2022 Volkswagen Atlas

Began getting front end collision alerts and unexpected automatic emergency braking shortly after purchase. Unexpected braking, slowing/stopping of the vehicle is a safety hazard. Returned car to VW dealer in Irvine, CA in Feb 2023 and July 2023. Explained this was safety issue concern. The dealer claimed the issue was from damaged front bumper sensors from debris or other impacts, though the car is only operated normally on So. Cal. roads and freeways. Dealer also claimed that small windshield chips were causing the sensors and front collision system to malfunction. We stated that these safety related components should withstand more than a few months of normal driving and the warnings/unintended braking presented a safety hazard to us and other drivers. I told the dealer the issue is not the sensors, but likely a bigger underlying problem with the system’s programing or software. The dealer insisted the sensors and windshield were the issue. Knowing it was unlikely the sensors, I requested the dealer provide me with the original sensors for future inspection. Both dealer and VW initially refused to cover any “repairs.” Once mentioned contacting DOT ODI, VW offered to pay for labor of the sensors if we purchased the 3 required ($661.48). Dealer said we would need to pay for the windshield ($789.89) and installation ($250.00)and they would cover cost of calibrating the windshield sensors. Total out of pocked $1,701.37. Told them I wanted just to do the sensors first to see if that alone would solve the problem. They said if we did not purchase the windshield at that time, if we needed it afterwards, they would charge an additional $450 for calibration. Once the work was complete we picked up the car on [XXX]. On [XXX] the car again started to experience the same false front collision warnings. The dealer only advised to return car for a third time for the same issue. This serious issue needs to be corrected in the interest of driver safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOI

Vehicle 2 hrs after purchased start/stop failure notice came on. Vehicle died without emergency brakes or any brake system at all take place in middle of the road. Took to the dealer where it was purchased from immediately-4 days later “repaired” replaced a valve stating a flap wasn’t closing correctly. 3 weeks later out of state same thing happened 3 different times traveling 70 mph on the way back to our home, only this time we had cars swerving behind us to avoid hitting us as we were in middle lane, immediately I threw on the flashers while driver was attempting to place it in park when the gear shift stuck same error all 3 times start/stop fail only this time the check engine light came on as well as the start stop error light on the dash and permanently stayed on until we could get to the dealership where we purchased it- vehicle stalled again the same way only this time attempting to park vehicle to check in for inspection

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance system was malfunctioning. The contact stated while driving 30-45 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light illuminated while there were no vehicles or objects nearby. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the Forward Collision Avoidance system could have been triggered by significantly small objects and was operating as designed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. Additionally, the contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image displayed, then disappeared. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic tests; however, the dealer failed to update the contact for two weeks. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that they were waiting for an engineer to provide the next steps going forward. The failure mileage was unknown.

Emergency braking system was activated on 15 FWY, traveling north just south of Magnolia (33.8652148,-117.5413564) No vehicle or objects were in front of me. I was in the far left lane traveling at freeway speeds for over 2 miles before the emergency braking system was activated. The vehicle traveling behind me was able to maneuver into the other lane to avoid hitting me. I took the vehicle to the dealership and the indicate the logs only shows the warning was activated, but do not show the vehicle applied the brakes. This is the 3rd instance of this happening. I also have had 2 legit instance where someone cut me off and the emergency braking system activated as design to avoid the collision. VW states these entries are not in the logs. This indicates there has to be an issue with the software. I am also experiencing false positives on the other sensors in the system, the system indicate a vehicle or object is on the side of the vehicle, I have videos showing the sensors are falsely altering.

The automatic emergency braking is engaged when when it should not. This happens while traveling at highway speeds, I have been lucky the 4x it is has happened that no one was behind and I was able to override and safely continue on my way. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they stated that there are no entries in the system log indicating any automatic emergency braking. This is very concerning, since I have had 2 incidents where the emergency braking was activated when it was supposed to. These are not in the logs either. I am also experiencing issues with the blind spot warning sensors too. I have video proof of a false alarm. The dealer said VW will not allow them to fix a vehicle with video proof. There appears to be an issue with the sensor system in the vehicle since the blind spot sensors is falsely alerting and the forward collision sensors are initiating the automatic emergency braking system. Volkswagen Customer CARE # 05487060

Two separate instances. The first: emergency break engaged for no reason while in driveway at a low speed. It jolted the car back and I had to put car in Park and then drive again. If this happened while anywhere else, it could cause an accident by being rear ended or a tail spin. Second incident: driving on interstate the forward collision warning symbol came on in red in addition to a red exclamation point. We were driving around 65mph with cars around us. The warning came on seemingly out of nowhere and then was gone several minutes later. There was no reason for this to occur. These issues are a major safety concern and we do not feel safe driving our brand new Atlas at this time.