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2021 Volkswagen Atlas Brakes Problems

33 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

33
Complaints
1
Crashes
Jan 2026Dec 2023
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (33)

criticalSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Apr 2022

Several times while driving at 30-35 MPH, 3-4 times so far, the emergency brake will just suddenly slam the car to a halt with the emergency brake. Also, the warning lights, possibly for collision, will just go off for no reason at all. Very scary and very dangerous.

NHTSA #: 11459328
criticalSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
CrashFiled: Mar 2022

I was driving between 25-30 MPH at dusk. Suddenly a loud red warning appeared on the dashboard, and the car came to a screeching halt. I did not touch the brakes - it happened all on its own.

NHTSA #: 11458955
highSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Feb 2025

Brakes make a grinding noise like they are grinding metal on metal, thinking maybe the car I had gotten needed a break change prior to me getting went ahead and changed the breaks- still metal and metal sound. The brake pedal will go all the way in as if there is no brakes.

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NHTSA #: 11640180
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2025

Brakes with difficulty and makes noise time to time and braking is very uncomfortable. It seems like a struggle to break at each stop. Bought vehicle from Dublin VM, mentioned this after 1 day of purchase.

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NHTSA #: 11649852
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2024

After the vehicle has sat for a couple of hours, when I get in to drive and come to a complete stop, there’s a gurgling/swooshing water sound coming from the front brakes. I confirmed my pads and rotors are fine, but the functionality of the brakes appear to act up when the noise happens. I’ve seen this reported on numerous forums and this is a huge safety issue.

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NHTSA #: 11625155
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2024

Brakes had to be replaced at only 19,500 miles and now the car has 38,000 miles and they sound horrible again. The entire time I’ve had this car the brakes have made squealing and grinding noises. The VW dealer couldn’t access VW brakes last year due to shortage so put after market rotors on my car without my permission.

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NHTSA #: 11620785
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal fluttered while depressed. Additionally, the contact heard a loud grinding sound while depressing the brake pedal.

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NHTSA #: 11602370
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2024

I hear a loud grinding, metal-on-metal noise when braking or while driving. I also notice vibrations or pulsation in the pedal or steering wheel. Whenever the car sits for a period of time, about 90% of the time, the car will produce a massively loud metal-on-metal grind that can be felt in the brake pedal and steering wheel for the first 3 or so stops from 30mph or higher.

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NHTSA #: 11591863
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2024

yes when start the car and drive from 0-20 mph from the start you will hear a lound noise when applying the brake and now getting louder and louder everywhere you drive the vehicle. took it in the dealer 2-3 time and they are telling me is manufactures design. don't have this problem from day one I purchase the vehicle but now after 40k. miles start this problem specially brake, its scare me to drive the vehicle.. please, advise. Thank you..

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NHTSA #: 11576673
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2023

Since purchasing the car new, my brakes squeal and make a grinding noise. They don’t stop well and the noise doesn’t stop until I drive the car for a while. This happens every time I drive my vehicle. I have taken it to VW service and they say that it is normal for those kinds of brakes.

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NHTSA #: 11561753
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2023

A few weeks after we purchased the vehicle from the dealership, the brakes started making loud metallic noises and grinding. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where they replaced the brakes and then the issue occurred again just a few weeks after that repair. We continue to take the car back to the dealership and they now just keep telling us that there are no issues. I called Volkswagen directly and they sided with the dealer. At this point I have a vehicle that keeps having the same persistent issue. I did my own research and found that there are several other Atlas owners that are encountering the same issue in 2021+ models. This is a known issue and Volkswagen refuses to do anything about it. I have 2 kids and have do not feel confident in my cars brakes when they are in there.

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NHTSA #: 11557510
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2023

When the car is just started a horrible braking/grinding noise when trying to stop The brakes eventually stop grinding and starts making a screeching noise when coming to a stop It does feel safe at all Dealer states this is normal It is not normal for any car This happens daily

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NHTSA #: 11553995
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2023

I leased my VW ATLAS in Feb. 2021. Since then the vehicle has been in for service many times because the brakes squeak, grind and gurgle. They even had to replace the whole front end braking system in spring of 2022. Even with the replacement, the brakes are yet again squeaking, grinding and gurgling. The service department at VW has acknowledged that this is a problem with many Atlases and does not seem to care and has told me that they just make that noise and that the brakes are functional and pose no safety risk. This I am weary of.

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NHTSA #: 11551226
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Aug 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light, the brakes failed upon depression of the brake pedal, and the vehicle rolled to a stop. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and the ABS was replaced; however, the failure recurred soon after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was advised to file a claim with the manufacturer. The manufacturer denied the claim but offered her a buy back. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

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NHTSA #: 11540690
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jul 2023

Within a week of our purchase of a brand new atlas, we started hearing squeaking and grinding noises with the front brakes. I’ve taken it into multiple dealerships for them to inspect and ensure the safety, and I’ll have given me the same spiel, that the brakes are working just fine. The grinding noise is clearly beyond normal and I’m concerned for my family safety.

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NHTSA #: 11531086
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2023

The brakes make a deep grinding sound every 4000-8000 miles. A typical sound of failing brakes. When I took the vehicle into the dealership they let me know they have a defective brake pad system. When they changed the compound in 2019/2020 this has been an issue. The pads are showing in good acceptable range. However when driving the vehicle you do not know if it is safe or not unless you take the vehicle in to make sure l. Again every 4000-8000 miles. I do not see how they are able to sell you a car with a known issue and not disclose this. This should be covered or recalled. It absolutely is a safety issue when you cannot tell if your brakes are working properly! They are telling me they see 4-5 people a week with the same issue. How is this not being recalled!

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NHTSA #: 11529687
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2023

We just purchased a certified pre-owned vehicle from the dealership. Since we've had the vehicle, it produces a loud squeaking sound when braking. We took it to a brake shop and were advised the rear brakes get so hot and are glazed over and need to replace the rotors.

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NHTSA #: 11514028
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2022

The front brake rotors on this VW model are faulty and unsafe from the factory and need to be recalled. They warp and squeal, and the issue seems to be starting at about 4 months. The brake rotors warp between 4-6 months and the front brakes start to vibrate when driving at 65 MPH or more.

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NHTSA #: 11491172
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2022

The brakes make loud squealing and grinding noises and don’t feel like they are properly functioning when attempting to stop. I rolled through a stop sign when they were grinding loudly last week because the brakes would not engage. I immediately scheduled to have it diganosed again.

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NHTSA #: 11487219
mediumPARKING BRAKE,AIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V152000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available.

NHTSA #: 11486349
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2022

The contact leased a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer due to the brake service warning light being illuminated and scheduled maintenance. The maintenance was performed; however, the mechanic could not determine the cause of the failure.

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NHTSA #: 11485171
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2022

Brakes are making loud squeaking and grinding noises when brake is applied at low speeds. It feels like the entire braking system is about to fall apart. Took the vehicle to the Volkswagen dealership and they said Volkswagen brakes are know to make noise.

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NHTSA #: 11483920
mediumPARKING BRAKE
Filed: May 2022

The emergency brake randomly turns on when starting the Atlas, the brakes will automatically brake at very low speeds, the windows randomly role down and/or will not be able to roll up, the car shuts off randomly after coming to a stop (I need to push the start button to start it again), the Atlas will begin to drift after shutting off.

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NHTSA #: 11464322
mediumPARKING BRAKE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the parking brakes and alarms illuminated on the instrument panel. The driver’s and rear passenger’s side windows rolled up and down independently.

NHTSA #: 11457331
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Mar 2022

We have 2021 Atlas purchased Nov. 2020 the AEB and parking collision sensors and system engage at random times while driving. The most recent incident was while parking the car 3/13/22 there were no cars in the parking lot and while turning into the lot and parking spot the AEB engaged and stopped the car completely this is not only unnecessary but while having kids in the car I was left to look around and be like what just happened. Finally parking the car the car was not near the curb on the front nor the side. This happens while driving and I would hate for it to happen on a freeway in rush hour traffic. Because of this feature defaulting like it has for the past months I know take surface streets on the way home from work. When taking the vehicle to the dealership they are dumbfounded have ran test and state there is nothing they can do- They are aware of the issue but its one of those things that "you had to be there" to experience what I am talking about. When i run the Car Net app - there are no recalls or updates or known issues with my vehicle. Yes the car is available for inspection. I would say in the past year this has happened 7-10 times. This feature is great when you need it or when it is supposed to work but at times when it is not needed puts our safety at risk.

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NHTSA #: 11457034
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2022

While driving at highway speeds at random the vehicle would brake on its own engage the parking brake and roll windows down. We tried to have the vehicle looked at Boise Volkswagen and they refused to schedule and inspect the vehicle. We even advised the dealer of an open safety campaign/recall and they also still refused to service the vehicle. Unfortunately next closest dealership is 157 miles away from our home.

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NHTSA #: 11456965
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2022

Check engine came on. As the vehicle came to slow speed (under 5mph) the parking brake automatically engages causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop causing a dangerous situation. Car is currently at dealer for over a month. VW is unable to get part to fix problem.

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NHTSA #: 11456989
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2022

While driving the vehicle the parking brake engaged by itself causing the car to come to a sudden stop while driving on a main road. This proceeded to happen two more times while I tried to get off main road. before the parking brake couldn’t be shut off any longer and car had to be towed. I was told by dealer this is due to an issue with the door module telling the car the door opened causing the parking brake to engage. This is a known issue with the dealers and a huge safety issue yet there is no recall. An addition, the car had stalled approximately 10x at traffic lights during the first 2 months I had it while the automatic stop and start system is activated. I keep that off to avoid the issue from happening. I have spoken to several other Volkswagon owners that say it is a common problem.

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NHTSA #: 11455904
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Mar 2022

The driver side door contact switch is faulty. It is throwing the emergency braking system on stopped or in park. There is no ETA for repair at this time.

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NHTSA #: 11455549
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Feb 2022

Starting in November, a series of alarms would go off on the dashboard on the engine, lane assist, collision warnings, etc. As the problem progressed, the windows would go down automatically, and in the most severe instances, the car would engage the emergency park brake while coming to a stop!!! This happened more and more frequently to the point the car became undrivable as you awaited the car engaging the emergency parking brake while coming to a stop!!!! The car has been at the dealership since 11/22/21 as the door control wiring harness is on backorder. Someone will get hurt if this goes unrepaired.

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NHTSA #: 11452036
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jan 2022

Due to faulty driver side wiring harness the computer system on the vehicle will engage the automatic parking break while driving. In addition windows open randomly and vehicle displays a variety of warnings on the dash indicating that the engine is running and that the door sensor is malfunctioning.

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NHTSA #: 11448603
lowSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jan 2026

Brake booster system failed, which results in spongy brake pedal with significant reduction in braking force. Problem has been seen by my entire family and me, a mechanic. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, insurance or police since the issue arose .

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NHTSA #: 11709844
lowSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2022

No notice engagement of E-Brake at stops and twice at speeds between 3-5 MPH while accelerating.

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NHTSA #: 11458574

Other 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Issues