2019 Volkswagen Atlas: brake failure

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 Jun 27, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · VA

When starting the vehicle, the warning system will flash and display several errors, mainly "parking brake failure" and the light on the parking brake control will flash.Parking brake will disengage after several attempts and warning will go away. Problem started about 1 month ago and is becoming more persistant.

Filed May 30, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · UT

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle had a warning come up on the dashboard, the warning was as follows: “Brake Booster Faulty”. The brakes then felt like ABS was engaged (brake pedal pulsating) and the brakes fully engaged and took the car to a full and complete stop from 20 miles per hour. After turning the car off and back on the warning had gone away and we continued on. The warning then came on two additional times during the same trip and instead of stopping the car, the brakes would pulse and not work as well as should be expected. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Brakes did not work as expected and slammed themselves, had this occurred on the freeway that could have caused a pile up. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, but it has happened on multiple occasions and the dealer told us it was fixed previously. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Currently being inspected by the dealer. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? As noted the “Brake booster faulty” error flashes on the dashboard when this problem occurs.

Filed Mar 24, 2022 · Brakes, Visibility · 20,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver's and front passenger’s side window failed to operate as needed. The contact also stated that the parking brake failed to operate as designed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was not able to assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · DE

My 2019 VW Atlas with approx 23,000 miles on the odometer randomly initiated the emergency braking system while I was driving and the car forced itself to brake without warning. Only once the vehicle was turned off did the problem “reset”, releasing the emergency brake. Only for this problem to continue to happen on multiple occasions any time I slowed down or came to a stop. The tried to tell me the car was safe to drive. Thankfully no accident occurred. The following warnings were displayed: driver door contact switch, electronic parking brake failure, engine is running while idling. The front and back driver side windows were automatically rolling themselves half way down while the car was beeping that the door was open while I was driving, which the door was not. I have been told by the dealership that this is a known issue and the part to fix the problem is backordered and has no ETA. Meanwhile I am paying a lease payment on a vehicle I cannot drive that is sitting at Volkswagen with 11 other vehicles awaiting this part. I have filed a complaint with VW Corporate and have currently been without my Atlas for 52 days and counting. WHY is this not a recall yet.... definitely a safety issue.

Filed Mar 15, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

My 2019 VW Atlas with approx 29k on the odometer randomly initiated the emergency braking system while I was Highway driving and the car forced itself to brake without warning. I was unable to control the car at that point. Only once the vehicle was turned off did the problem “reset”. Thankfully no accident occurred, but the problem continued and the vehicle was towed to the dealership. The following warnings were displayed: driver door contact switch, electronic parking brake failure, park pilot error, engine is running while idling. The back windows were automatically rolling themselves half way down. I have been told by the dealership that this is a known issue and the part to fix the problem has no ETA.

Filed Nov 1, 2021 · Electrical · TX

While driving vehicle with my baby with me in heavy traffic area engine completely died when I came to a red light. Cars expected me to proceed on green light. No steering, no brakes, rear sensors went off and warning said Low 12V Battery. Tried to restart it to no avail. Engine would just click. 3 men had to put their hazards on and started pushing the VW Atlas to the nearest parking lot a ways off endangering the lives of these 3 men their vehicles and my baby and my own life. Took vehicle to get Battery and alternator tested, but all was “Perfectly fine”. I will not wait for a fatality in my family to happen. VW should recall or do something day IMMEDIATELY.