There are 15 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sportin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I own a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport with approximately 34,000 miles, purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. The brakes make an extremely loud, metal-on-metal screeching noise when driving slowly, reversing or driving on hills. The sound is harsh and high-pitched, resembling worn-out or defective brake pads or rotors. I brought the issue to a VW dealership, and they confirmed the noise but claimed it is “normal” and offered no repair. The sound is consistent and worsens on incline. This issue raises serious safety concerns, including potential brake system wear/failure or lack of effective stopping power in certain conditions. After researching, I discovered many other VW Atlas and Cross Sport owners are reporting the same problem across model years 2020–2023. Some have resorted to replacing OEM brake parts with aftermarket components to resolve the issue. I believe this may be a design or materials defect affecting a large number of vehicles. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this issue for potential safety implications and consider whether a recall or technical service bulletin is necessary.
A loud squeaky noise come from the brakes. When I took it to Volkswagen. They said there’s an issue with the brakes that was installed by the manufacturer however, they will not fix it because there is no recall. They said that the brakes that’s the factory installed has something has copper in it and that’s causing the issue. I have another friend with the same make and model of the car and suffering from the same issue. My concern is it just a loud noise or is it a safety issue because of the brakes?
I purchased this car new in 2021. Shortly after purchase, the brakes start grinding / squealing very badly. This is an intermittent problem. On multiple occasions, it has startled me so badly that I let up on the brake. This almost caused me to hit the vehicle in front of me. Volkswagen has been unresponsive to dealer's request for a solution. When looking online, it apparently the construction of the brake pads that causes the issue. Ceramic brake pads do not have this same issue. However, Volkswagen will not authorize a payment to replace the OEM brake pads with ceramic pads.
Since I purchased the vehicle the brakes sound like they are bad, yet they are not bad. I was told at Volkswagon that they are aware of the issue in these SUV’s but the only fix will void out my warranty if I choose to do it. If this is a known problem with volswagon cross sports then why is there not a solution to the problem that will not jeopardize our warranty. I’m frustrated, the car sounds ridiculous when the brakes are applied and how is one to know when they are actually bad if they always sound that way.
I own my car for a 18 months and my brakes make a grinding noise. I have taken in for service and they tell me that's its normal. How can it be normal I have own several new autos and never had I had this problem.
After having the car for less than a year the brakes started grinding metal on metal as well as an extremely loud screeching sound. I’ve taken it to a brake center and the dealership and there is nothing anyone can do as the brakes still show they are not ready to be replaced. Volkswagen is aware of the issue specifically with new Atlas models and will not do anything about it.
While driving on numerous occasions, the emergency brake has engaged making my Atlas stop short. My Atlas has been back to the dealership twice. Most recently (yesterday), they drove my car 2 miles and told me the car has no issues. My concern is that if my brake engages and someone hits me, someone can get hurt or killed. The dealership, service, and corporate refuses to acknowledge the safety concern and will not issue me a loaner until this is fixed. Before the brake engages, the car will make noises as if I'm about to hit something even though there is nothing around me. I believe this is due to the harness recall.
My vehicle is having issues with the drivers door contact switch. The emergency break will come on spontaneously while driving the vehicle.
With 10k miles and barely over a year, my atlas cross sport needs new brakes and rotors! Brought to dealership and opened a case with VW corporate but they won’t cover it because I’ve owned it more than a year. The dealership service manager even said they have had seen this issue with other atlas cross sports.
My car would activate the emergency brakes for no reason. A safety risk for myself, my family and anyone on the road near me. I was late to work several times as the parking brake would become stuck and not allow me to drive. The car would shake and the engine light would come on causing me to think my car would leave me stranded. The windows would roll down and get stuck and go up and down. My brakes and rotors were warped and would squeak and make a terrible grinding noise. Everyday was new problem that would come and go until it because constant and all at the same time , sometimes. I was in fear for my safety and that Of my son, mom family. The dealership was informed and i was assured that it was not an emergency mechanical issue. I could drop it off if I liked but there were no loaners available. Since I needed a loaner to get to and from work , I was placed on a waiting list and called when one was available. That was 10 days later . I kept looking at my car net app vehicle health report for my car that states my car had the issues aforementioned and I should schedule an appointment to get it checked but did not advise to stop driving the vehicle , which is an option. That gave me some type of reassurance but I realized that was not correct. I did not feel safe driving but I couldn’t miss work and get fired or afford to a rental myself and my car note. I dropped of my vehicle on Jan 31 2022. The advisor knew exactly what the issue was and the part it needed. Advised me the part was on backorder and 2-3 weeks for part to arrive. That turned into over 45 days with no estimated time of when it would be made and shipped. I learned through the internet searches i did that VW has a manufacturing plant in Ukraine where the part is produced. Ukraine is at war so the part is not going to be ready anytime soon. I was grateful for the loaner and rental provided but none suited my needs for the transportation of my mom who uses a wheelchair.
car came to an abrupt stop
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Sport. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the brakes. She stated that the failure was intermittent and that no warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had called and taken the vehicle to several dealers; Fiesta Volkswagen (8201 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110); University Volkswagen Mazda (5150 Ellison St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109); Garcia Volkswagen of Santa Fe (2560 Camino Edward Ortiz, Santa Fe, NM 87507) and each confirmed that they are aware of the failure; however, there was no remedy. The brakes had been inspected by each dealer and none were able to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and was informed that the grinding noise was normal. No further assistance was provided. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Car has a harsh loud metal grinding sound when brakes are applied. Steering wheel vibration when brakes are applied at medium/high speeds, more notable in declined (down hill) roads. This has been reported to dealership since we got the car brand new and they do nothing about it except to provide a scripted answer stating that the "car is safe" and/or that they cannot reproduce the issue.
SUV was purchased in May of 2021 at the Chapman VW dealership in Scottsdale, Arizona. Within several days of owning the Atlas, I noticed a grinding, shrieking noise coming from the brakes every time they were applied. I immediately notified the dealer and they said that this was a common occurrence on the Atlas. They were aware of the issue but VW had not come up with a fix at that point in time. I brought the car in and they offered to replace the pads which were done. The problem continued. Most recently, the noise and friction from the brakes has gotten infinitely worse. I contacted VW executives in the US and they once again said that they were aware of the issue but that no reimbursement would be given if I paid for new brakes myself, which I had to do. All participants, including the manager of Chapman VW, agree that this is a problem issue. However, there is no recall as of yet (one person there said one was forthcoming) and that they hear this problem from many Atlas owners. My question is why are they continuing to sell the car with the copper/rotor issue and why are they not fixing it nor reimbursing people like me? Thank you.
1) Brakes grinding and squealing 2) Known defects in the 2021 brakes could reduce potential stopping distance for affected vehicles. 3) Dealer replaced brakes at 10,000 miles with exact same part and now we are currently experience the same problems at 23,000 but now dealer says there are unable to replace because the issue will remain due to there not being a fixed replacement. Dealer also recommend contacting the manufacture customer care. There response acknowledge the issue but there was nothing they could do due to there not being a replacment part. 4) Yes, both by dealer and third party mechanics who also explained there are currently no after market brakes that could replace the defective brakes and they would have to replace with the same part. 5) No warning just constant grinding and noise
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026