. Brake Master Cylinder Failure: The brake pedal feels soft and spongy and produces hydraulic groaning noises, indicating a failure of the master brake cylinder consistent with the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑723. The dealership has declined to replace it. 2. Suspension Defect and Improper Repair: The vehicle exhibits premature and abnormal tire wear due to faulty suspension components. Although Recall 42HX mandates the replacement of affected suspension bolts, the dealership merely retightened existing hardware. 3. Water Leak and Airbag Wiring Hazard: Water is leaking into the cabin on the passenger side through the sun visor headliner. This threatens the Passenger Occupant Detection System wiring harness and airbag deployment electronics, risking deactivation of the passenger airbag. Furthermore, the dealership declined requests for a suitable loaner or rental vehicle, offering only an Uber ride home. Given that my spouse and I are mobilitydisabled individuals traveling with a working service animal, this refusal to provide adequate transportation obstructs our ability to safely obtain service under the warranty. I am exploring all legal remedies, including those under the SongBeverly Consumer Warranty Act.
Volkswagen Atlas spongy pedal problems
16 of the 2,039 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Atlas describe soft or spongy brake pedal, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 16
- worst model year
- 2018
By model year
What owners say
am filing a complaint regarding my 2024 Volkswagen due to ongoing safety concerns and the dealership’s refusal to properly address them under warranty. Since early ownership, I have experienced abnormal brake behavior (including a “spongy” or inconsistent pedal feel) and suspension-related issues. At under 16,000 miles, the vehicle has already shown irregular tire wear (feathering), which indicates a potential alignment or suspension defect. These issues raise serious safety concerns, particularly regarding braking reliability and vehicle stability. Despite multiple visits, the dealership has repeatedly stated that “no issues were found,” while simultaneously recommending services such as wheel alignment at my expense. This is contradictory, as the premature tire wear and drivability concerns suggest an underlying defect that should be covered under warranty. Additionally, there is a known recall involving similar models for brake system components (master cylinder), yet my VIN was excluded despite exhibiting similar symptoms. The dealership has not made a good-faith effort to investigate whether my vehicle is affected by a related defect. I believe the dealership is avoiding warranty responsibility by minimizing or dismissing legitimate safety concerns. I am requesting that this matter be formally investigated, including potential defects in the braking and suspension systems, and whether this vehicle should be covered under recall or warranty provisions. This situation presents a potential safety risk not only to myself and my family but also to others on the road.
The brakes on the vehicle are spongy and have to be depressed much more than normal for it to be applied. There is a brake system recall by VW but my vehicle is not part of the recall list. However I am experiencing the same symptoms as what's listed in the recall reasons.
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 . Brake lamp illuminated and message on dash saying faulty brake booster. Both appeared a few weeks ago.
Car starts beeping loudly and a “brake booster faulty” alarm pops up on the screen. Brakes become spongy during alarm and a little after. Issue has happened multiple times and has gone to the dealer multiple times for parts replacement/work. Other VW owners have complained of the same issue happening to them.
I have had the same issue with this car since I’ve bought it when. The issue is that often my dash beeps and says faulty break booster and then my breaks lock up and become spongy and the vehicle has issues breaking. Very scary and very dangerous. Then the “break” warning indicator light illuminates and the vehicle eventually resets itself and goes back to normal functioning. My vehicle has been at the dealer at least four times during the warranty period for this exact same problem. It has also been there for a recall for rattling noises, air hissing out of gas tank when gas cap is unscrewed, and air conditioner going out. My car is currently in shop again for FAULTY BREAK BOOSTER. Others are having this same problem all over the internet. I want VW to honor me a manufacture buyback which I have already initiated the process for as my car meets the Louisiana Lemon Law Criteria’s. I want VW to fix these problems on this model for future consumers as well. I have submitted all of my supporting documents to VWGOA
I would be driving under 30mph and would get a warning on my dashboard that would say "Brake Booster Faulty", in addition the "Brake" light would illuminate and my brakes would become spongy and harder to engage.
While driving on the highway, a warning flashed on the dashboard- FAULTY BRAKE BOOSTER. The pressure of the brake pedal was significantly diminished and was accompanied by a clicking sound. The red brake warning light illuminated. After 5 minutes, proper brake functioning was restored. Within a period of 20 minutes, the above sequence of events was repeated 3 times. After stopping and parking, the warning light went out. Upon start up later in the day, the same Faulty Brake Booster warning sounded and the brakes again were spongy and choppy. The following day, when driving to the VW dealership, the same message flashed on the dash multiple times and brake functioning was impaired.
Suddenly Warning lights illuminate- Brake Booster Faulty, Start Error, ABS. Brakes then feel spongy, jerky hard to slow down and stop safely. Vehicle then needs to be towed to dealership for repair - vacum sensor C10A301 replaced. This has happened three times 4/22/21, 8/5/21 and 6/7/23. Dealership claims to need the part for refund from VW for warranty repair. This is a dangerous situation and needs to be remedied, especially as this is a family car.
At random time, during slower speeds, many vehicle would “jerk” mad produce a Brake Booster Faulty warning and the brake light would illuminate on the console. The brakes would then become “spongy” and difficult to operate. The light would stay in, or turn off after a while and driving would resume as normal. Difficult to replicate but scary how random it is.
Related recalls
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.) of affected vehicles may not have been correctly tightened during the manufacturing process.
- Risk
- A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42HX.
Recall number 25V434000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been assembled with an incorrect secondary piston spring retainer, which can block the brake fluid port.
- Risk
- An obstructed brake fluid port can cause a loss of brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2024. Additionally, vehicles that were added to the population on November 21, 2024, their letters were mailed on December 2, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen Customer Relations at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 471F.
Recall number 24V723000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 model year Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Certain brake lines may leak at the threaded connections.
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak may increase the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 23, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47T2.
Recall number 22V718000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
- Risk
- The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.
Recall number 18V536000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
- Risk
- A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298 and Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
Recall number 18V369000 · Recall details
Questions about the Volkswagen Atlas spongy pedal
Which Volkswagen Atlas years have soft or spongy brake pedal problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (6 complaints), 2019 (6 complaints) and 2024 (3 complaints).
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