2021 Volkswagen Atlas: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Body · IL

On different occasion the driver side door hinge will lock and not allow the door to close completely. I have been driving and the door will open and I have to hold it "closed" while driving. Currently my drivers side door will not open when I unlock the doors I have to climb through the passengers side or the back seat in order to open my drivers side door. This has happened on three separate occasions- my door not closing all the way. It is a hazard when driving and suddenly my vehicle does a drastic stop asking I put the vehicle in park because it assumes I opened the door manually.

Filed May 4, 2022 · Airbags, Engine · 15,150 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V152000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical issues. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the warning messages "Automatic Start/Stop Is Not Available", " Lane Assist Is Not Currently Available”, “Faulty Electronic parking Brake" "Door Is Ajar Fault" and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the front driver's side window was inoperative and the rear driver's side window would continuously roll up and down independently while driving. Additionally, the contact stated while coming to a stop, between 1-2 MPH, the parking brake would engage independently, causing the vehicle to jolt. The contact had to disengage the parking brake each time. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver's side door lock chime reminder would engage while driving with the door locked. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to not drive the vehicle. However, the manufacturer provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,150. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Mar 31, 2022 · Brakes, Locks · 8,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes erroneously engaged nearly causing a crash. Additionally, the door locks would randomly unlatch and the driver’s side window would erroneously roll down. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 8,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · 9,200 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the door latch light and the air bag warning light illuminated. Later while driving approximately 30 MPH, the door contact sensor illuminated. Additionally, the rear and front driver’s side windows rolled down independently. The failure persisted. The contact stated that the Emergency Automatic Braking system activated inadvertently and slowed the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was not diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,200.

Filed Mar 24, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · VA

On 3/14/22 took my car in to the dealership with the following problems, window opening on their own car braking on its own at low speed, driver door functions not working and a bunch of warning lights coming on. Took my car out the same day and was working fine until 3/23/22 when all the problems i mentioned above started happening again. On the first visit the tech replaced the door latch for the driver front door cleared codes and rechecked. The tech also found 3 error codes U105400: information electronics control module 1 no communications U019900: Lost communications with " door control module A" B177501: Door warning light/entry light electrical error.

Filed Mar 18, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

After starting the car and trying to reverse, the car would not go into reverse. In addition all warning on the dashboard went off and the windows rolled down. The car would not move. After shutting down and restarting the car it proceeded to accelerate only to suddenly brake in the middle of the road as if the emergency brake was activated. The windows would roll down again and all the warning signs on the dash would appear. I took my car to the dealer and I was told that it was the door latch and there was no Estimated amount of time for completition. This has been 4 weeks now. I have had my car for only 6 months.

Filed Feb 24, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · PA

Due to a malfunctioning driver door wire harness, multiple errors occur, including a electric parking brake issue. This causes the vehicles parking brake to engage while in coming to a stop but still in motion. This does cause the vehicles abruptly come to a stop. Additionally the wire harness malfunction has caused an issue with the driver side door locking function and driver side windows. Often times the driver side door does not lock when in drive and in motion, as well as trying to lock using the key fob and in park. The driver side windows randomly lower 3-4 inches, when driving as well. I am especially concerned with the parking brake, there have been a few occasions where I have almost been hit from the rear due to the abrupt stop. I have taken the car in to the dealership and have been told the part is not available and they have multiple vehicles waiting over two months for the part. Here is a link with others that have the same issue. https://www.vwatlasforum.com/threads/error-driver-door-contact-switch.6359/

Filed Feb 15, 2022 · Brakes · NY

There were multiple incidents where the windows would roll down and the error came on state "Driver Side Contact Error", once where the driver side door would not open, I had to crawl out the passenger side, and multiple times when the parking brake would not disengage. All of these issues have been said to be the drivers side harness kit, no rhyme or reason and lights and errors would go off after each incident. The main safety concern caused be this is when i was driving down a hill coming to a red light, i was reducing speed but was not stopped and the parking brake engaged on its own. I came to a dead stop in the middle of the road, luckily no cars behind me and on a clear road, the dash lit up with multiple errors but all disappeared before i a could write them all down. The dealership where my car current is has stated there is a parts bulletin out on this part causing all these issues with the door harness kit, but no recall. They also could not guarantee that my parking brake would not engage again while the car was in drive, but did not want to offer me a rental car because Volkswagen doesn't consider it a "Safety issue". I know there are 5 other vehicles at the dealership with the same issue as mine (as of January 10th). This is happening in brand new cars, my car is a 2021 and have not even owned it a year.

Filed Feb 6, 2022 · Electrical · SC

While driving 35mph then coming to a stop, the car automatically engages the parking brake. When this occurs it also notes that I am on a hill… which is incorrect. This causes me to fully shut of the car in traffic and restart the engine. While this occurs the driver door lock engages and flash red.

Filed Jan 12, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NY

Purchased the car in April 2021. After 230 miles of driving remote start stopped working. VW service center diagnosed faulty soldering on fuel pump and replaced it. In December 2021 both passenger side windows started opening on their own while in park and driving. Shortly started getting error message from proximity sensors, adaptive cruise control and finally brakes with service engine message. Brought to VW service center and got diagnosed with faulty door harness. Service technician informed me that they had 20+ cars with similar issue and shortage of parts. Ultimately I was told vehicle is not safe to drive, due to car identifying door as open and shutting off engine mid-driving. Harness replaced, not the trunk is opening in park and windows are still opening by themselves. Sent the vehicle to service center by tow truck, applied for lemon law replacement and VW corporate. This should be heading to recall to prevent driving accidents. VW corporate is very hard to contact and follow-up is very poor. Other vehicle issues: Low coolant level, faulty door lock on passenger door.