10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 4,270 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Flawed programming of the transmission control module posing a safety risks in various low speed driving scenarios and potential repair expenses due to excessive engine strain. There is a widespread defect with the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport that may affect the Atlas as well. Many owners in Facebook groups are experiencing this defect. Despite Volkswagen, wherein referred to as VW, claiming the performance of transmission control module (TCM) is a characteristic of the vehicle, the defect affects acceleration after decelerating below 20 MPH when the operator (driver) expects the vehicle to typically reaccelerate. The flawed programming inhibits the transmission from downshifting at speeds below 20 MPH to properly reaccelerate, even in Sport Mode with the expectation of a more reactive transmission performance. The transmission remains in 3rd gear at speeds between 5-20 MPH after decelerating rather than downshifting into 2nd gear to reaccelerate; however, from a complete stop, the transmission will properly use 2nd gear; generally from 5-19 MPH. There is an audible strain on the engine when the RPM increase but the transmission does not downshift. There is a manual "trick" to signal the TCM to downshift when slowing below 20 MPH. A quick pulse of the accelerator pedal will signal the TCM to downshift and the transmission will properly operate in 2nd gear for reacceleration. The challenge is not always having enough time to pulse the pedal in congested driving situations. It's dangerous. A few examples when this is observed is during stop and go traffic, turning into parking garages with immediate inclines, merging into interstate traffic, U-turns, climbing inclines below 20 MPH, etc.
- Houston, TX, USA
My new car is telling me I have a transmission problem. I got in my car to go to work and my car wouldn-??t go in drive or reverse. Then my back up camera doesn-??t work all the time and my screen gets blurry or complete black.
- Duenweg, MO, USA
The contact owns a?2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that after pressing the engine Start/Stop button to start the vehicle in the driveway, she exited the vehicle and sat in the front passenger's seat. After 4-5 minutes, the vehicle inadvertently rolled backward while the transmission was in park (P). No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle rolled over her daughter's left knee before stopping at the end of the driveway. Additionally, the "Error: Drive System. Please Service Vehicle" message was previously displayed while driving, and the parking brake was inoperable. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report. The contact's daughter received medical treatment at the hospital for knee pain and tire scratches on her right knee and feet. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnosis. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 21,350.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
To the best of my knowledge, the transmission failed to function appropriately causing danger. After pulling onto a major highway, the car stopped in front of oncoming traffic and the rpm-??s shot up. After letting off the gas and pressing again, the car then shifted and was able to drive. This happened after several instances of delayed shifting noted but this is the first time it has stalled out while driving. Stalling on a major highway puts me and others at risk of crashing if I am unable to move my vehicle suddenly. No warning lamps were present then or now. According to my owners manual, I am to alert the NHTSA and Volkswagen. My next step is to reach out to Volkswagen.
- Mendenhall , MS, USA

- Lakewood Ranch, FL, USA