We bought this new vehicle on November 8, 2019. An extremely strong odor protruded from this vehicle inside the cabin when the vehicle was idling and when turned off. It smelled like burning paint or an engine burning smell. It was nauseating and made my six year old son very sick. This was our primary and most important, vital concern and worry.

- West Hills, CA, USA

You hear wosshing sound when you start slow acceleration from almost stop, not completely stop, like 5mph. It happens every single time. The issue is that vehicle does not shift to 2nd gear, stays in 3rd when it's around 5mph. This load is causing torque converter and pump to work harder to get vehicle rolling. I believe it is a transmission issue since it only happens in 3rd gear around 1500 to 2000 rpms. For me, I hear it the most when I am accelerating after coming to a "stop". once I hear the noise, I flip the car into manual mode and it is always in 3rd gear. Although you feel like you are almost stopped, the car is still in 3rd gear. Do the same "stop" while in manual mode and downshift to 2nd, and there isn't a noise. Mechanic at dealership tried other new Atlas' on the lot and found same issues. There are a lot of people out there having same problem. Honestly, my noise seems to be getting worse and louder each day.

- Hawthorn Woods, IL, USA

When moving and under a load at lower rpms the transmission makes a screeching noise like something is grinding. Have brought this in to the dealer only to be told that it is "normal" for VW Atlas vehicles. I feel that this cannot be normal and do not trust this answer from VW especially after we were lied to about the diesel emissions problem. I am worried that these transmissions are faulty and may give out unexpectedly. I was told that if I were to be stranded the roadside assistance would help me but this is unacceptable and being stranded could be a huge safety hazard.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

This is a consistent issue and I'm worried powertrain damage is occurring. When accelerating from stopped or at low speed there is a very loud screening / grinding sound coming from the powertrain / transmission - possibly the torque converter. It happens frequently and is is very noticeable, usually when the vehicle starts to accelerate or increases acceleration at low speed then it usually goes away. I described the to two VW dealership service departments and both said "they hadn't heard of that one." I was in for other service and was told they could not replicate the sound, however it screeched when leaving the dealership! the VW Atlas forums have many posts on this issue. And lots of folks like myself are not getting any information and are concerned about safety. I did not get any meaningful help from VW or their dealer service departments. I am also worried this is causing issues or damage and is not being acknowledged or addressed by VW and their authorized service facilities.

- Dillsburg, PA, USA

1) radar auto-brake: When parallel parking and backing ( going in reverse ) parallel to the curb, at maybe 2 mph and 10 inches from curb, I got yellow stop, stop !!!!!!! message followed by sensation of hitting an object and being thrown into the seat. Only there was no object. Ran out of a car, nothing and nobody there, at least for 50 yards. An auto-brake engaged. That is really broken. Interference caused it to do that " overheated computer in 90 degree sun " 2) transmission logic: Unrelated to above, when going in slow traffic 2-10 mph, pressing gas shifts transmission into higher gear instead of lower, resulting in hit-like engagement and actual inability to rev the engine and accelerate. Slow and deep pedal movement does downshift and accelerate but too much. All cars are like that and I test drove several. 3) transmission logic: Related to (2) above, paradoxically in sport driving mode, when trying to accelerate and merge highway from 10 mph, transmission shifted up several gears, not allowing to rev the engine, and resulted in RPM decay /power loss -- very scary. That launch was timely aborted, and driver later merged the road in manual "tiptronic" mode. 4) improper gas pedal calibration: Compared to other german, Japanese and american cars, VW Atlas has abnormal and unsafe gas pedal calibration. From a stop, only lightly feathering the pedal results in civilized controlled motion. Normal gas pedal pressure results in a car rocketing forward uncontrollably. VW has to talk to some other manufacturers and get their gas calibration consistent with other cars, so it can be driven steady and safely at slow speeds when necessary.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

One week after vehicle was purchased new, it began to make a grinding noise during the following scenarios: Accelerating from low speed / taking off from a stop / after vehicle turned off. Vehicle was taken to dealer but they were unable to duplicate sound on first attempt. Vehicle has again been dropped off at dealer as grinding noise continues and gets louder at times. Have searched in different forums and some state that it is related to the vehicle not being properly programmed to shift from 3rd to 2nd when slowing down. Instead it skips 2nd gear (not a professional opinion as I am just quoting what I've read). Some have stated it could be the torque converter. Still no solution.

- Richmond, TX, USA

Bought my Atlas on 3/24/19, a few days after I got the low coolant warning light while driving. Took it in to the dealer and they topped it off and said, "oh they come to the dealer sometimes a little low." Not sure why they don't check when prepping the car for delivery. On 4/3, light came on again while driving. Took it back to the dealer 4/4, no visible leak underneath or by the tank. A possible leak was found behind the engine near the firewall, I can see some pink pooling on something silver (engine or trans whatever it is). They determined that the coolant hose has failed and claim to have never seen that issue before. They ordered the wrong parts and couldn't fit. They are ordering more parts and it could be a few weeks before I get it back. I have also engaged VW of America. This should not happen on a new car yet alone the dealer take so long to fix it. The car has only 400 miles on it. Please investigate. Thanks.

- Renton, WA, USA