2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 17%of 108 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,828miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, 17% of the 108 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,828 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving vehicle upon coming to a completed stop, various fault messages are displayed 'electronic brake error/driver contact switch error, start/stop error'. The car detects that the door is open even though it is completely closed which causes parking break to activate immobilizing the vehicle ; the start/stop system then activates turning off the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383956, filed 2020-12, 7,655 miles“Upon vehicle start, vehicle provided several warnings: 'driver door contact switch, electronic parking brake fault, airbag error', and several others. The driver and driver-rear passenger windows rolled down about two inches, security light was blinking, drivers door would not lock. While driving on city street, the parking brake would engage at low speed (1-2 MPH), and when stopped, while in gear (drive).”
NHTSA complaint #11403076, filed 2021-03, 6,000 miles“Our atlas will randomly slam on its brakes as if avoiding a collision on an empty road. The lane assist will also steer you towards obstacles (like construction barrels) and fight as your try to correct its error. Issues have all occurred while in motion traveling down a 2 or 4 lane road.”
NHTSA complaint #11352958, filed 2020-09, 250 miles“Ever since we have purchased the car, the brakes have always given us issues. There is a continous squeaking when braking despite having new pads. We have also had the brakes grind causing rotor issues. We have had to replace the rotors on this car 4 times and brake pads 5 or 6 times. Our brakes continue to squeak and the dealership indicates that this is normal and may be do to oxidation build up. We have never experienced this before with any other vehicle we have purchased or leased.”
NHTSA complaint #11575657, filed 2024-03“In may 2021 I had the drivers side wiring harness replaced due to being faulty which included windows unrolling on their own, cruise control not working, every time I stopped car using brakes emergency brake automatically came on and car would jerk forward, to name a few. After I hand it replaced it worked until November 2021 where once again the same problems occurred. I took it to dealership who stated wiring harness again needed to be replaced. Unfortunately part is in back order and continues to not be available. …”
NHTSA complaint #11455807, filed 2022-03Related service bulletins
- 11036878Aug 27, 2026Repair or Replace Information
- 11026177Nov 6, 2025Warranty Instruction and guidance
- 11026174Nov 3, 2025Alignment sheet submission.
- 11018936May 1, 2025Steps to perform when a customer states and unwarranted Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
- 11016584Mar 12, 2025Brake Repair or Replacement Information
- 11007387Aug 22, 2024This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
- 10239659Jul 13, 2023Brake Disc (rotor) instruction for resurfacing following Volkswagen Warranty Policy & Procedure Manual.
- 10239637Jul 13, 2023Brake repair or replacement instruction.
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
33 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsForward collision avoidance
15 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology