RoadVitals

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Sep 30, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
33%
of 70 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 30, 2025

Front brakes make scratching sound, dealer alleged brakes and rotor are fine after inspection. Steering wheel shakes at times when braking down hill. Cabin too noisy, air and sauna enter cabin by driver side door. Reported issue to dealer, they alleges the seal may need to be replaced; but not covered by warranty.

NHTSA ID
11690466
Incident
Sep 25, 2025
Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11682475
Incident
Jun 13, 2025
Mileage
18,285 mi
Body & structureBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 2, 2025

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. Often times when shifting into drive from park (even on flat ground) the shifter is hard to move and then makes an awful clunking noise. Coolant disappears. And, indicator light does not come on. I was refilling the wiper fluid reservoir and noticed the coolant reservoir was almost empty, however, no light has come on. I've had to top off the coolant at least every couple months.

NHTSA ID
11633740
Incident
Jan 2, 2025
Brakes
Filed Jun 8, 2024

When I start driving the vehicle after it has been sitting for a little while (anywhere between a couple hours to overnight), the first few times I use the brakes, it sounds and feels like the brakes. are grinding. There is a loud metallic grinding noise until I come to a full stop. This will last for several miles, and eventually go away. Sometime, the vehicle sliding up or stop too before I expected

NHTSA ID
11593216
Incident
Jun 8, 2024
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 28, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11568301
Incident
Dec 5, 2023
Brakes
Filed Jan 16, 2024

I currently am leasing a 2022 Volkswagon Cross Atlas Sport that currently has 26,000 miles on it. In October, I noticed when I press on the brakes of my car, there is a loud grinding and squealing sound both inside and outside of the car. It is so bad, that I tend to not push the brakes all the way down. I brought my car to be serviced to Jack Daniels Volkswagon in Fair Lawn, NJ. They said they checked the brakes and they were in good condition and didn't need to be replaced. I left there and the car continued to squeal and grind when the brakes are pressed. I brought the car back last week to have them checked again and was told that they definitely hear the noise, but the brakes are still fine and they will not repair them. They are telling me there is nothing they can do and that I have to live with the noise and the feeling of the brakes being unsafe. I was upset and dissatisfied with their answer so I tried to call Volkswagon corporate and they told me the same answer, that I have to live with it. The girl at the repair shop told me that other Volkswagon cars are experiencing the same thing but there is no recall yet. She explained that it might be possible to change the rotors and it may correct the noise. All I would like is for someone from Vokswagon to approve the change of my rotors paid for by them to see if that will eliminate the noise or to rectify the situation. I feel unsafe whereas I can't even fully press down on my brakes without the noise and grinding being heard in and out of the car. I can't believe that I was told to live with it by the Volkswagon corporation and that noone would try and fix the manufacturers brake error.

NHTSA ID
11565843
Incident
Nov 5, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2024

Breaks vibrate and squeal when making a slow stop. Dealership stated was just debris, but it continues to do this repeatedly. Online this appears to be a known issue throughout the Volkswagen brand and dealership give the same reasoning, but the problem continues to persistent for all owners who have reported it. The dealerships appear to have been instructed to use the same reasoning for the issues, but never repair/resolve the issue.

NHTSA ID
11564057
Incident
Jan 5, 2024
Brakes
Filed Dec 19, 2023

JUST PURCHACED MY ATLAS AROUND SEPTEMBER, AFTER DRIVING IT A MONTH WE NOTICED A LOAD SCREACH SOUND WEN COMING TO A STOP, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TO0 VW DEALERS ONLY TO BE TOLD VOLKSWAGON IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, NOW THE BRAKES GRIND AND IM NOT SURE HOW TO ADRESS THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU .

NHTSA ID
11561013
Incident
Oct 4, 2023
Brakes
Filed Dec 17, 2023

Brakes are making an awful grinding noise. Dealer says there is nothing they can do about it. That’s just “the way they are”

NHTSA ID
11560502
Incident
Aug 1, 2023
Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 2023

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. How has VW not been required to correct this?

NHTSA ID
11553617
Incident
Jul 1, 2023
Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2023

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?

NHTSA ID
11551307
Incident
Oct 1, 2022
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Sep 30, 2023

My airbag warning light keeps randomly coming on and off. My breaks are making a constant grinding and screeching noise that alternate on the driver and passenger side randomly and at times fail to break properly. The dealer has stated that nothing is wrong with my breaks or rotors

NHTSA ID
11547502
Incident
Sep 30, 2023
Brakes
Filed Jul 31, 2023

Car make noises while breaking at times, does not break at all if you dont push the pedal really hard.

NHTSA ID
11535512
Incident
Oct 4, 2022
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 23, 2023

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. 3 - the front assist light comes on but doesn’t engage or when I am stopping it will engage so hard that it nearly stops my car on a dime (if I wasn’t wearing my seatbelt, I would have been on the floorboard). 4 - the remote start doesn’t work, from my fob or the app on my phone. The dealer was able to make it work once and said it was fixed. Hasn’t worked since. I only have 7,900 miles on my car and I just want it permanently fixed.

NHTSA ID
11518484
Incident
Oct 1, 2022
Brakes
Filed Mar 3, 2023

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

NHTSA ID
11510003
Incident
Mar 3, 2022
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 15, 2023

I have a 6 month old Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport (purchased in July/2022), only 5,000 miles on it. When driving, the front driver's side door warning light kept coming on, even though the door was fully closed. The car continued to beep and a warning message was displayed asking me to put the car in park. When I slowed down or stopped at a stop sign or traffic light, the emergency brake would automatically engage and I'd have to press a button to turn it off so I could drive. This is very dangerous to have the car be thrown into park when you're slowing down or stopping at a traffic light. This happened numerous times in the course of a couple weeks. Shortly after, my car display (with backup camera) went black and would not come back on. I brought my car into the dealer and they said they were unable to replicate what happened and couldn't get the warning messages to appear, so there was nothing they could fix. They reset my display/radio/backup camera and said it just lost power and needed to be rebooted (which isn't really normal for a new car and funny it happened at the same time the other problems were happening.) It appears there was a recall on previous years' models for a faulty wiring harness that was causing the same problems. Well, I'm thinking they need to continue this recall to newer models because it doesn't appear they have fixed the problem. It's very dangerous and I'm worried the automatic brake is going to engage, causing me to get rear-ended. If this ever happens, you better believe I'm holding Volkswagen accountable, since this is a known issue and they've already issued a recall on previous years' models. PLEASE FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM!

NHTSA ID
11507403
Incident
Feb 6, 2023
Brakes
Filed Feb 10, 2023

I have taken my car to the dealer and had them look at the brakes. Every time I press on the brakes it makes a grinding sound almost as if the car is to heavy for the brakes and skids a little. At Findlay Volkswagen they tell me they are aware of the problem, but Volkswagen has not approved any type of fix. I have also talked to other people with the same car everyone I have spoken with that has this model car has the same issues with the brakes. To mne this is a safety issue if the car is to heavy for the brakes.

NHTSA ID
11506664
Incident
Feb 10, 2023
Brakes
Filed Feb 2, 2023

The brakes make a grinding and squeaking sound after every start up and continues either for many miles or doesn't go away at all. It is a safety issue because the brakes sound horrible and this is not a normal occurrence for a new car, i will not know if there is a more serious issue with my brakes if its "normal" for them to make this sound. The dealership has inspected the vehicle and says everything is fine and that this is normal... They have had numerous of the same vehicle in the shop for the same issue. This is not normal for a brand new vehicle. No warning lamps are on.

NHTSA ID
11505132
Incident
Jan 19, 2023
Brakes
Filed Dec 28, 2022

Upon breaking its a grinding at time with squeaking. I’ve taken concern 2-3 times now to dealership and they say there’s nothing wrong with breaks. They have given me no resolution in fixing. It happens on a daily. Depending how breaking happens. I’ve never owned a vehicle that had this issue and for a dealership not to fix.

NHTSA ID
11499298
Incident
Dec 28, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 13, 2022

I leased the vehicle on 2/2022, months later I started having braking problems. The dealer stated the brakes squeals only in the morning, but the brakes squeals throughout the day while I am driving. A water leaked was fixed, however, the carpet remains in the car and on back order, also the smell effects my pregnant wife. If we were told brakes would be squealing we wouldn't have purchased the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11497301
Incident
Oct 22, 2022
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 18, 2022

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 screen has gone out a few times and the syncing system from cell phone via Bluetooth does not always seamlessly happen. I have taken my car to be checked out regarding my concerns. I was advised the car checked out.

NHTSA ID
11479926
Incident
May 10, 2022
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed May 2, 2022

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 have called 2 branches of dealerships through vw and since its a recalled car with no remedy, they will not let me schedule appointments to fix as they have no loaners available long term. I am very scared driving this car with two small children and the airbags recalls, brake problems and electrical malfunctioning. The VW customer care did not help me at all with the claim, and more concerns are happening weekly. With no remedy for the recall, vw dealerships have given me no trade in options or ability to put into the service department; they took name and number and said they would call when remedy is available.

NHTSA ID
11462998
Incident
Mar 1, 2022
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 24, 2022

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. How is it safe to drive when you are driving down the road and the emergency brake engages? Then you have a wreck and the airbags don't deploy correctly? I am a nurse and drive all over Texas for my job. Sometimes I may drive 3 hours just to get to one location, then drive 3 hours back. These issues do not leave me confident in driving my VW safely.

NHTSA ID
11458159
Incident
Mar 24, 2022

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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