2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Powertrain (other) Problems

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

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

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

Persistent seat/floorboard vibration at highway speeds (60–80+ mph) on my 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T SE w/Tech. Began after 10,000-mile service (June 2025) at Bob Boast VW (FL) and has continued despite multiple dealer visits and repairs, including tire/wheel balancing, alignment, tire replacement, and later axle + bevel box replacement (Sept 2025). Dealers verified the vibration but ultimately labeled it “operating as expected.” This is unacceptable for a new vehicle and undermines comfort, safety confidence, and value. Numerous owners report similar Atlas vibrations (driveshaft/bevel box/mount resonance). I seek formal investigation, case documentation, and relief (compensation or buyback) given repeated, unsuccessful repair attempts

NHTSA ID

11692385

Incident

Aug 8, 2025

Flawed programming of the transmission control module posing a safety risks in various low speed driving scenarios and potential repair expenses due to excessive engine strain. There is a widespread defect with the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport that may affect the Atlas as well. Many owners in Facebook groups are experiencing this defect. Despite Volkswagen, wherein referred to as VW, claiming the performance of transmission control module (TCM) is a characteristic of the vehicle, the defect affects acceleration after decelerating below 20 MPH when the operator (driver) expects the vehicle to typically reaccelerate. The flawed programming inhibits the transmission from downshifting at speeds below 20 MPH to properly reaccelerate, even in Sport Mode with the expectation of a more reactive transmission performance. The transmission remains in 3rd gear at speeds between 5-20 MPH after decelerating rather than downshifting into 2nd gear to reaccelerate; however, from a complete stop, the transmission will properly use 2nd gear; generally from 5-19 MPH. There is an audible strain on the engine when the RPM increase but the transmission does not downshift. There is a manual "trick" to signal the TCM to downshift when slowing below 20 MPH. A quick pulse of the accelerator pedal will signal the TCM to downshift and the transmission will properly operate in 2nd gear for reacceleration. The challenge is not always having enough time to pulse the pedal in congested driving situations. It's dangerous. A few examples when this is observed is during stop and go traffic, turning into parking garages with immediate inclines, merging into interstate traffic, U-turns, climbing inclines below 20 MPH, etc.

NHTSA ID

11681788

Incident

Dec 28, 2024

My new car is telling me I have a transmission problem. I got in my car to go to work and my car wouldn’t go in drive or reverse. Then my back up camera doesn’t work all the time and my screen gets blurry or complete black.

NHTSA ID

11678815

Incident

Aug 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that after pressing the engine Start/Stop button to start the vehicle in the driveway, she exited the vehicle and sat in the front passenger's seat. After 4-5 minutes, the vehicle inadvertently rolled backward while the transmission was in park (P). No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle rolled over her daughter's left knee before stopping at the end of the driveway. Additionally, the "Error: Drive System. Please Service Vehicle" message was previously displayed while driving, and the parking brake was inoperable. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report. The contact's daughter received medical treatment at the hospital for knee pain and tire scratches on her right knee and feet. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnosis. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,350.

NHTSA ID

11620983

Incident

Oct 20, 2024

Mileage

21,350 mi

To the best of my knowledge, the transmission failed to function appropriately causing danger. After pulling onto a major highway, the car stopped in front of oncoming traffic and the rpm’s shot up. After letting off the gas and pressing again, the car then shifted and was able to drive. This happened after several instances of delayed shifting noted but this is the first time it has stalled out while driving. Stalling on a major highway puts me and others at risk of crashing if I am unable to move my vehicle suddenly. No warning lamps were present then or now. According to my owners manual, I am to alert the NHTSA and Volkswagen. My next step is to reach out to Volkswagen.

NHTSA ID

11618433

Incident

Oct 5, 2024