Check a VIN

2019 Volkswagen Atlas brakes problems

79 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 5,800. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
79
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
5,800
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Conventional
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Atlas brakes problems in other years

201820192020202120222023202420252026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Grinding brakes 17ABS 13Phantom braking 10Brake failure 7Spongy pedal 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2019 Volkswagen Atlas owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · WI

Multiple occurrences where forward collision warning goes off with no vehicles Incident 1. 5/15/2026 Road: Highway I-94 Weather: Clear and sunny Condition: Cruise control on, light traffic, nearest vehicle at least 4 cars in front, 2 vehicles behind and to the right (fast lane), driving in the middle left lane. Forward collision warning went off and took cruise control off. No vehicles stopping in front of me. Incident 2. 6/3/2026 Road: Urban side streets Weather: Clear and sunny Condition: Coasting towards a roundabout approximately 200' from the intersection, no vehicle in front, no vehicle behind, no animals, people or objects on the road. Forward Collision Warning went off under no threat of collsion. Incident 3: 6/14/2026 Road: 2 lane urban road. Weather: Dusk, clear, no rain, Condition: paved road, no animals, no vehicle in front, vehicle behind, approaching an intersection, coasting (light was yellow) towards intersection. , evening dusk, clear no rain, no precipitate, clear roads. Fwd. Collision warning went off, going straight.

Filed May 6, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · SC

We purchased a 2019 Atlas in 2020 and recently had to take it to the dealership in [XXX] multiple times with no answers as to why the steering is shaking and the car vibrating at speeds over 50 mph. Apparently according to this complaint link, [XXX] it is very common and consumers have had the same poor response from their dealerships to fix this safety concern. I got a quite (PARTS ONLY) for $1181.85 and feel there is no way we are responsible for this cost to resolve an Atlas safety issue after expressing concern over and over and over again. File attached for your review. We have an impeccable driving record, have not had any accidents and take pride in our vehicle ownership. However, this experience over the past 8 months has been nothing but a nuisance and we are highly concerned for the safety of our family while driving the 2019 Atlas. Please review and contact us to resolve this matter at your earliest convenience. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

Component Failed: ABS Braking System / Wiring Harness. Safety Risk: While driving at highway speeds with my service animal, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic ABS failure. The brakes became unresponsive, and the dashboard displayed multiple critical safety warnings, nearly resulting in a collision. Confirmation: The failure was confirmed by Schumacher VW (West Palm Beach) during a forensic inspection. They identified the cause as a corroded/damaged wiring harness—the exact defect visible in a diagnostic video from Jim Ellis VW one week prior. Warning Symptoms: "Front Assist" and sensor warning lamps appeared on [XXX]. I paid Jim Ellis VW for a diagnostic; however, they failed to repair the visible defect and later falsely denied to the BBB that the diagnostic ever occurred. Summary: This vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ) has a documented safety defect that was identified by a technician but concealed by dealership management. This concealment led to a total loss of braking assist while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle is currently available for inspection at Schumacher VW. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

I am reporting a critical safety failure of the ABS wiring harness following service at Jim Ellis Volkswagen. I originally brought the vehicle in for a "Front Assist" safety light diagnostic. Immediately following the service, the ABS wiring harness failed, disabling my braking safety systems. The dealership is currently withholding the diagnostic report and technician notes that would confirm the state of the wiring harness during their inspection. This failure has rendered the vehicle undriveable and creates a severe safety risk to the driver and public.

Filed Jul 7, 2025 · Brakes · SC

Brake booster faulty, alert continuously came on and off while driving at different speeds created drastic changes in cars braking ability that were potentially hazardous if driver did not pull over.

Filed Apr 7, 2025 · Brakes, Fuel system · NY

Driving at constant speed on highway, vehicle either loses acceleration and / or applies brake for short moment. Tapping the accelerator appears allow the vehicle to resume to initial intended speed. Automatic braking, not intended by the driver is a safety risk for both this and adjacent drivers. The problem has been reproduced by a dealer service center. No other agencies have inspected the vehicle's problem. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms evident. Dealer has had the vehicle to two weeks and has not provided a viable resolution.

Filed Sep 27, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · AL

While approaching an intersection at about 20 mph, vehicle suddenly applied the front collision braking and almost caused an accident from the vehicle behind me. There were no vehicles in front of me or any other obstacles. Other 2019 models have been recalled with he same issue for a harness wiring or software update. This is dangerous and risks my family's life.

Filed Apr 22, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

The ABS or AES malfunctioned while driving. The brakes were automatically applied, without warning, with a medium amount of traffic and vehicles behind me. This poses a significant safety issue to myself and others when the brakes get applied without warning. A vehicle behind me had to swerve to avoid rear-ending me and others had to go around me on an onramp to the highway. I am taking my vehicle to Volkswagen of Waco today to have this issue looked at. I am also looking into a dashcam to see if I can get the issue on camera in case the dealership isn't able to duplicate the issue. This issue has occurred other times, this has not been an isolated incident. I do get a faulty brake booster light while the vehicle is braking so there is no warning before it happens, just me flying into my steering wheel.

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Brakes · CO

While driving approx 20MPH while turning a corner in a neighborhood, the FAULT BRAKE BOOSTER warning went off and braked my vehicle. The car continued to flash this warning and the brakes were not easily depressed (felt somewhat like when ABS happens in icy roads). This happened multiple times until I could get home.Took the vehicle to VW dealer and they replaced a sensor. 3 weeks later the same warning and braking situation happened while in a parking lot. Returned to dealer and still being evaluated. Online, this is a recall for 2019 Atlas' but not for my VIN. Concerned this should be included in a recall. Worried for my safety as this has happened multiple times including after repair and causes the car brakes to go automatically and unexpectedly.

Filed Jan 31, 2024 · Airbags, Brakes · NJ

Electronic Brake keeps activating on its own. Passenger airbag warning light goes off when no one is in the seat.

Questions about the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas brakes

Does the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 79 complaints about the brakes of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2019 Volkswagen Atlas brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 5,800 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas brakes?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volkswagen Atlas have bad brakes?

The Volkswagen Atlas model years with the most brakes complaints are 2021 (98 complaints), 2019 (79 complaints) and 2018 (75 complaints).

Other 2019 Volkswagen Atlas problems

Airbags 142Driver assistance 84Electrical 76Engine 61Steering 40Fuel system 36Transmission 34Suspension 18Acceleration 14Wheels 11Visibility 10Seat belts 9Seats 8Body 7Tires 4Lights 2Locks 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history