I bought a VW Atlas 2018 expecting the front assist feature, whereby if the SUV detects an obstacle in its path, it will engage the brakes to stop the vehicle and avoid a collision. Unfortunately I am experiencing a situation where the feature could cause a collision. From conversations with vm service, the sensor that detects obstacles points from the grill, directly out, and parallel to the road. When driving on a down slope that levels out, the sensor will detect the road, and, assuming it is an obstacle, engage the brakes to stop the vehicle to avoid collision. At speeds >10mph, there is no detection. But, I discovered (multiple times) that entering traffic from a car park creates the down angle, and (because its is essential to drive slowly exiting a car park to fully observe the oncoming traffic) the speed whereby the feature engages and stops the SUV. In multiple occasions this has stops us in incoming traffic, with the real possibility of a drivers side collision. I had started to disable the front assist feature but discovered this must be done on every trip, and of course (a) sometimes this is forgotten and (B) others driving the SUV may not remember or even know. I feel that this feature (acknowledgedly a great safety feature when driving on a level road), is actually a potential collision hazard when driving in the conditions described above.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

The vehicle failed to stop on a city street after full application of brakes causing collision and damage to front bumper. I have not received any notification from walks wagon that ceramic coating on the brakes needs to be fixed and was not aware of any brake issues prior to the collision.the vehicle has approximately 4100 miles and currently at the collision centre.

- Plano, TX, USA

I"M contacting you with an issue that needs immediate attention. There is a serious defect with the VW Atlas we leased 2 months ago. The automatic braking system deploys at unexpected and inappropriate times producing a life threatening situation. The automatic braking system has activated, dangerously and inappropriately, several times, usually when pulling out of a driveway and attempting to enter a lane. Although there is no obstruction or risk of collision, the car senses the insignificant change in slope from driveway to road and slams on the brakes causing the driver to lose all control. The car is then stalled in the middle of oncoming traffic. Recently, my wife and two children pulled out of the driveway of our local supermarket and made a left turn. The automatic breaking system was activated and she was left stalled in the middle of oncoming traffic. Another driver barely avoided colliding into our rear side door where our 3 year old son?S car seat is located. We have taken this issue to our local dealership, and they checked the system, and told us ?it is performing as the manufacture intended it to?. this is a serious design issue and its only a matter of time before it results in a major accident and I can only pray that my young children arena"T maimed or killed. The VW service people have shown us a complicated way to turn off the automatic braking system in the car, however this needs to be done every time you start the car. I feel its inevitable that a busy mother doing chores with two toddlers will forget to turn off the system at some point. This matter needs to be resolved before disability or loss of life occurs. There needs to be a way to fix the system or permanently disable it. We asked VW to permanently disable the system but they declined. We look forward to your prompt reply thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Merion Station, PA, USA

The auto braking and warning sensors go off when you are driving from an inclined driveway to a roadway. This has happened to us multiple times, the most recent was on 7-2-2018, and it brings the vehicle to a complete stop. This is supposed to be a safety feature that was an extra cost, but this is going to cause a crash if not rectified. I have taken the vehicle in for this issue, and multiple other issues and all I get back is ' system is performing as designed.' If the system is performing as designed, the system needs to be changed. This is without a doubt a safety issue in itself. There are multiple other owners on message boards that are having the same issues and having the same answers from the dealerships. On one of the message boards, there is actually a video of the vehicle coming to a complete stop driving from a bank parking lot to a main road.

- Martinsburg, WV, USA

Automatic braking system is faulty. When I pull out of driveways or parking lots the sensors are activating and the maneuver braking is applied and the car comes to an abrubt stop in the middle of the road. Everytime this has occured there has not been an object or car present. This system is faulty and dangerous. I have 3 children in the back seat and this makes me very concerned for their safety when I drive this vehicle. VW service is looking into the issue and has given me a loaner Atlas that is doing the exact same thing. I have a video of the issue occuring.

- Montrose, CO, USA

Notified on 06/15/18 that my vehicles brake calipers were manufactured with insufficient chrome coating which could lead to the formation of gas bubbles and create a soft brake possibly resulting in a crash. There was a stop sale associated with my VIN on 05/25/18 but I was not informed until 06/15/18. On 06/15/18 I was told to stop driving the vehicle and have it towed to the dealership immediately. There is still no eta on when parts will be available or when my vehicle will be returned to me.

- Moseley, VA, USA

2018 Atlas sel, equipped with autonomous breaking to "prevent" collisions. When vehicles travel down an incline like a driveway, the emergency breaking feature will unexpectedly engaged, causing the vehicle to come to a complete and sudden stop. When this occurs, I have no control over the continued movement of the vehicle. I am required to change gears and/or restart the vehicle in order to move the vehicle again. This poses a extreme safety issue as the vehicle will shut down when you are attempting to pull out of a private drive and on to a active roadway, increasing the risk of a side on vehicle collision. Issue was reported to VW service department. Service manager was able to duplicate the issue. Service manager also tested another VW Atlas on the sale lot with the same feature. Strive manager reported that the same issue occurred with the other Atlas as well. Service department was unable to correct the issue, reporting the vehicle is "operating as designed." Issue was reported to Volkswagen. After a three week period, Volkswagen reported that they were declining to take further action on the issue, stating the vehicle was 'operating as designed." This issue poses a major safety issue no only to the driver and occupants of the vehicle, but to other motorists on the road. Volkswagen has been given notice of the issue and refuses to acknowledge of take action.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

On multiple occasions our 2018 VW Atlas has had its emergency braking feature engage in an unexpected and dangerous way. Specifically, during urban driving when having to traverse the normal dip from driveway to street, across a gutter or other low point, the emergency braking system abruptly halts the vehicle and disables movement. When this occurs it is extremely jarring and shuts down normal operation, requiring some sort of gear change or restart. It occurs more frequently when accelerating faster over the dip resulting in a more bumpy movement. It is a major problem when you're attempting to turn into moving traffic quickly. It leaves the vehicle and passengers especially vulnerable as we're perpendicular to oncoming traffic. As a mother of 3 small children in car seats, I am extremely concerned.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

I was turning left on a busy road out of a parking lot and had all three of my kids in the car with me. My emergency brake turned on without any warning and stopped my car heading East/West in traffic heading North/South. My foot was on the gas trying to get out of the way and suddenly the emergency brake turned off and my car sped forward into the traffic. I was able to swerve to the side and get out of the way of other cars before any accidents were caused. This is extremely dangerous and could have killed myself and all three of my children.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

I came to a full stop as I was about to exit a driveway. Since there were no vehicles approaching from either direction and there were no obstacles in front of me, I stated to pull out of the driveway when the autonomous emergency braking system suddenly and abruptly stopped my vehicle with no justification. This type of system failure can result in injury.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA