2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Owner Complaints

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE UPON COMING TO A COMPLETED STOP, VARIOUS FAULT MESSAGES ARE DISPLAYED 'ELECTRONIC BRAKE ERROR/DRIVER CONTACT SWITCH ERROR, START/STOP ERROR'. THE CAR DETECTS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN EVEN THOUGH IT IS COMPLETELY CLOSED WHICH CAUSES PARKING BREAK TO ACTIVATE IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE ; THE START/STOP SYSTEM THEN ACTIVATES TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THIS MAKES PERFORMING ANY LOW SPEED MANEUVER EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS AS YOU MUST FIRST FIND THEN PRESS THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BREAKING BUTTON/TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BREAK AND WAIT FOR THE START STOP TO DEACTIVATE/THEN ACCELERATE. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN EXECUTING A LEFT TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE CAR STOPPED AND THE BREAK ACTIVATED WHILE CARS WERE APPROACHING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED VW DEALER WHO REPLACED THE LOCKS AND DOOR HANDLE AND DID SAFETY INSPECTION. AS SOON AS I LEFT THE DEALER THE CAR DISPLAYED THE SAME PROBLEMS REPORTED. CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER WHO ADVISED THEY ORDERED A NEW DOOR SWITCH TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS THE ONE IN THE CAR WAS 'BAD'. CAR HAS BEEN WITH DEALER FOR 1 MONTH AS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS DUE TO IT BEING ON BACKORDER AT VW.

12/17/2020

UPON VEHICLE START, VEHICLE PROVIDED SEVERAL WARNINGS: 'DRIVER DOOR CONTACT SWITCH, ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE FAULT, AIRBAG ERROR', AND SEVERAL OTHERS. THE DRIVER AND DRIVER-REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN ABOUT TWO INCHES, SECURITY LIGHT WAS BLINKING, DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD ENGAGE AT LOW SPEED (1-2 MPH), AND WHEN STOPPED, WHILE IN GEAR (DRIVE).

3/15/2021

ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) WILL NOT WORK IF YOU REMOTE STARTED THE VEHICLE. TO GET IT NORMALLY WORK, YOU HAVE TO FULLY SWITCH OFF THE CAR AND THEN PUSH START IT. HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY VW DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING, THEN I NOTICED THAT REMOTE START WAS THE PROBLEM. SEEM TO ME THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF A SOFTWARE UPDATE FIX AS IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE NO ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC ISSUES.

8/19/2020

STEERING MAKES CREAKING AND NOISE WHEN TURNING EVEN WHEN STOPPED. DEALER REPLACED SWAY BAR LINKS TODAY VIA TSB. PROBLEM NOT FIXED, DEALER TEST DROVE AFTER FIX AND DETERMINED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE CLOCKSPRING. OTHERS ONLINE HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES, SOME SAY REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE RACK IS REQUIRED, I HOPE NOT.

9/24/2020

OUR ATLAS WILL RANDOMLY SLAM ON ITS BRAKES AS IF AVOIDING A COLLISION ON AN EMPTY ROAD. THE LANE ASSIST WILL ALSO STEER YOU TOWARDS OBSTACLES (LIKE CONSTRUCTION BARRELS) AND FIGHT AS YOUR TRY TO CORRECT ITS ERROR. ISSUES HAVE ALL OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION TRAVELING DOWN A 2 OR 4 LANE ROAD.

9/3/2020

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE UPON COMING TO A COMPLETED STOP, VARIOUS FAULT MESSAGES ARE DISPLAYED 'ELECTRONIC BRAKE ERROR/DRIVER CONTACT SWITCH ERROR, START/STOP ERROR'. THE CAR DETECTS THAT THE DOOR IS OPEN EVEN THOUGH IT IS COMPLETELY CLOSED WHICH CAUSES PARKING BREAK TO ACTIVATE IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE ; THE START/STOP SYSTEM THEN ACTIVATES TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THIS MAKES PERFORMING ANY LOW SPEED MANEUVER EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS AS YOU MUST FIRST FIND THEN PRESS THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BREAKING BUTTON/TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BREAK AND WAIT FOR THE START STOP TO DEACTIVATE/THEN ACCELERATE. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN EXECUTING A LEFT TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE CAR STOPPED AND THE BREAK ACTIVATED WHILE CARS WERE APPROACHING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED VW DEALER WHO REPLACED THE LOCKS AND DOOR HANDLE AND DID SAFETY INSPECTION. AS SOON AS I LEFT THE DEALER THE CAR DISPLAYED THE SAME PROBLEMS REPORTED. CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER WHO ADVISED THEY ORDERED A NEW DOOR SWITCH TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS THE ONE IN THE CAR WAS 'BAD'. CAR HAS BEEN WITH DEALER FOR 1 MONTH AS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS DUE TO IT BEING ON BACKORDER AT VW.

12/17/2020

WE EXPERIENCED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ON BOTH SIDES AS A RESULT OF A LOW-SPEED CONTACT WITH A CURB. WE WERE LEAVING A STOP SIGN AT A T INTERSECTION ON A SNOWY ROAD AND THE CAR SLID MAKING THE LEFT TURN AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL HIT THE CURB. WE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN TRAVELLING MORE THAN 10-15 MILES AN HOUR AND THE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL IS ONLY SCRAPES. WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AND HAVE HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY COLLISION EXPERTS THAT HAVE DOCUMENTED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED BASED ON THE MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION TO HAVE AIR BAGS DEPLOY WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT AS THEY CAN INJURE PASSENGERS, WE HAD ONE PASSENGER WITH SIGNIFICANT BRUISING. VW IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM AND HAVE LEFT US WITH A DAMAGED 2020 VEHICLE THAT CANNOT BE DRIVEN. I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE.

1/13/2021

UPON VEHICLE START, VEHICLE PROVIDED SEVERAL WARNINGS: 'DRIVER DOOR CONTACT SWITCH, ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE FAULT, AIRBAG ERROR', AND SEVERAL OTHERS. THE DRIVER AND DRIVER-REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN ABOUT TWO INCHES, SECURITY LIGHT WAS BLINKING, DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD ENGAGE AT LOW SPEED (1-2 MPH), AND WHEN STOPPED, WHILE IN GEAR (DRIVE).

3/15/2021

When turning the car on there are sometimes multiple errors: start-stop, driver door contact sensor, acc, and electronic brake. The car beeps very loudly telling me the engine is running (obviously). While driving, with or without current errors, the driver side windows will roll down, the doors will unlock and the car will apply emergency braking (out of no where) stoping the vehicle without warning. Supposedly this is an issue with the driver door wiring harness and apparently the part is almost impossible to get. The vehicle has been sitting at the dealership for two weeks with no ETA on parts.

1/3/2022

Door harness and module fault. Had emergency brake engage automatically while car was in gear, windows rolling up and down, key fob not working with the car while running and threatening shut down. Stabilizers needed replacing and alternator also low voltage while driving, stopped on the side of the road and would not engage into gear.

2/9/2022

STEERING MAKES CREAKING AND NOISE WHEN TURNING EVEN WHEN STOPPED. DEALER REPLACED SWAY BAR LINKS TODAY VIA TSB. PROBLEM NOT FIXED, DEALER TEST DROVE AFTER FIX AND DETERMINED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE CLOCKSPRING. OTHERS ONLINE HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES, SOME SAY REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE RACK IS REQUIRED, I HOPE NOT.

9/24/2020

PERSISTENT NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, LOUD CLICKING MORE SO WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. VIDEO EVIDENCE PRESENTED TO DEALER AFTER IT HAD BEEN IN TO THE SHOP ONCE BEFORE AND IT WAS DETERMINED FAULTY STEERING RACK,

10/24/2020

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT AS IT EXPLAINS IT ALL

2/17/2021

The contact owned a 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, he crashed into another vehicle and within seconds, his vehicle's engine compartment caught fire and exploded twice. The vehicle was engulfed in flames when the fire department arrived on the scene. The contact did not receive medical attention or sustain injuries however, the contact's wife received medical attention for injuries sustained and transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto service center and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,643.

6/21/2021

OUR ATLAS WILL RANDOMLY SLAM ON ITS BRAKES AS IF AVOIDING A COLLISION ON AN EMPTY ROAD. THE LANE ASSIST WILL ALSO STEER YOU TOWARDS OBSTACLES (LIKE CONSTRUCTION BARRELS) AND FIGHT AS YOUR TRY TO CORRECT ITS ERROR. ISSUES HAVE ALL OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION TRAVELING DOWN A 2 OR 4 LANE ROAD.

9/3/2020

WHEN USING VEHICLE REMOTE START THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS WITH ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ERROR NOT ALLOWING CRUISE CONTROL TO WORK OR DISABLES RANDOMLY WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO CAUSING FRONT ASSIST TO AVOID CRASH TO DISABLE.

10/1/2020

STEERING MAKES CREAKING AND NOISE WHEN TURNING EVEN WHEN STOPPED. DEALER REPLACED SWAY BAR LINKS TODAY VIA TSB. PROBLEM NOT FIXED, DEALER TEST DROVE AFTER FIX AND DETERMINED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE CLOCKSPRING. OTHERS ONLINE HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES, SOME SAY REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE RACK IS REQUIRED, I HOPE NOT.

9/24/2020

2020 Atlas Cross Sport SE 4 MOTION. At 15,000, vehicle exhibited unusual and dangerous transmission behavior that compromises the safety and longevity of the vehicle. The vehicle demonstrated severe acceleration lag from stop, revving at high RPM's before moving, harsh grinding gear shifts, "start/stop errors", and bucking at lower gears. Car was taken to service center for the first time and diagnosed with a transmission leak due to a faulty gasket, which was repaired. However, problems persisted and worsened. Shortly thereafter, car was taken a second time to service center and diagnosed with a faulty transmission valve and solenoids. Vehicle was returned, but continues to have rough gear shifts and hesitation under heavy acceleration. Car is in the service center for a third time, as of now, without fix. In addition, the vehicle was also sent to the service center for suspension issues-- unusual noise when going over bumps, and noise when turning at slow speeds. Sway bar was replaced on initial inspection, but noise while turning persists. No fix as of this complaint.

2/11/2022

2020 Atlas Cross Sport SE 4 MOTION. At 15,000, vehicle exhibited unusual and dangerous transmission behavior that compromises the safety and longevity of the vehicle. The vehicle demonstrated severe acceleration lag from stop, revving at high RPM's before moving, harsh grinding gear shifts, "start/stop errors", and bucking at lower gears. Car was taken to service center for the first time and diagnosed with a transmission leak due to a faulty gasket, which was repaired. However, problems persisted and worsened. Shortly thereafter, car was taken a second time to service center and diagnosed with a faulty transmission valve and solenoids. Vehicle was returned, but continues to have rough gear shifts and hesitation under heavy acceleration. Car is in the service center for a third time, as of now, without fix. In addition, the vehicle was also sent to the service center for suspension issues-- unusual noise when going over bumps, and noise when turning at slow speeds. Sway bar was replaced on initial inspection, but noise while turning persists. No fix as of this complaint.

2/11/2022

car navigation system is inaccurate. There is a severe lag in displaying where the car actually is located versus where the car is displayed on navigation. Navigation then places me in a location a mile or so away from where I am located and then reports that I am off road. The directions are inaccurate as navigation cannot locate my location accurately and in real time.

6/19/2024

The fuel tank collapsed, leading to the fuel indicator not presenting accurate fuel levels, which lead to the cars immediate shut down on the highway at high speeds. Resulting in us almost getting hit by other drivers at high speeds. As we were losing power the epc light and engine light came on, however nothing prior. After taking it to the VW service department, we were told this is a common issue and when they were first presented with it they contacted VW assistance and were given a test to perform to determine the integrity of the fuel tank.

12/4/2023

8/22/2023- CEL code P0456 - dealership replaced N80 valve and carbon canister. The dealership told the fault occurred because I was likely "topping off" my gas tank, which I have never done. 9/14/2023- CEL code P0456 - dealership detected leak, valve full of particles, replaced N80 valve and carbon canister. Again told me the issue was likely caused by "topping off" my fuel tank, which I have never done. 4/23/2024- CEL code P0456- dealership detected leak though did not replace valve or canister. Dealership performed a software update and cleared the code. 5/7/2024- CEL code P0456- dealership detected leak, noted charcoal in valve. Replaced N80 valve and carbon canister. Dealership contacted Volkswagen for further insight into the issue. VW informed dealership that I was likely "topping off" my tank, which I have never done.

8/31/2024

OUR ATLAS WILL RANDOMLY SLAM ON ITS BRAKES AS IF AVOIDING A COLLISION ON AN EMPTY ROAD. THE LANE ASSIST WILL ALSO STEER YOU TOWARDS OBSTACLES (LIKE CONSTRUCTION BARRELS) AND FIGHT AS YOUR TRY TO CORRECT ITS ERROR. ISSUES HAVE ALL OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION TRAVELING DOWN A 2 OR 4 LANE ROAD.

9/3/2020

WHEN USING VEHICLE REMOTE START THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS WITH ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ERROR NOT ALLOWING CRUISE CONTROL TO WORK OR DISABLES RANDOMLY WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO CAUSING FRONT ASSIST TO AVOID CRASH TO DISABLE.

10/1/2020

Here we go again, warning light for tires correctly inflated warning sign will not go away. This is third time this has been addressed, initially vehicle tires on sale were over inflated, second time similar issue, and now who knows until we get to service on Tuesday what we are going to find

8/25/2021

The Pirelli Scorpion All Season Zero tires that came factory equipped on my 2020 VW Cross Sport have experienced a sidewall failure on Drivers Side front. 35,000 miles on the vehicle and Tries Rotated as recomended. The tire sizes is 245/45r21. Driving on highway at 70 mph, with out any sensor warnings a messaged flashed on the dash of complete loss of tire pressue and in a split second the tire exploded. Thankfully I was able to pull the side safely. The sidewall of the tire completely seperated from the body. Dealer is selling me new tires but no offer to investigate.

3/14/2023

Drivers door wiring harness and control module malfunction. When this happens multiple MIL on dash display, windows roll down and emergency braking system applies the brakes by itself under 15 mph resulting in drastic unexpected deceleration. Luckily the car behind me was able to stop in time. Dealership indicates vehicle is safe to drive, no loaners available and parts are at least 3 month out.

3/13/2022

Adaptive cruise control (acc) will not work if you remote started the vehicle. To get it normally work, you have to fully switch off the car and then push start it. Had the vehicle checked by vw dealer and they found no problem, but the car won't engage cruise after remote start. After months of this; the remote start will not work. Carnet told me to wait on an update to be released soon.....it has been 10 months and same story every time I call. Dealer can't get it sorted even though they replaced Carnet module twice!

10/3/2022

August of 2023 the vehicle was taken to Charles Maund VW in Austin Texas due to the hood latch disconnecting/breaking under the hood. November of 2024, just outside the 1 yr warranty period, the hood latch again had become disconnected/broken under the hood. There is an obvious defect in the hood latch system and puts drivers at risk as the hood cannot be opened if needed possibly stranding a driver on the road with a non-functioning vehicle and no way to assess or repair the issue. Think low oil, overheating engine, no wiper fluid, fuse blown, no way to assess the issue.

12/11/2024

2020 Atlas Cross Sport- hood release cable snapped- known issue. Many complaints online. Needs a recall! Dangerous

10/6/2025

SEAT BELTS IN REAR LEFT SIDE DO NOT RETRACT, HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH THE SEAT BELTS BACK IN TO GET THEM TO WORK

10/24/2020

The contact owns 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle went into brake mode automatically. There was an unknown warning light that illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer. The failure was diagnosed as a door harness failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,974. The VIN was not available.

3/17/2022

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport equipped with Continental Tires: Tire Line: Cross Contact LX Sport, Tire Size: 245/60/R18, DOT Number: A383WC9V2920. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was vibration in the rear passenger’s side and there was a loud popping sound. The contact heard the sound of some object slapping the roadway. The contact stated that the low tire pressure warning light had illuminated seconds before the tire failed. The contact replaced the tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was taken to a tire dealer. The tire was diagnosed and it was confirmed that the tread had separated from the sidewall of the passenger’s side rear tire. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage for the vehicle and tire was 14,500.

8/8/2022

The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated with and without a passenger seated in the seat. Recently, the contact stated that the warning chime would continuously sound after an occupant had exited the passenger’s side seat. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that she needed a letter from the manufacturer before the vehicle could be inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

6/28/2023

About two months ago, all of sudden, all of the electronic safety features were going out as reported on the dash. ECS, Lane Assist, Forward/Rear Collission sensors, side detection sensors, parking assist, tire pressure sensors, Auto Start/Stop, and more. The fact that all of these electronic assist and safety features were all disabled made the care very dangerous and confusing to drive. Changing lanes for example became a safety hazard, backing up safety hazard, lane assist, safety hazard, side view sensors safety hazard, disabled ecs - safety hazard, etc. I took the vehicle into the dealership at 57K miles and under 4 years old only to find out there were no recalls issued, warranty expired at 50K miles and a $1600 repair/service bill. This issue should be investigated and, in my opinion, turned into a safety recall. There really is no reason a car less than 4 years old should have an electronic control problem withonly 57K miles other than poor design or poor manufacturing quality causing a safety problem. Dealer has confirmed it's due to the AWD Control Module, a Pump I believe, and corroded wire harness which comes with the pump, i'm told.

7/18/2024

About two months ago, all of sudden, all of the electronic safety features were going out as reported on the dash. ECS, Lane Assist, Forward/Rear Collission sensors, side detection sensors, parking assist, tire pressure sensors, Auto Start/Stop, and more. The fact that all of these electronic assist and safety features were all disabled made the care very dangerous and confusing to drive. Changing lanes for example became a safety hazard, backing up safety hazard, lane assist, safety hazard, side view sensors safety hazard, disabled ecs - safety hazard, etc. I took the vehicle into the dealership at 57K miles and under 4 years old only to find out there were no recalls issued, warranty expired at 50K miles and a $1600 repair/service bill. This issue should be investigated and, in my opinion, turned into a safety recall. There really is no reason a car less than 4 years old should have an electronic control problem withonly 57K miles other than poor design or poor manufacturing quality causing a safety problem. Dealer has confirmed it's due to the AWD Control Module, a Pump I believe, and corroded wire harness which comes with the pump, i'm told.

7/18/2024

Backup camera does not come on; cuts in and out; known recall for 2021 models.

8/8/2024

Daylight Running Lights (LED stripe) went out but in order to replace it, the whole headlight chassis need to be replaced because it’s embedded as part of the head light chassis instead of by replacing the LED running stripe alone. This needs to be part of recall to as it’s a safety issue without daylight running lights

11/5/2024