2021 Volkswagen Atlas Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 69about this part
- Share
- 14%of 482 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,300miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 69 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, 14% of the 482 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,300 miles. 3 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.
“Adaptive cruise control (acc) disengages and shows acc error, if the car was remotely started after the SUV is parked with acc still on. Driver must turn off the car and manually restart, or ensure that the acc is turned off before next remote start. Vw is aware of this and it is commonly discussed on all vw consumer forums. Vw has known about this for over two years and describes it as a software programming problem. Still no repair, and was not disclosed to us when purchasing. After several trips to the dealer, I was able to find this probelm on the vw forums. …”
NHTSA complaint #11399513, filed 2021-03, 245 miles“When driving at roughly 50+ mph the windows roll down one their own and the driver door contact switch error comes on. Once slowing down, the parking break engages when you are still moving the vehicle. I have contacted VW to get this serviced and they have told me there is no fix currently and that I will be charged to provide my own rental vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11457468, filed 2022-03“I was driving on surface streets at approximately 25mi/hr when the car suddenly breaked on its own all lights in the dash turned red and the car made an alarm sound. This lasted a few seconds but the cars behind me had to break in order not to rear end me. The sudden break felt like I got hit by another car”
NHTSA complaint #11586989, filed 2024-05“Our car starting firing many warning every time we would drive it including breaking without us telling it to. We took it in twice for it to be fixed, the first didn't work and the second they replaced a door chasey and I hope it works long term. Very scary to be driving with 2 little kids in the back and a possessed car. Super dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11457499, filed 2022-03“For steering: There is a grinding noise that happens each time I turn my wheel when turning into a parking spot or making a non wide turn. It happens every single time that I do it. For Automatic Emergency Braking: It turns on while I am in the middle of driving constantly.”
NHTSA complaint #11640792, filed 2025-02Related service bulletins
- 11030842Mar 25, 2026customer reports that the vehicle performed an unwarranted Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
- 11001522May 15, 2024These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
- 11001494May 15, 2024These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement
Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 7 | 14% |
| 2024 | 29 | 16% |
| 2023 | 9 | 6% |
| 2022 | 20 | 11% |
| 2021 | 69 | 14% |
| 2020 | 7 | 26% |
| 2019 | 73 | 15% |
| 2018 | 31 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
149 complaintsBrakes
98 complaintsEngine
86 complaintsOther or unknown
79 complaintsExterior lighting
70 complaintsAir bags
66 complaintsFuel system
42 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsSeats
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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