2024 Volkswagen Atlas Brakes Problems

The brakes on this vehicle are substandard; they produce a loud noise when cold. I took it to the dealership to assess whether the brakes were defective, but they were found to be in proper condition. However, the representative at the Volkswagen dealership mentioned that all customers with a newer Atlas experience the same issue. It appears there is a common problem with the brakes, and they have indicated that it will not be repaired or replaced. The noise suggests the brakes are retreating, which is highly distracting while driving or braking. I am therefore concerned about the possibility of an accident or brake failure.

I have a certified 2024 VW Atlas with 22K miles. I noticed a strong rattling when braking at higher speeds. And the breaks are constantly squeaking. The VW dealer said the brakes looked good. I took it to Brake Master and they did a full inspection and found the brakes were in a descent shape but the rotors were severely damaged and had some stress fractures. Notes from BM: Check front brakes approx. 10 millimeters 10mm pads Left 1.194 Right 1.192 Rotors glazed and hot spotted. Looks like hardware was scraping for a whole at one point. Rear Brake pads have approx 10mm remaining. Rear rotors have extreme heat glazing rings around them. Appearance seems that new brake pads were installed without addressing any rotor issues.

In low temperature conditions. Typically under 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the brakes will produce a high pitch grind/squeal noise. It’s a very concerning voice. Dealership says it’s normal, but there is no way it can be.

The brakes are grinding, pads were checked at local shop and were noted to be 11mm and should not be grinding

Strong steering-wheel shake and brake-pedal pulsation when braking from highway speeds. The condition appeared when driving at highway speeds while taking my family on a trip in the mountains and began shaking violently when braking, so much so we nearly had to pull off the road. The vehicle has never been tracked, towed heavy loads, or abused in any way. Issue was inspected and the service provider told me this is normal wear and tear from driving in the mountains. We have only had the car for over a year and has 12,344 miles currently. Service provider will not fix, stating it is not covered under warranty.

Brakes make a horrible squealing noise when lightly applied. IT gets worse when its colder and sometimes sounds like water rushing. Dealership said this is normal even though the car is only a year old. This is not normal

My brakes have been grinding and squeaking for months. I bought my car new in Feb 2024. Dealship has stated it’s “normal”

When the Atlas is cold, there is a weird screeching/grinding sound coming from the drivers side front when I press the brakes while in motion. Car has 12 miles on it. Brought it into the dealer and they say that it’s a known issue with the OEM brakes, but as it “does not cause a safety concern” it’s not covered under warranty. Dealer said that he could replace brakes with non OEM and the problem would go away. Dealer says that it is from “initial brake build-up” but that it is not likely to go away without replacing the brakes.

Metal to metal grinding sounds

The brakes sound horrible when they are cold. They grind and vibrate until they are warmed up and the car only has 8K miles on it. We are being forced to pay to have the brake pads replaced with ceramic brake pads from the semi-metallic factory ones. We have only had the car 2 weeks. They said VW would cover 70% of the cost, but with the number of complaints, this should be covered completely.

I have a horrible noise when breaking it sound like scratching and water behind the dashboard it’s horrible noise. We are afraid to use it because we think that we can run into an accident because of the sound on the breaks. The vehicle is working normal it’s just the sound that Is horrible. Nobody wants to take responsibility we took it to the dealership many times and they are blaming to the manufacture breaks company and that is an issue that they are aware of the existence because every month they run certification to theirs cars and they experience the same issue with their breaks form Volkswagen atlas 2024 and they are blaming it to the manufacture for the breaks they install to many of this suv. My advisor recommend me to change the break pads be he wouldn’t take full responsibility that the noise can go away. He told me it’s normal sound and the sound is going to keep coming back because the problem comes from the breaks. Nobody have make this into a recall and no agents want to file this as a recall. We pay 1,200 dollars every month in this lease and the sound keep happening we need some solutions as soon as possible this need to be file a a recall so they can stop installing this breaks to future cars and the problem can get bigger than what’s already is.

Not even a year old and brakes squeaking/ gurgling sounds coming from the front wheels. As time goes on seems to get worse to the point where I am braking and slips a little. I've taken by car to the dealership twice and made several calls they keep sayings it is a known issued and a flaw for VW not a safety issue. The gurling sound is not normal and not safe especially for a new vehicle. I have an open case with VW, but they won't budge since they go off of what techs are documenting. They said I would have to pay out of pocket to replace the rotors and breaks even though vehicle is only a year old. If I would have known of this issue, I would have not bought this vehicle. On another note, having issues with moisture building up and developing mold which is coming through the vents. This is something VW does not take care of would have to pay for odor treatment on faulty design. I have never ran into this issued with any other make.

Grinding noise accompanied with vibration and pulsating feel in brake pedal. Fluid movement noises near driver footwell. Cavitation of hydraulic fluid in brake systems can result in corrosion and premature failure of components. Inconsistency in brake feel with pedal vibration has resulted in over and under braking. The problem has been substantiated 3 times by two independent dealers. No warning lights present.

Within a year of owning my vehicle, I began to notice a SEVERE shudder on braking when descending from 7000 foot elevation (Mammoth Lakes, CA) to a 4400 foot elevation (Bishop, CA) on [XXX] of [XXX} upon braking. I have driven this route approximately 25 times in the past 1.5 years. Normally, I would set the adaptive cruise control to 73-75 mph on this downhill grade to control speed, and let the adaptive cruise control do the work of controlling speed, while keeping my own foot off the break. However, if I did need to slow further due to traffic, I would experience a SEVERE shudder upon manual braking- see attached screenshot of a video taken at night. I brought this incident up to VW (See mechanic video) in 1/2025, and they blamed the problem on overheating of the front rotor (see technician video link below). Upon return trips to Mammoth, I now realize that this overheating was caused by the adaptive cruise control itself attempting to control auto speed. Now, in order to make this LESS dangerous, I have to let the car get up to 80 mph and then pulse the breaks- because if I let the adaptive cruise control do the work as designed, it creates an unsafe driving condition BECAUSE OF A FAULTY DESIGN by VW- if heat is an issue, better dissipation is needed, or a temperature sensor is needed. VW's solution was for me to spend $700 to replace brakes and rotors due to a VW design flaw, despite my car being under warranty, and I cannot afford this currently. I think this issue MUST be recalled immediately before I (or someone else) who drives on long hilly grades has a fatal car accident due to a design flaw in the VW Atlas Adaptive Cruise Control. VW Technician report found here: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Breaks make a loud squealing sound while break both gently or hard. When breaking down an incline the breaks will grind and then slip followed by a urgent grind to hard break.

Extreme screech and scratching upon braking. Constant and well known by other VW owners.

WHEN BRAKING THERE IS A GRINDING/SCREECHING NOISE Upon inspection found front brake pads to be down to metal damaging rotor i was informed by a mechanic that the issue with the brakes is not normal wear and tear that it is a factory defect coz they are not wearing out equally the right side is worst than the left that in the right side theres no brakes anymore deañer says i have to pay for it i dont understand why if my truck is new and it is not a normal wear and tear

We purchased our vehicle in August 2024. We only have around 3,200 miles on it. When leaving a space (driveway, parking space, etc), even if only parked for a short time, the brakes have a noticeable screech which I have never had on a new vehicle. The dealership inspected and said there are no issues and they will not replace the pads. They blame the type of pads used by the manufacturer. I have never had this issue on new vehicles whether it is hot, cold, wet, dry, etc. My used vehicle recently had brake pads changed and there are no sounds.

Horrific screeching sound while braking. Braking when going down slight hill grinds and drags when braking. Brake sound occurs after car stops in addition to the grinding screeching sound during braking. Took vehicle in to VW and they report brake pads are 8mm and no issues found but stated there is a defect in the composite of this models brakes and will notify once they get more information. This is absolutely unacceptable and unsafe. Why should I be driving a brand new car with these sounds?? The embarrassing sound and lack of braking is a severe concern.

Bought a new 2024 VW Atlas Se with 4 miles on it. Around 6700 miles my brakes grinds and squeaks whenever I brake when the pads are cold. Took it to the VW dealership in Capitol Heights, MD. They claimed they cleaned the brakes but the same problem is occurring. From researching the problem it seems many people are having this same problem. VW should be aware of the issues.