2020 Volkswagen Atlas Steering Problems

Your steering wheel became difficult to turn while driving, your hazard lights came on, and then the steering wheel completely seized up. A mechanic diagnosed this as a failure of your rack and pinion—the component that converts the steering wheel's rotation into side-to-side movement. This issue happened at around 78,000 miles and requires replacing the entire rack and pinion assembly to restore steering control.

Your vehicle's electric power steering rack has failed repeatedly—it's been replaced 3 times, and each failure included creaking in the front suspension and clunking in the steering. You've also experienced a separate problem where faulty door harness wiring caused the autonomous emergency braking to activate unexpectedly in traffic. VW has denied your warranty extension request even though they previously extended coverage for other issues on this vehicle and your previous Atlas. The steering rack likely needs replacement again, which may involve removing the front suspension components to access and swap out the entire steering rack assembly.

Your steering gear feels loose and makes noise while driving, and your steering wheel shakes and vibrates. After several hours, your forward collision warning light came on along with the cruise control light. The dealer says your steering gear needs to be replaced and the forward collision system needs to be recalibrated, which costs around $3,000. You may not feel safe driving at highway speeds until this is fixed.

Your steering wheel rattles and fights to straighten itself when you turn at low speeds, creating a collision hazard. Your GPS malfunctions and gives incorrect directions, and the problem transfers to your phone's maps when connected via CarPlay—but stops on your phone once unplugged. Your heater doesn't work properly until the temperature setting reaches about 80 degrees, with rear vents blowing hot air while front vents stay cold. All three issues started after a module was replaced in early March 2024. A technician will likely need to diagnose the module replacement work and may need to recalibrate or reprogram electrical systems related to steering, navigation, and climate control.

MY 2020 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL 2020 WITH GREAT HOPES...WE'VE BEEN LOYAL VW CUSTOMERS AND HAVE OWNED 2 OTHER VW VEHICLES PRIOR. ISSUES BEGAN MID-AUG 2020, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND WE BEGAN HEARING A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL AND BEGAN SMELLING A BURNT ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AT THIS TIME, THE VW SHOP DID THE FOLLOWING: THE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL STEERING WAS REPLACED AND THE ACF VALVE WAS REMOVED & REPLACED. ISSUE PERSISTED. WENT BACK IN LATE AUG 2020 FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS BEFORE; VW SHOP REMOVED AND REINSTALLED THE ACF FILTER ONCE MORE. RATTLING WASN'T ADDRESSED. TAKEN AGAIN TO THE SHOP OCT 2020 FOR RATTLING IN UNDERCARRIAGE, AND THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD THE SWAY BARS WERE CAUSING THE RATTLING NOISE. THOSE WERE REPLACED AND THE RATTLING NOISE SUBSIDED. FORWARD TO BEGINNING OF NOV 2020, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON; SHOP KEEPS THE VEHICLE FOR 13 DAYS, REMOVES AND REINSTALLS AIRBAG SENSOR. TWO DAYS AFTER WE RECEIVE OUR VEHICLE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON AGAIN. SHOP KEEPS OUR VEHICLE FOR 63 DAYS, REMOVES AND INSTALLS THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS. BY END OF FEB 2021, AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN; SHOP UPDATES THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. WE HAVE NOT HAD AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON AFTER THIS MOST RECENT REPAIR, BUT WE ARE NOW EXPERIENCING BRAKE SENSOR ISSUES: WE HAVE HAD A 'APPLY THE BRAKES' ALERT COME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AS WELL AS A 'FRONT COLLISION WARNING' COME ON WHILE THERE ARE NO OTHER VEHICLES REMOTELY CLOSE TO US AT THE TIME. OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.