety issues. When I purchased this new vehicle for myself and newborn son, I did not realize this car would be a safety hazard. I am afraid to drive it.”
– NHTSA 11458829
“About two weeks after purchasing my brand new VW Atlas Cross Sport 2021 (purchased March of 2021) the dash board warning systems have not properly worked. The screen constantly freezes and occasionally a warning appears for vehicle collision assistance when nothing is in front of me. The tire pressure light randomly comes on but the tires are always at the proper PSI. The auto start/stop will malfunction, the car will stop running to save power automatically at a red light but occasionally it gets confused and starts/stops over and over or will not start back up at all when I put pressure on the gas pedal like it should. Yesterday, 9/6/2021, the vehicle overheated after driving it for 2 hours. The odometer was at 4,001 miles. Pulled over and opened the hood and the engine was completely out of oil and antifreeze. No check engine light or low oil pressure light ever came on. The low coolant light came on but only after the vehicle began to overheat. A mechanic who pulled over to help us stated that it was so low that it’s a miracle the vehicle did not catch on fire. He stated the fluids must have come low from the dealership but that the operating system is supposed to warn me well ahead of time but it did not. The manual recommends 7,000 to 10,000 miles for an oil change, the vehicle just hit 4,000 miles. No warning or check engine light warning until after the emergency occurs is NOT OKAY!”
– NHTSA 11431956
“My car cuts off while driving. For instance, I was at a red light, in the left turning lane, and the light turned green. I pressed the gas and it started going and then just cut off. Luckily there was no car behind me. However, I was halfway in the intersection as cars were coming towards me. I had my 3 year old in the car. This is very dangerous. This is just one incident. When backing out of a parking spot, I will get half way out of the spot and it cuts off. I’ve taken it to the dealership, but they won’t help since they can’t duplicate it. I reached out to Volkswagen on Twitter and all they did was have me take it to the dealership again. I received the same, non-concerned, attitude. Nothing has been done. I bought this car brand new. Also, the screen cuts off randomly and has to restart.”
– NHTSA 11573794
If these problems (or any other engine problems) repeatedly appear in your vehicle, you may want to talk to a lemon law attorney about your situation.
Volkswagen Atlas Lemon Law Settlements
If your 2017-2024 Volkswagen Atlas is a bona fide lemon, you may be able to obtain a near full refund of your Atlas’ initial purchase price. If Volkswagen is found to have willfully violated your rights under the California Lemon Law, you may be eligible to obtain twice that amount in civil penalties. This may result in a final lemon law award up to three times your vehicle’s purchase price. Not only that, Volkswagen will have to pay your attorneys’ fees and costs if you win.
| Vehicle Model | Potential Lemon Law Award |
| 2017-2024 Volkswagen Atlas | $30,500-$113,985 |
| 2020-2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | $31,565-$110,955 |
Keep in mind that these are estimated settlement amounts based on the vehicle models’ MSRPs. Real lemon law case settlements will vary depending on the facts of your case, and none of the amounts listed are guarantees of outcome.
Contact a California Lemon Law Attorney
If problems persist in your Volkswagen Atlas despite multiple repair attempts, your vehicle may be a lemon.
Owners and lessees of “lemons” or defective vehicles are entitled to cash compensation, a vehicle replacement or a lemon law buyback. Our experienced attorneys at Lemon Law Help have helped thousands of lemon owners and lessees obtain these rewards under the California Lemon Law.
Don’t go through the lemon law process alone. Our experienced Volkswagen lemon law attorneys can provide legal representation at no up-front cost to you. If you want to learn more about the California Lemon Law or have specific questions about your case, 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: 2017–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.
