2020 VW Atlas

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas is a top contender for best midsize SUV. Volkswagen introduced the VW Atlas in 2018 and it has become a very popular SUV. While VW says the Atlas is “full of potential”, based on the number of 2020 VW Atlas complaints and problems, the car seems to be full of nonstop repairs.

Read all about 2020 VW Atlas Top Problems

1. Brake Problems
2. Electrical Problems with the Start/Stop system and Wire Harness Defects
3. Transmission Problems

See more problems for other VW Atlas model years:  2019  2021 and 2022

2020 VW Atlas Electrical Problems

VW Atlas Start/Stop Defect affecting the Engine

The 2020 VW Atlas is equipped with start/stop systems that automatically engage when drivers turn on their vehicles. In order to save fuel, these systems turn off engines when vehicles are stopped, and automatically turn on when drivers begin to accelerate. Many 2020 VW Atlas owners have complained that these Start/Stop systems drain their vehicles’ batteries. There have been reports of batteries deteriorating quickly due to the faulty VW Atlas Stop/Stop feature.

One 2020 VW Atlas owner reports on VwAtlas Forum,

My Atlas is in the shop right now getting fixed. They have found bad cells in the battery. They are giving us a loaner car until they can find a battery. Seems to be a lot of issue similar to this on the internet.

Hopefully the new battery fixes the issue. I’m having doubts. Had it 8 months. I’m suspecting the battery is under rated and the car is burning out the cells with the auto start/stop system.

VW Atlas Wiring Harness Problems affecting Windows

Wire harness problems also plague the 2020 VW Atlas, affecting the electrical system. NHTSA received a report of the following wire harness defect from an Philadelphia VW Atlas owner:

Upon starting the vehicle, an electrical fault for the drivers side door comes on. Often, this is followed by the drivers side door windows rolling down a few inches automatically. What follows next is a cascade of electrical faults, including but not limited to the emergency brake. When trying to drive in this condition, the brake automatically comes on just before the car comes to a complete stop. When there isn’t the initial electrical fault, the car operates normally. This seems to be a problem associated with the driver’s side door wiring harness. The car has been in the shop with the parts on backorder for over a month. This seems to be a known and common issue and it should probably rise to the level of recall.

As a result of so many VW Atlas owners experiencing wiring harness problems, Volkswagen is now recalling over 246,000 VW Atlas SUVs in order to repair the wire harness. Additionally, CNBC has reported that a wiring harness issue could also cause the cars’ windows to automatically roll down. According to Volkswagen, electrical contacts in either of the affected cars’ front doors can corrode, interfering with the vehicle’s electrical system.

Volkswagen told the Daily Hive that 2020 VW Atlas owners should look out for certain symptoms that may indicate a faulty wiring harness They include:

• An airbag warning light that never goes out
• Power windows that can unexpectedly open and close
• The parking brake could engage suddenly at low speeds of 3 km/h or less
• Warnings about a faulty door sensor

VW Atlas Transmission Problems

Volkswagen states its 2020 VW Atlas transmissions are “Packed with Power and So Much More”. However, it appears the VW Atlas transmission is packed with complaints. Just read this complaint to NHTSA

2020 Atlas Cross Sport SE 4 MOTION. At 15,000, vehicle exhibited unusual and dangerous transmission behavior that compromises the safety and longevity of the vehicle. The vehicle demonstrated severe acceleration lag from stop, revving at high RPM’s before moving, harsh grinding gear shifts, “start/stop errors”, and bucking at lower gears. Car was taken to service center for the first time and diagnosed with a transmission leak due to a faulty gasket, which was repaired. However, problems persisted and worsened. Shortly thereafter, car was taken a second time to service center and diagnosed with a faulty transmission valve and solenoids. Vehicle was returned, but continues to have rough gear shifts and hesitation under heavy acceleration. Car is in the service center for a third time, as of now, without fix.

The VW Atlas has a major design flaw in the torque converter. When downshifting or stuck in 3rd gear it creates a screeching/ grinding noise. Buyer beware. It is apparently normal per VW. Sounds like an issue they haven’t figured out how to resolve yet and are just making up excuses. It is annoying and embarassing. I don’t know how they can justify this with a $50k loaded car.

According to the VW transmission class action lawsuit, transmissions in the 2020 VW Jetta and 2018-2020 VW Tiguan suffer “hard and sudden shifts, delayed acceleration, hesitation, banging into gear, eventually suffering broken seals and oil leaks, resulting in catastrophic failure”.

VW Atlas Brake Problem and Brake Recall

As reported in our lemon law blog, the 2021 VW Atlas, 2022 VW Atlas and 2019 VW Atlas as well as the 2020 VW Atlas have a brake defect which affects the VW Altas Forward Collision Emergency Braking System.

VW’s 2020 Atlas comes equipped with Forward Collision Avoidance Emergency Braking System (FCA-EBS). With the help of sensors, this system detects an imminent accident. In an emergency situation, the emergency braking system will stop the car without the driver’s help. However, many Atlas owners report that the braking system does not work correctly, requiring them to visit VW dealers for repairs.

Volkswagen recalled 246,000 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs in the earlier this month because of a wiring problem that could cause brake problems.

If the wiring of the Atlas cars is damaged, it may cause the electronic parking brake to engage inadvertently at low speeds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Volkswagen has not yet developed a fix for the problem, according to the report. However, Volkswagen will offer a lemon law reimbursement program for the VW Atlas recalled vehicles.

Lemon Law Help for Brake, Electrical or Transmission Problems with the 2020 VW Atlas.