2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Brake Problems

Mileage when the problem started

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal metal on metal grinding sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure while slowing for traffic or while coming to a stop. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but over time became more frequent. Additionally, the "Emergency Stop" warning light illuminated, and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had then taken the vehicle to an authorized dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,285.

Since purchasing this car, i have had problems with the parking brake automatically turning on when driving and at every stop; the car doors in the front do not lock/unlock; causing a concern for emergency with two kids in the car. The sunroof malfunctions along with the windows working on their own, going up and down and the sunroof not closing. The electrical front panels malfunction and cause the break system to start on its own, the screens turn black and am unable to use the front power screen. The doors lock and unlock by themselves from the inside and outside, not able to use the buttons on the doors to lock/unlock. The windows constantly open and close by themselves, again causing safety harm for the children in the car. When the car comes to a stop sign and brakes, it will either shut off or the parking/emergency brake will engage automatically. …

I purchased my car in July 2022 and started having issues with it within 3 months. I've have my car at the dealer 4 times for them to look at... 1 - the brakes (grinding, scraping noise, squeaking that can be fetl in the pedal). I was told each time that the rotors and brake pads aren't compatible. VW knows about the problem but doesn't have a fix for it. They say they clean the pads and that the car is safe to drive (really?). 2 - the infotainment system. On several occasions I cannot switch from one media system (Sirius XM, FM, AM, blue tooth, etc...), when I turn my car on, the screen shows "initializing" but nothing happens. It just sits there. Today was a first; the whole system shut off and the screen was blank. No radio, no phone, nothing. I've made several videos to show the dealer what the system is doing and they tell me it just needs an update, yet I still have the problem. …

This vehicle DOES has a recall listed for the door harness. I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to get a return call from my dealship since NOVEMBER. I literally leave a message (after physically talking to someone) and NO ONE calls me back. The passenger front door is misaligned and does not close properly, the electronics go crazy and sensors randomly go off. I took the vehicle in one week after purchase regarding the above and was told they needed to get approved to get my car in and get me a loaner. Service stated my car would need to be sent to their body shop for "several weeks," and couldn't provide a loaner at that time. Since then, I have called MULTIPLE times and nothing. With the issues with the electronics and now the wiring harness, this vehicle is definitely NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, though VW claims it is. …

There is a metallic rattle in the driver's side b-pillar (similar to the issue in the 2018 Tiguan LWB). Every component in the pillar has been replaced and the rattle persists. The first time I complained about it to the dealership the car only had 1,500 miles on it. 3 years and several months of the car sitting in the shop they have not been able to fix it nor have they bothered working with VW of America to find a solution. I'm guessing it is structural. The brakes are also very concerning and I have mentioned it many times over the last few years. It is not the normal VW squeal -- it is a grinding that causes the car to shake. I was told by my local VW that "Apparently you've never driven high performance vehicles before--that's normal". Uh, no it is not normal. …

While driving less than 30 mph in slow traffic the automatic braking system engaged itself which caused me to almost get hit. Another time, I was in slow traffic less than 20mph both sides of the street were filled with cars driving and my automatic brake began to light up and the brake was engaging but I was still able to keep driving the car despite what was happening with the automatic brakes. In normal driving conditions whenever I press on the brakes the vehicle does not stop right away. It take a lot of effort for the vehicle to stop almost as if, the car is too heavy for the braking equipment installed on the vehicle. There have been maybe one to three times where I slammed on the brakes and the vehicle did not fully stop which now has caused increased anxiety. Another issue I am having not related to the braking mechanism. Electrical on the infotainment system. …

The brakes began squealing and grinding about 6 months ago, I had the car a little over a year and didn't understand how the pads could be worn. I noticed that when the grinding occurs it is a little slower to stop when braking. I immediately took it to VW, they heard it, checked them and said they were basically brand new. If I wanted to change them it wouldn't be under warranty. It continued so I took it to Mavis for a second opinion. They told me the pads are like brand new as well but it looked like there was grease all over the pads and they cleaned them up. It didn't make a noise for about 1 week and then back at it and the grinding and slow braking is happening. This is a concern and I don't like driving the car because im nervous I won't be able to brake. I've looked online to see if there was anyone else experiencing this and there are tons of threads stating the same thing. …

We bought a 2022 black Atlas Volkswagen in April 23, 2022. In December 2023 we noticed persistent braking system issues, loud horrible grinding squeling noises and squeaking brakes at different speeds. It felt like a metallic scraping/grinding sound when in reverse and forward when coming to a stop at low speed. Also random emergency braking approaching traffic light intersections. We brought the car to the dealer Flagship Volkswagen immediately and they gave a us a January 8, 2024 appointment. The mileage in was 17,476 and their diagnostic was crystallized discs. They proceeded and cut the four discs. They charged us $256. On January 24, 2024 we returned to the dealer with exactly the same problem and a mileage of 17, 925. Their diagnostic this time was that the brakes have enough friction surface left and that the unit was working correctly and should be under observation by us.

Purchased April 2022, and once the weather got cooler, brakes make a horrendous grinding, squeaky noise, sounds like metal on metal. Have brought into dealership multiple times to no avail until a few months ago, confirmed that it is a known issue, but nothing they can do about it. Said there is a build up of some kind on the brakes that has to warm up before it will go away, which is why it is prominent when weather is cooler. My concern is that typically, grinding, squeaking are usually signs that the brakes make have issues. Dealer is saying brakes or fine, so do I have to wait for brakes to go out, run into something or someone before they can validate that brakes are not safe and are defective?

The brakes on this new car constantly grind and are extremely noisy. There have been a few occasions where they barely stopped the car before we hit another car. We have brought the car in for service several times and the dealer is unable to repair the vehicle. The service reps tell us this is a known problem with this car. Then they tell us they did not find any issues. they have claimed to have replaced the brakes but the issues still persist. Lots of owners of this vehicle have the same concerns or worse. This Atlas Cross Sport should not be allowed on California streets and highways. This really needs to be looked into

Brake complaints in other Atlas Cross Sport years