2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Owner Complaints

On two consecutive occasions, my 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport suddenly lost almost all ability to accelerate after highway driving. Both times, after exiting the highway and stopping at a traffic light, pressing the accelerator would only allow the vehicle to travel a few miles per hour. The vehicle was effectively unable to accelerate normally or keep up with traffic. Turning the vehicle completely off and restarting it restored normal acceleration. The same problem occurred again the following day under similar circumstances. Multiple dashboard warnings appeared, including the check-engine light. During the second occurrence, a red coolant-related warning also appeared. I took the vehicle to an authorized Volkswagen dealer. The dealer documented a fault for “ENGINE COOLANT FLOW LOW/PERFORMANCE” and found Volkswagen TSB 01-24-06 applicable. The repair order states that DTC P00B7, P0116 or P2681 was stored in the engine/motor control module. The dealer performed the prescribed ECM programming update under warranty. The dealer inspection showed the coolant system as OK and did not identify or repair a coolant leak or replace any cooling-system components. My safety concern is the sudden, severe loss of propulsion/acceleration in normal traffic. Had this occurred while merging onto a highway, crossing an intersection, or in other high-speed traffic, the inability to accelerate could have resulted in a collision. I am filing this complaint so NHTSA has a record of this loss-of-propulsion condition and its association with the documented ECM/coolant-flow fault and Volkswagen software update.

NHTSA ID

11756349

Incident

Aug 9, 2026

VW sent an over-the-air remote tech update on 8/8/206. Once the update was completed and the system rebooted, the rearview backup camera and cross-traffic safety system are no longer working. We tried a system reset, which did not work, and we tried a hard reset ( car was outside - doors locked and car off for 20 minutes+). Tried to get an appointment, and the dealer pushed us out 3+ weeks—this is unacceptable for a safety system issue. In addition, VW has not completed the engine cover repair/recall even though your system shows no open recalls, which is strange and unsettling. Is VW hiding recall repairs or marking them complete when not done ???

NHTSA ID

11755827

Incident

Aug 8, 2026

The media center does not shut off when my car shuts off, I brought it to Ken Garf Volkswagen dealership on June 25 when my car died. They did a diagnostic. I picked it up and they said there was nothing they could do about the media center because there are no software updates for it. So basically the plan was to just have my car continue dying. On July 10, it died again for the same reason.

NHTSA ID

11749842

Incident

Jul 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made abnormally loud squeaking and grinding sounds. The failure persisted, and the vehicle hesitated while responding with the brake pedal depressed while driving, causing the braking distance to be extended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the issue was normal vehicle operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 29,918.

NHTSA ID

11746157

Incident

May 6, 2026

Mileage

29,918 mi

Getting air bag warning for passenger side airbag not working

NHTSA ID

11741136

Incident

May 29, 2026

I am submitting this updated complaint regarding ongoing issues with Safety Recall 69PZ (Passenger Occupant Detection System) on my 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Despite multiple repair attempts at Gossett Volkswagen in Memphis, TN, the recall remains incomplete, and the vehicle now exhibits additional safety‑system failures that began immediately after dealership service. I purchased the vehicle from Gossett Volkswagen and have had all warranty and recall work performed exclusively at this dealership. The first recall attempt occurred on April 20, 2026. The second attempt occurred on April 29, 2026, when the dealership picked up and returned my vehicle; this visit is confirmed by home security footage and text messages, but no repair order was issued. A third attempt on May 4, 2026 was also unsuccessful. On May 8, 2026, the dealership produced a repair order stating “SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED RECALL,” but later acknowledged in writing that the recall was not complete. On May 18, 2026, another repair order inaccurately stated that I “declined” the recall. Immediately after the [XXX] visit, my vehicle displayed new safety‑system errors, including Drivetrain Error, Emergency Assist Error, and Front Assist Error. These issues were not present before the visit and were documented on video. On May 20, 2026, during a recorded call, the Service Manager stated that the dealership would not schedule, diagnose, or repair any issues on my vehicle unless I authorized the recall repair, even though the new defects are unrelated to the recall and should be covered under warranty. He also stated the dealership is a “private company” and can refuse service. As a [XXX] who relies on custom hand controls, these unresolved safety issues and the dealership’s refusal to perform warranty repairs have left me with an unsafe and unreliable vehicle. I am requesting NHTSA’s review of the recall handling, documentation inconsistencies, and the resulting safety concerns. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (

NHTSA ID

11739489

Incident

Apr 20, 2026

Repeated sensors go off simultaneously, brake assist, lane assist, rear brake maneuver assist and the infotainment system will reboot altogether causing the entire system to reboot and black out. The screen has not come on at times and and entire system will reboot. The vehicle has been to Hendrick dealership in [XXX] multiple times and has not been repaired and they keep saying they can’t replicate the problem, even though I have photos and video of the incidents. I have also documented when the malfunctions occur. I due have an attorney. Volkswagen is claiming the car is functioning properly, but the same problems keep occurring with no solution to the problem. This is a major safety concern and this is my only vehicle to drive. I have a lot of photos and all work orders, I can’t upload everything due to limited files that can be uploaded. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11734871

Incident

Aug 19, 2025

The malfunction involves the windshield wiper control system, including the rain-sensing activation module and associated control software. The system activates windshield wipers without any driver input under dry and clear conditions. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. Safety was compromised due to sudden and uncommanded wiper activation occurring during active driving conditions, including highway and nighttime operation. This results in temporary loss of visibility as the windshield is smeared by debris, requiring driver distraction to manually control or disable the system while operating the vehicle in traffic. Initial complaints regarding this issue were made by [XXX] during dealership service visits; however, those concerns were not consistently documented in the official repair records at the time they were reported and were initially dismissed or not formally recorded by service personnel until later intervention ensured the issue was entered verbatim on the service order. The issue has been reported and addressed during multiple dealership service visits; however, the condition has not been reliably reproduced and permanently corrected by the dealer despite documented repair attempts, including sensor replacement and manufacturer-level software (ODIS) updates. The malfunction has persisted after these interventions. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Volkswagen dealership service department. No inspection has been conducted by police, insurance representatives, or independent third parties. No consistent warning lamps or dashboard messages were present prior to the failure. The activation occurs unpredictably and without prior warning indicators. The issue first appeared intermittently at lower mileage and has continued through recent operation. The defect persists after multiple repairs and manufacturer intervention, indicating an uncorrectable electronic system failure causing an unresolved safety risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMA

NHTSA ID

11733582

Incident

Jul 25, 2025

Component/System: Electrical system (wiring, control modules, and related software) Availability for Inspection: Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The electrical cutouts and glitching create an unpredictable and dangerous driving situation. Sudden electrical failures can affect critical systems such as power steering, braking assist, instrument cluster, and engine control — putting myself and other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk of an accident. Rear camera would also black out while reversing and once or twice the gas stopped working on the highway. Dealer/Service Confirmation: Yes. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed. The vehicle has been brought in for repair 7 times for the same recurring electrical cutout and glitching issue. Each visit resulted only in essentially a software update, currently no permanat solution to the problem. Inspection by Manufacturer/Others: The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership/authorized service center on all 7 occasions. The manufacturer's representatives (via the dealership) have been aware of this ongoing issue. Warning Lamps/Symptoms: [Describe any warning lights, error messages, or symptoms you noticed — e.g., dashboard warning lights flickering, system reboot messages, loss of display, unexpected shutdowns, etc.] These symptoms have been recurring and have not been resolved despite repeated software updates. Summary: Despite 7 repair attempts, all resulting in software updates only, the electrical cutout and glitching problem persists. The root cause has not been identified or permanently fixed by the dealer. This represents an ongoing safety defect that requires investigation.

NHTSA ID

11733379

Incident

Aug 28, 2025

When traveling at hwy speeds (about 55-60mph) on long straight stretches of road, the steering feels sticky when trying to slightly adjust the steering wheel to keep the car going straight in your lane. In other words, when you are traveling on a straight stretches of hwy and you need to make very minor adjustments with the steering wheel to keep the car moving straight ahead, the steering wheel is resistant to those minor changes. You have to almost jerk the steering wheel to get it unstuck off of center.

NHTSA ID

11726043

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

Discovered oil leak after smelling burning oil in garage. I have the 2 liter turbo motor.. Service tech at VW confirms loose cover bolts plus an additional leak. Online search shows recall for same problem with Audis equipped with same motor because of fire hazard. I have video of inspection but was unable to download. Attached are photos

NHTSA ID

11724842

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

The vehicle’s infotainment and connectivity system has malfunctioned since the day the vehicle was purchased. This includes the integrated GPS navigation system and Bluetooth phone connectivity. The system frequently freezes, disconnects, fails to recognize the phone, or stops functioning while the vehicle is in operation. These systems are critical for navigation and hands free communication while driving. The issue has occurred repeatedly since purchase and has not been successfully repaired despite multiple service visits. The vehicle and system are available for inspection upon request. The problem has been reported to and evaluated by the authorized Volkswagen dealership multiple times. The dealer has acknowledged the malfunction and has attempted to diagnose the issue during several service visits. The dealer has also informed me that there is a national service bulletin related to this issue but that there is currently no available fix. The issue began immediately after the vehicle was purchased. Symptoms include the infotainment system freezing, navigation failure, loss of Bluetooth connectivity, and the system failing to recognize or maintain phone pairing. These failures occur intermittently and without warning during normal operation of the vehicle. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by an authorized Volkswagen dealership service department. To date the issue has not been resolved despite repeated attempts. I have also contacted Volkswagen Customer Care to open a case regarding the defect.

NHTSA ID

11721885

Incident

Dec 31, 2024

This vehicle, since January of 2025, has a screen that flickers and shuts off entirely multiple times per day. Sometimes, it is severe enough that the entire computer system shuts down and none of the safety features are available, such as collision warning, automatic braking, etc.. You also cannot control the heat or see the backup camera because of the screen being broken. This is a persistent issue that VW has no permanent solution for. The car has been in the shop multiple times for multiple weeks attempting a repair, but even the dealer has said to start the buyback process because they have dozens of people with the same issue.

NHTSA ID

11721693

Incident

Jan 31, 2025

The Digital Display Continues to drop connection to phone when driving. Digital display drops blue tooth - will recycle and not auto connect Will state that it needs wifi connection and action must be taken on phone while driving. VW - has claimed to be working on a fix for over a year. Every dealer visit does not resolve issue.

NHTSA ID

11721399

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

Driver side door came unlocked while driving. Lock and handle would not engage, had child in the car.

NHTSA ID

11720858

Incident

Feb 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that an ambient warning light appeared on the instrument cluster, indicating that the rear passenger’s side taillight unit was inoperative. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on five separate occasions to address the failure. During the visits, the bulb was replaced, the taillight assembly was replaced twice, and the control module was replaced. The dealer later determined that the module had been installed incorrectly. The repairs were completed, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

NHTSA ID

11719017

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

Mileage

11,000 mi

am writing to formally report a serious safety issue with my Volkswagen Atlas. The SOS system is malfunctioning, and as a result, I am unable to use cruise control. The vehicle is displaying system errors, and I have been informed that this issue affects multiple driver-assistance features. This malfunction creates a dangerous driving condition. The SOS system is intended for emergency assistance, and its failure raises concerns about whether emergency services would be contacted in the event of an accident. Additionally, the loss of cruise control impacts safe operation, particularly during highway driving. Given that this is a safety-related system, I believe this issue requires immediate attention and resolution. Please advise: Whether this issue is covered under warranty If there are any known recalls or service bulletins related to this malfunction What steps will be taken to correct the problem promptly I request that this matter be treated as urgent due to the safety risks involved. I expect a timely response and a clear plan for repair.

NHTSA ID

11718871

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

Despite repeated repair attempts, months-long delays due to unavailable parts, and providing dealership technicians with clear video/audio evidence, authorized Volkswagen dealerships failed to properly diagnose/document defects causing severe safety hazards. My vehicle continues to suffer from persistent braking defects, defective sensors resulting in sensor failures, recurring software safety malfunctions from recall-related defects and safety hazards. Charges Related to repairs/replacements for Defective Sensors, Alignment Calibration for safety-assist systems & Software Safety Issues: Engine Cover (Battery adjacent), Engine Damage/Stalling, Untorqued Chassis/Brake/Suspension Bolts, Brake Master Cylinder, Passenger Air Bag Defect, Back Over Prevention / Camera., infotainment, software/engine safety issues. These charges stem directly from defects/malfunctions causing severe safety hazards associated with systemic recall-affected vehicle components. These severe defects have substantially impaired the use, value, and safety of my vehicle. Texas law requires a true remedy, replacing a defective vehicle with another year/model known to have the exact same safety recalls does not resolve the problem or cures the defect. Therefore, a replacement vehicle with ongoing systemic recalls across multiple safety systems with 2024–2025 Atlas Cross Sport models including braking, chassis bolt torque, camera visibility, engine cover fire risk, and airbag defects is not an acceptable remedy. Volkswagen’s failure to repair, dismiss complaints, and refusal to document safety defects constitute a material breach of warranty, breach of contract, fraudulent concealment, and fraudulent conduct under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Federal laws. Waiting several months for parts due to recalls/defects, increasing hazards, and safety risks place me and my special needs child in grave danger creating extreme anxiety and fear of driving our vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11716371

Incident

Dec 21, 2023

When the vehicle was shifted from park to drive, the vehicle went neutral and began to roll back. Immediately there was a transmission error and warning light illumination. The vehicle was put in park and a shift to drive was attempted again. The car again rolled backwards. The vehicle was turned off and after 30 seconds restarted with warning lights still on the vehicle was shifted to drive, this time the check engine light came on and the vehicle entered “safe mode” indicating it needed service but was safe to drive. The vehicle was driven home. 3 days later when driving to the dealer for repair the warning lights were clear. The car was driven 7 miles without issue when the car was stopped and an attempt to put the car in reverse the transmission warning re-illuminated and warned do not drive and the vehicle began to roll. The vehicle was released to the dealer for immediate service. The shift control sensor was found to be faulty. The vehicle has 9044 miles on it, the repair was covered by warranty, and is a known issue by VW. Had these errors occurred on open roads or intersections this would have caused a major safety concern. If VW knows this is a problem why no recall. The car had to be practically disassembled to repair, dropping the fuel tank, muffler and drive shaft to install the new part. On essentially a brand new car.

NHTSA ID

11712815

Incident

Jan 9, 2026

While driving approximately 75 mph on an interstate highway, the engine suddenly shut off without warning. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. Power was lost while the vehicle was still moving at highway speed. When the engine shut off, I lost propulsion and had to coast across lanes to reach the shoulder while surrounded by fast-moving traffic. Steering and braking were reduced and required extra effort. This created an immediate and serious safety risk to myself and other drivers. After safely stopping, I was able to restart the vehicle. It drove again, but the cause of the shutdown was unknown. I brought the vehicle to a Volkswagen dealership for inspection. They stated they could not replicate the issue and no fault codes were found, so no repair was performed. The vehicle has not been repaired and remains in the same condition as when the failure occurred. The component that failed is unknown, but it appears to involve the engine, fuel, electrical, or computer control system that caused the engine to shut off while the vehicle was in motion. This event put my life and the lives of others at risk due to sudden loss of power at highway speed. I do not feel the vehicle is safe to drive because the failure occurred without warning and without explanation, and it could happen again.

NHTSA ID

11711225

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

The brakes are loud, grinding, and sounds like water sloshing around. Upon research, VW knows this issues since their 22 model and has yet to address it but rather keeps using bad material brakes. The braking results in shaking when breaking especially in the colder months. This is not safe and on a brand new car, should not be happening. The dealerships acknowledged that this is a known issue with VW

NHTSA ID

11707163

Incident

Oct 21, 2024

Vehicle: 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport VIN: [XXX] Component: Air Bags – Frontal (Driver) Description of the problem: I am reporting a possible safety issue involving the driver front airbag. I was involved in a frontal collision in my 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport that resulted in severe front-end damage. The vehicle was declared a total loss. During the crash, the driver steering-wheel airbag did not deploy. Based on the severity of the impact and damage, airbag deployment would normally be expected. There were no airbag warning lights or alerts prior to the crash that I am aware of. No injuries requiring hospital care occurred. I am submitting this report to document a potential airbag non-deployment issue for safety review purposes. Crash details (if prompted by the form): •Crash type: Frontal collision •Vehicle damage: Severe / Total loss •Driver front airbag deployed: No •Injuries: None requiring medical treatment •Vehicle towed from scene: Yes INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11707082

Incident

Dec 24, 2025

Acceleration problem upon accelerating passing a vehicle has become a safety issue. Approaching a vehicle and slowing down to pass, upon accelerating to pass, RPM drops drastically to almost a complete engine stall. I am partially in the passing lane with no power. Engine RPM then increases after the stall. I have been to the dealer with this, they cannot find the problem. No codes are set. This is a safety issue to me and other drivers approaching me due to the engine hesitation. Thank you for your consideration in this problem.

NHTSA ID

11697844

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

Steering wheel locks/sticks momentarily while driving, started noticing this after driving long distances (over 60 miles) and now is starting to happen on shorter distance drives. I have taken it to a VW dealership and they "couldn't recreate the problem". When this happens, the steering locks momentarily and when trying to correct the path of the vehicle, you almost have to jerk the wheel to maintain a straight path. This makes the vehicle feel like I am zig-zagging in the lane. It happens throughout the drive, not just one time. No warning lights are shown when this occurs.

NHTSA ID

11696113

Incident

Aug 12, 2025

Infotainment screen has had issues since the last recall completed on or about July 21st 2025. Currently my Infotainment screen and heads up window is not operational as of October 24, 2025. I keep doing a soft reset which corrects it for may be a day or so. But clearly its only getting worse and it continues to happen even in the middle of driving. I shouldn't have to continuously reset the screen every other day. Amongst this bigger issue I also have issues with car play it doesnt work or just stops working and neither does the car charger/usb ports. They work when they get ready to. I'm also having issues with the remote start. It works when it gets ready to, with a full tank of gas. This car has 12000 miles and not having the safety components working as they should is not good. No radio no safety sensors no backup camera no navigation is a hassle that noone should be experiencing with out a fix. I know this is common I just want a permanent fix because the update recall clearly was not it.

NHTSA ID

11695543

Incident

Oct 24, 2025