Complaint volume
158 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2024 Volkswagen Atlas Complaints
158 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, grouped by component category.
158 Total complaints
6 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
6 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are service brakes, unknown or other, engine. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 6 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 6 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 7 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 16,503 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to service brakes, unknown or other, engine?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2024 Volkswagen Atlas?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2024 Volkswagen Atlas
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas complaints?
6 Crash
2 Fire
6 Injury
0 Fatality
2 Towed
4 Medical attention
What are the most common 2024 Volkswagen Atlas complaint categories?
SERVICE BRAKES 21
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15
ENGINE 12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10
POWER TRAIN 9
AIR BAGS 8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 5
VISIBILITY/WIPER 5
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4
STRUCTURE 4
158 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | ENGINE | I was sitting in park and the car started shaking and then completely shut down. When I was able to turn the engine back on there was a message that popped up that said Error Drive System: please service vehicle. There was a lit up part of the engine in the message. It took 3 weeks to get into the dealership. They said they could find something wrong or an error code. Something is not right with this car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Error: Transmission displayed on monitor and vehicle will not go into drive. Stranded with 3 little kids and need to call tow truck to take vehicle into dealership. It says you can continue driving but can’t get vehicle out of park. After researching this online it sounds like it is a common problem and could be related to the gear selector switch. I hear no electrical motors or any noise when trying to put it into gear like there is no power going to gear selector motor. Dead in the water and absolutely irritated especially with a car full of toddlers. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | Bought a new 2024 VW Atlas Se with 4 miles on it. Around 6700 miles my brakes grinds and squeaks whenever I brake when the pads are cold. Took it to the VW dealership in Capitol Heights, MD. They claimed they cleaned the brakes but the same problem is occurring. From researching the problem it seems many people are having this same problem. VW should be aware of the issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I have had 4 chips in my windshield with under 7,000 miles on normal routes I have driven for years with no other vehicles having a single chip. The VW atlas forum I’m on also has several people. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The windshield seems to be made of poor quality. Drives city roads , and the same roads and conditions that i drive my other teo cars but tgis 2024Atlas chipped in tow times alrrady in amonth and this time had a 7-8 icnh crack with a very small chip. This looks unusual mostly caused by low stabdard windshield or issue with how it’s installed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | WHEN BRAKING THERE IS A GRINDING/SCREECHING NOISE Upon inspection found front brake pads to be down to metal damaging rotor i was informed by a mechanic that the issue with the brakes is not normal wear and tear that it is a factory defect coz they are not wearing out equally the right side is worst than the left that in the right side theres no brakes anymore deañer says i have to pay for it i dont understand why if my truck is new and it is not a normal wear and tear | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I have a 2024 Volkswagon Atlas and right now my screen is completely not working. Everything is functional through the screen for controls as well. I can't even control the thermostat. This has become a safety issue as my windows are icy in the morning and I cant turn the defroster on. The service department at the dealership won't look at the car because they said it is a known issue and Volkswagon is doing a system update. I was told to hold the power button down for 10 seconds to reset the screen but even that is not working at all. Warning lights come up constantly as well. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES | Horrific screeching sound while braking. Braking when going down slight hill grinds and drags when braking. Brake sound occurs after car stops in addition to the grinding screeching sound during braking. Took vehicle in to VW and they report brake pads are 8mm and no issues found but stated there is a defect in the composite of this models brakes and will notify once they get more information. This is absolutely unacceptable and unsafe. Why should I be driving a brand new car with these sounds?? The embarrassing sound and lack of braking is a severe concern. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The display which provides all vehicle information as well as guidance malfunctions (pixelates). Volkswagen acknowledges a faulty display chip is the cause. The dealer has updated software and even replaced the display with no success. I notified the dealer about the replaced display and he advised the VW has stopped the display replacement process. This means that potentially all 2024 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles are suspect. Without vehicle data accessible and no navigation available this distraction has created a hazard for driving on at least 2 occasions. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | error with drive system was caused by engine overheating. maneuver braking function triggered and faulty throttle body issue discovered. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | My breaks are screeching. It is inconcsistent and the dealership from my knowledge was not able to reciprocate the issue. They said the break pads had debris on them and they were cleaned at my last appointment. However the next day the breaks were screeching again. Being a brand new car I don't understand how the breaks have so much debris and are screeching already. Makes me think there has to be something wrong with them and that doesn't make me feel safe putting my kids in the car everyday. I need to take my care back in to have my breaks looked at however everytime I take my car in they say it takes 24-48 hours to diagnose an issue. They never have a loaner and don't cover a rental car. I have paid out of pocket for a rental twice now and cannot afford it anymore right now due to the holidays. The infotainment screen goes fuzzy frequently. To my knowledge the dealership was unable to reciprocate the issue. When the screen goes fuzzy it still works, I am unable to see anything on the screen. When I put the vehicle in reverse I cannot see anything on the backup camera. I can't tell if someone or something is walking behind my vehicle. This is a huge safety issue. I have taken my vehicle three times for this issue. First they replaced the screen, second they did a hard reboot, the third time they said there is nothing they can do due to a software update coming. However no one knows when this update is going to happen, in the meantime I am driving around with a fuzzy screen. I have done all the software updates that have prompted on my screen, I have reboot my screen I don't know how many times. I have attached my part of the invoice for my first appointment. I don't have a invoice full invoice due to the dealership being sold and they no longer have them on file. I have attached the second invoice. There was not room for the third. I have filed lemon law asking VW to buy my vehicle back. I am waiting for an answer from them. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | ENGINE | The vehicle started shaking while making metal grinding noises, which forced us to pull over and have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership. We were told that the engine had metal parts that came loose in the engine compartment and that the engine now has to be replaced. The car had 11,205 miles prior to being immobilized. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | Brakes grind and vibrate and have for the past 7,000 miles, dealer continues to say this is normal for Volkswagen, this problem has been reported numerous times to VW and doing an internet search I am not the only one with this problem. Numerous other individuals with these vehicles also have this issue. The other issue is the transfer case continues to leak, this has been replaced once already, and now less than 4,000 miles later it is leaking again. VW continues to say everything is normal and it is normal to feel the vibration and grinding in the brake pedal and VW continues to say it is safe and normal for these sounds. However, this grinding feeling, not squeaking, but grinding and vibration in the brake pedal cannot be safe. This is a serious safety concern for myself and my family. They say brake pads are normal and not worn, so this isn’t a brake pad issue, but a deeper issue. The third issue is the infotainment system at times in start up will just be black, and will not come on, so you are unable to adjust climate control, radio, use backup camera, etc. the only way this will fix itself is if you turn the car off and back on, the dealer has updated they system, and it still continues to do this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS | Infotainment display graphics issue; most controls (including disabling seat heaters) are through this screen and camera is displayed on it. Unable to see display clearly and therefore interact with controls or view backup camera to look for obstacles. Search online for "2024 atlas screen glitch" and you'll see quite a few pictures that are similar. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Infotainment system sporadically becomes pixelated and hard to see and use. The dealership has verified the issue, confirms VW is aware and says there is no fix. This is a very serious safety issue while driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | BACK OVER PREVENTION | I have had this new car for 10 months. Since last month, when I start the car, the Rear Traffic Alerts light comes on on the dashboard and a warning message comes up saying that the rear traffic alert is not working. Then I turn off the car, open and close the driver's door, and start the car again. This happens every now and then. There is no problem with the car or the sensor. I searched the internet and YouTube and found that there are some people who have the same problem as mine. I hope this can be fixed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Screen continues to go out causing to be non functional | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Two weeks ago a small pebble hit my windshield. Immediately, the chip hit spread inches long. I was shocked that the chip spread immediately approximately 5 inches. There was zero chance of repair. This morning, I got into my car only to notice an additional crack from the top of my windshield down approximately 6 inches. I did not hear a pebble- or anything- hit my windshield. These two cracks are not near one another. I have never experienced anything like this. I've owned this brand new vehicle for 4 months. I have traveled the same routes for over 20 years with no issues. Is the glass on this vehicle subpar? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle struck a deer that jumped in the middle of the roadway impacting the vehicle on the front driver's side. The contact was attempting to pull over when another vehicle rear-ended her vehicle while driving at an unknown speed, fatally wounding the driver of the other vehicle. The other vehicle had the driver as the only occupant and succumbed to their inquiries on the scene. No air bags were deployed. The "Crash Detected" and "Air Bag Malfunction" messages were displayed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The front passenger's side seat, where the contact's husband was sitting, inadvertently moved backward and seized upon impact. The contact's son, who was sitting in the rear passenger's seat, was unable to exit the vehicle immediately since the rear passenger's side door failed to open. The medics extracted her son from the rear driver's side door. The contact, her husband, and her son were transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The contact sustained bruising to the right eye, lung, hips, and arms, as well as a cracked tooth and a fractured rib. At the hospital, the contact received staples in her head and four stitches on the forehead. The contact's husband suffered cuts and bruises on his right arm and hip. The contact's son sustained a head contusion, shoulder bruising, and cuts and bruises on his knees. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard but was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,327. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 3 Towed Medical attention | 15,327 |
| Oct 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Vehicle has randomly applied emergency breaking with the Forward Collision Warning System activating when no vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or objects were present to initiate this safety feature. This has happened in October of 2023, March of 2024, and August of 2024. Infotainment System has been replaced once to address several issues. These issues have not being resolved. Vehicle is currently at VW for the 9th+ time to rectify multiple issues with vehicle. Have started the Lemon Law process for this vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Infotainment System issue-basically the screen that controls the vehicle- apple car play (maps, phone, talk to text),radio, climate control etc. Screen pixelates and goes completely black losing maps, talk to text, phone etc. We have had the vehicle in 3 times. There is NO FIX from VW at this time. They replaced the screen and it continues to happen. Safety-can't talk to text, make phone calls (illegal to do in Michigan via your actual phone). Maps - goes black. Can't find how to get somewhere. We have been to service-VW doesn't have a fix at this time. Vehicle was purchased brand new April 2024. This problem started at 4 days old with 32 miles on it. No warning. Just goes black or starts to pixelate randomly | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | I have a 2024 VW Atlas and the infotainment screen sporadically goes pixelated and it is very hard to use the touchscreen controls. When this happens the rearview camera is also impossible to use as the screen is all scrambled. I have in Massachusetts and now since it cold in the morning if the screen is scrambled it makes it very hard to control the heat and turn on the defroster. I will have to let my car sit in my driveway running for at least 20 minutes before I can see out the window. The car has been to VW 3 times now and nothing has been resolved. They are now telling me that they are waiting on a new software updated that will happen mid December. This is a major safety issue and needs to be resolved immediately. Looking online this is a MAJOR problem that VW is aware of but don't have a resolution to. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | I was driving about 75 mph when my car alerted me that the engine had stopped and I needed to pull over immediately. The wheels continued to turn and the car was stuck in neutral. I pulled over and tried to push the SOS button which did not connect. I then tried to restart my car and it started but would not shift out of neutral. I called the police for help and my brand new car had to be towed. The tires then froze up after being put on the tow truck and would not release- even though the car was in neutral. When the car finally did start and shift after getting to the dealer ship, the car told me it was in emergency transmission mode. My safety was most definitely put at risk because my car turned off on the interstate for no apparent reason - i luckily was able to get to the emergency lane. I have taken it to the shop and of course they could no replicate this issue- there were no lights prior to this | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | ENGINE | when stopped at light or parked engine has rough idling, car is at dealership as of today 10/8/2024. It has been at dealership off and on for same issue for a total of 56 days. Vehicle only has 3000 miles. In regards to safety, we do not know if vehicle will shut off when at a stop light due to rough idling. The problem has been reproduced 3 separate times (have a video of the tachometer showing rough idle), the dealership has also reproduced problem. The vehicle has been inspected and check by Carolina Volkswagen dealership. They are in contact with the manufacturer. There were no warning lights, but we could see the rough idling on the tachometer. It happened intermittently upon purchased, but go progressively worse. We took it in on 7/25/2024 for 4 days. Took it again for same issue on 8/15/2024 they had it for 42 days. As soon as we got the vehicle back on 9/26/2024 they stated that replace the PVC value and that this fixed it. Unfortunately, the same day 9/26/24 the issue was not resolved as engine continue to have rough idle. Took it back on 9/27/24 and as of today 10/8/2024 our vehicle is still at Carolina Volkswagen dealership. Initially they stated it might be the Braked Booster and to us that is a safety concern. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield cracked without a significant event occurring. Windshield appears to be weaker or defective. I have driven over 220k miles on another vehicle and only replaced the windshield once due to hitting a deer! This was less than one year of having the atlas and it was a small rock at lower speeds (30-35mph). There are numerous other complaints of cracked windshields on this model, even multiple replacements. I admittedly drive 25-30k miles a year but have never had road debris crack a windshield like that. I could see if I was following a semi-truck or garbage truck and had something significant happen but I expect the windshield to hold up against minor rocks and other road debris hitting it. It cracked/spidered immediately. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |