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Forward collision avoidancePart report

2020 Volkswagen Atlas Forward collision avoidance Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
26%of 27 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas, 26% of the 27 complaints for this model year.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Two main issues... The automatic breaking will break in the most random spots. There is no car around but it reacts to certain ways the lines are painted on the road is my guess. It will do it to some cross walks as well as some round abouts. I've had to just turn it off so it doesn't kill me. Also, another issue is the battery. I just had the battery checked and it is good but when the the fuel gets below quarter taken the car will not crank. This has happened 3 times now.”

NHTSA complaint #11680489, filed 2025-08

“I want to record my experience with my 2020 VW Atlas. I have experienced the Front Collision alerts and the braking when nothing was in my path. This might have caused an accident as the braking would be similar to a driver stopping short. The vehicle was never brought to a complete stop but felt like the car was not in the driver's control as it slowed. The forward collision light did illuminate during occurrences. Secondly, the airbag light is on and the dealership has advised the part is on backorder. …”

NHTSA complaint #11457818, filed 2022-03

“We own a 2020 VW Atlas SE W/Technology. This vehicle has grossly failed to meet reliability expectations. Of most concern is the repeated failure of the vehicle's electric power steering rack. This component has been replaced 3 times on my vehicle. Each failure has been accompanied by a creak in the front suspension and a clunk in the steering movement. I have asked VW of America to extend the warranty on my vehicle as this failure and it's the history of failures lead me to believe I will encounter this issue again very soon. …”

NHTSA complaint #11504476, filed 2023-01

“We've had our Atlas since 5/2020. Since then, we've had multiple issues similar to what I have seen reported on VW's upcoming recall. I am not sure how VW intends to identify which VIN's are an issue, but ours should probably be included. Here's a list of issues... 1) Emergency braking goes off when backing up, even though there is no risk. 2) Emergency braking goes off at the end of a decline when the road is transitioning from angled to flat. Since you're pointed down, it thinks the upcoming road is another vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11457682, filed 2022-03

“My 2020 Volkswagen Atlas has been in and out of the shop. We purchased this vehicle in april 2020 with great hopes...we've been loyal vw customers and have owned 2 other vw vehicles prior. Issues began mid-aug 2020, the check engine light turned on and we began hearing a rattling noise coming from the steering wheel when turning the wheel and began smelling a burnt odor coming from the engine. At this time, the vw shop did the following: the electro-mechanical steering was replaced and the acf valve was removed & replaced. Issue persisted. …”

NHTSA complaint #11406626, filed 2021-04

Related service bulletins

Forward collision avoidance: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202617%
2025714%
20242916%
202396%
20222011%
20216914%
2020726%
20197315%
2018317%

Other parts of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas

Electrical system
11 complaints
Air bags
8 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
Lane departure
1 complaints
Seats
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas

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