Nearly 50 VW Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport owners have complained to federal safety regulators about cases of unintended braking by their new sport-utility vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now investigating 2020 and 2021 models regarding the issue. Volkswagen says it’s cooperating with investigators, but hasn’t moved to recall any of those vehicles.
“VW is aware of concerns involving faulty door wiring harnesses in certain Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles,” the company told the Associated Press. “We are working closely with NHTSA regarding the next steps towards identifying the affected vehicles.”
The company sold more than 200,000 of the vehicles.
Possessed by a braking demon
One complaint said, “it literally feels like the car is possessed.”
Other owners complain of not only the automatic emergency braking system activating, but also the vehicle’s parking brake automatically being activated.
“The car beeps nonstop while the brakes are applied and the car is at a complete stop. The parking brake also engages when the brakes are applied, making it very unsafe to drive,” wrote one Chicago-area vehicle owner, in a complaint filed in February.
Some point to door harness
“When I called the dealership to schedule an inspection, they reported that they don’t need to inspect the car because they know exactly which part is causing the problem, and ordered me the part,” they wrote.
‘However the part is on back order, so I’ve had to drive the car in this condition, as they will not put me in a rental. The dealership has Informed me there is nothing else they can do, and Volkswagen customer care will not respond to my requests to discuss.”
Several owners said when they contacted dealers about their issue, they weren’t surprised. Perhaps more importantly, they weren’t happy.
“I have a faulty Door harness that causes the vehicle to think they the door is open, when it is not. Because the car thinks the door is open, the E brake engages while driving and a loud beeping ensues,” they wrote.
“Several sensors also start flashing like check engine, start/stop system failure, check oil, etc. the part is back ordered with no ETA and VW don’t do a recall because they don’t want to be on the hook for all of these cars. A quick Google search will show you that this is a widespread safety issue that is being ignored.”
