I have a 2019 and had it in the dealership 3 weeks ago for sway bar links....was quiet for about 4 days and noise started coming back. Now, worse than it was initially. Going back to dealership in two weeks (take 3-4 weeks to get appointment). Wondering is folks seeing the issue with both the 18" and 21" wheels. The ride on 21" is horrible. I have a GLI as well with low pro tires on it...no where near as bad as these even on the slightest road imperfections.

Also has anyone seen a TSB on the drag link issue? I have 3 friends that have/had (one already traded in) 2019's and all had drag link issues....one is on their second set of links as well already.

 

You do not need to replace the entire strut as the noise is coming from the upper mount. It can be hard to diagnose because it can be such a subtle noise, I usually do both sides since it's hard to determine which side it's coming from.

Sway bar end links are easier to diagnose. A clunking noise on bumps or turns, rock the vehicle side to side as hard as you can and the end link will start clunking. Have somebody listen if you can't hear it, or even grab the end link and you'll feel it on one that's failed.

These will fix most almost all front end suspension complaints.

 

How many repeats do you see? My 2023 Atlas is currently at the dealership for the 4th time for suspension noise... that's right, 4 times in a year. Can it be fixed for good or will I be facing quarterly repairs?

 

@utergeek! Thanks for the confirmation. Mine is at the dealer right now getting this replaced, so should have it back in a couple hours and will see how it goes. They are also replacing the CarNet module at the same time. Dropped it off at 7:30am and left both key fobs for the CarNet replacement, and should be picking it up ~ 2:30pm.

 

CarNet module took a little longer than they thought, so the car spent the night at the dealer. Got it back today and no noise from the front, and CarNet seems to function without a problem. All in all happy to have this behind me and going to 2021 without any issues! Happy New Year everyone!

 

Got my atlas into the dealer today from my previous post. They said it was sway bar end links and that they’ve seen several ’21s with this problem. Took it in at 10:30 and left at 1:30. On the drive home didn’t notice it anymore, but will see.

 

Our 2021 SEL began making a serious noise at less than 5k miles. I told the dealer it sounded more like a loose strut tower or ball joint instead of a bad sway bar link. The car is brand new and should not have any front suspension issues. How likely is it that VW is installing suspension parts that are so poorly made that they fail after 5k miles? The dealer replaced both sway bar links under warranty. The noise stopped for about a week and then returned worse than before. Back the dealer for the first appointment a week away.

 

So, I spent the better part of the day trying to track down this noise on my wife’s car. If I gently rock the car side to side, I can replicate this knocking/thud. Found that if I hold the spring or down lower on the sway bar, while rocking I can actually feel it as it knocks on the passenger side. Actually, holding the sway bar on either side (passenger and driver’s) I can feel the knock but with my ear, I can only seem to place it on the passenger. Have a ‘21 SE with approx 5k miles. Going to try and get into dealer, but unsure what it could be. Sounds like 3 different things based on this thread.

Now, the weird/funny part is that when taking the cowl cover off, I found a cut plug just laying there on the strut tower under the “vent”. Also, when I took the fender liner off on one side (side closest to door) I could see some sticky liquid that looked like spilled coffee. This is not on the actual strut, but back on the sheet metal and plastic liner. I‘m sure this didn’t happen, but I swear the first thing that popped in my mind is that some guy on the line accidentally cut the plug and spilled his coffee at the same time. Rather than clean it up, just said “**** with it, no one will notice ...” and slapped the fender on.

 

Had a look at the current sway bar link and took a picture of the part number label that was on it, just to have something to check against when the shop finally does replace this part. When I look up this part number (3QF-411-315-A ) on "parts.vw.com" site, and select a 2021 Atlas, there is a message that states this part doesn't fit the 2021 Atlas. I'm guessing this is a quirk of the parts website, but has anyone seen something like this before?

 

Had a look at the current sway bar link and took a picture of the part number label that was on it, just to have something to check against when the shop finally does replace this part. When I look up this part number (3QF-411-315-A ) on "parts.vw.com" site, and select a 2021 Atlas, there is a message that states this part doesn't fit the 2021 Atlas. I'm guessing this is a quirk of the parts website, but has anyone seen something like this before?
View attachment 1589

Can confirm this part and that replacing it fixed my Atlas. My dealership sent a video showing the part and where it fits under my Atlas, connecting the sway bar to the strut housing. The service associate also confirmed that a "bad batch" from the manufacturer resulted in them wearing out so quickly, that it affects a few 2019s (which I have), and even more 2020s. But reassuringly, that the replacement parts have not resulted in extra repairs. They appear to be built properly, and are much more sturdy.

EDIT: Also, they replaced the driver side initially, and after a test drive decided to replace the one on the passenger side as well. I took it in at 1:15pm. I also had them perform an oil change, the 30K brake fluid change, and the 40K fuel system cleaning (I'm at 38K). They finished all of that by 5:25pm (including an additional time up on the lift to replace the passenger side sway bar link. Quite pleased with the result, and the service I received.

 

Had my 2021 SEL 4Motion in to the dealer last week for a noticeable clunking sound coming from the front driver side wheel well when going ~ 5-15 MPH and hitting small bumps. Service advisor met me by the vehicle to take the keys and said they have had a number of complaints with this and it is likely the sway bar. 1 hour in the shop and they confirmed it is the sway bar links. Said there was an issue with the ball/socket joint that was known and have ordered replacements. When I asked if the replacements are the from the same manufacturer/part, he claimed that VW went to a different supplier after the first issue. I didn't press on who that may be, but here are the two parts that are coming:

VW3QF-411-315-A (CONN LINK)
VWN-015-081-8 (NUT)

I'll send an update when it is fixed and see if this does the trick.

 

+1 on the front suspension issue. had both front sway bar links replaced at around 25k. I wish that was my only issue. I, like Dodi1979 really liked this car for the first 8 months of ownership, now I cant wait to get rid of it. Even at the expense of massive value loss.

@dodi , how many times did the dealer tell you all of your issues are " normal" and/ or "common in the atlas" completely downplaying the lack of quality control in this model. I wonder what these will be like when they actually get some miles on them, say 100k +. I wont know because mine will be gone but I cant imagine they will stand the test of time based on the issues so early on.

 

2019 rline same problem again its feels like a boat ride and a Rollercoaster its in the repair shop again

 

They replaced the struts. Had leaking. Fluids. Oil. Coolant mold smell from ac ,leaking roof,trans emergency mode. Electronic park problem ,.........,and its worst. I loved that car. Beginning. Now just cant wait get rid off
The car feels like a boat on a ocean. With the new struts.

 

2019 SE V6 4Motion noise in front suspension

4th time in shop in 1900 miles ! This time it's low speed squeek that some of you have mentioned. Been in shop for 5 hours now. Waiting to hear what the issue was. Will post when I hear. Other issues were Fuel System Leak Detection Pump at 93 miles, inop Adaptive Cruise at 130 miles, rattly passenger door speaker at 200 miles. Love the car, hate the unreliability.

 

TSB 40-18-01 should fix your squeaky front strut boots

 

I have turned mine by hand, sometimes makes the sound go away for a day.
Poster on VW Vortex said he was able to pull his down and then put it back up but not so far up and it stopped the squeaking. I have tried numerous times and can’t get mine down.

 

Has anyone adjusted the strut boot on their own? I'm interested in saving myself from taking a trip to the dealer.

 

I can report the same problem. 2018 Atlas with 1300K miles. A week ago I started hearing some noise from the front wheel bay. Only at low speeds - 10-20mph. Went to the dealer, and it was the strut boot - it had come off. I was told that they reinstalled the strut and boot and the noise was gone. 1.5 hours at the dealership. Hopefully this issue won't happen again.

 

Visited dealer this morning with the same issue:

1. Creaking noise coming from front-left suspension when going over speed bumps at lower speed
2. Also some "knocking" sound, or louder & hollow(?) sound as well, when going over bumps.

Turned out to be dust cover issue. They repositioned it & lubed it again, and now the noise is gone! All done within 1 hr or so after my service guy came back & told me they reproduced the issue & were going to get to work.

Apparently there was an issue with earlier builds of Atlas that showed similar symptoms,, and that was an issue with suspension itself, but VW identified & fixed it going forward.

I'm glad my issue was a simple fix & nothing where they have to dive into the suspension.

Hopefully this helpful for some of you guys.

 

Hi all! Same issue here. Atlas SEL 4motion that is 2 months old, but from the day I drove the Atlas off the lot, I felt the driver side front wheel area made a knocking noise after hitting significant potholes, etc. Almost like a kickback rattle. Then, my wife tells me she hears a squeaking noise coming from the same driver side front when driving slow (0-25 MPH) on some bad streets in NJ and NYC. Sure enough, I hear it now too driving on some sandy/dirt roads on the Cape. I still think there is knock/rattle there in addition to the squeak. Best heard when radio is off. Also, park in a quiet area (garage is best), and push down on the front bumper and you will hear the squeak clearly even with the hood closed. Dealer said they didn't hear it on the street; however in the garage they said the 'left is significantly louder than the right' and they would order a new left strut. That was 2 weeks ago and haven't heard from them. My guess is they can't get the part due to demand.

I generally like the car other than this problem and the fact that the rain sensing wipers seem to never come on but I will post that problem separately.

 

Knocking sound

I'm wondering if I might have this same issue... There is a quiet knocking/rattling sound coming from the front driver side wheel well area.
I've got an SEL Premium with 4 Motion.
I can really only hear it when I'm going 10-20 mph - usually in a parking lot, etc. I can hear it when I go over a speed bump or on uneven pavement.
I just bought the car two weeks ago and it's only got 750 miles on it.
I guess this is a known/repeating issue since there's numerous posts on the topic? I made a service appointment for Friday - anything specific I should tell them when I take it in?

 

Front struts plus more

Had front struts replaced twice. Second time with boot etc. also gas tank, took it in an they had no parts to fix it after taking my Atlas apart! Seat buckle and several other recalls after 14000 miles and 11 months. Car has been great when it’s working although the lane assist is not right on drivers side and emergency braking function isn’t predictable as to when it works or not. VW has serious problems with the manufacturing . Car play interface problematic also. It’s been great for long distance driving but it’s been in 6-7 times already. :frown2:

 

Had front struts replaced twice. Second time with boot etc. also gas tank, took it in an they had no parts to fix it after taking my Atlas apart! Seat buckle and several other recalls after 14000 miles and 11 months. Car has been great when it’s working although the lane assist is not right on drivers side and emergency braking function isn’t predictable as to when it works or not. VW has serious problems with the manufacturing . Car play interface problematic also. It’s been great for long distance driving but it’s been in 6-7 times already. :frown2:

That's a ridiculous amount of times for it to be in for service considering the low mileage. What's even worse is that it doesn't look like those visits have even addressed some of your issues. Have you considered taking it into a different dealer for a second opinion?

 

Hello all just to chime in on this thread. I just had some issues with my 2018 SE AWD w/tech where they had to initially replace the wheel bearings at 900+ miles and strut mounts at 1500+ miles due to loud grinding/squeaking noise. It was a hassle to bring the truck twice, my dealer fixed the problem and all was resolved. It’s minor but recently at 2500+ my check engine light came on, third time had to bring my Atlas and it was deemed that it required a software update to clear the Evap Emission (P0456) error. Well I bought the SUV and will deal with it as I go just kind of doubting the quality of these SUV’s as I ran into these issues with less than three (3) month into ownership.

 

never trade in your Touareg, my 2012 is still running like a champ, i'm here to look for replace my wife's bimmer to a 7 seater Atlas, but so far not so impressed.

 

Hey, don't fret. What you're seeing right now are people who have complaints. The happy folks won't feel the need to find a forum to gripe. Only the car nuts will be on a forum just to talk shop... like me, lol.

My family LOVES our Atlas. It's smooth, powerful, capable and fun for all of our family adventures. We currently have zero issues from ours with a near 7000 miles on it, 2000 of which was added during a 2 week road trip! If we had a single gripe, it would be that we wish we had gotten factory nav. Android auto/google maps SUCKS! But...that's not veedub's fault. ?

 

My understanding is this is related to the strut boots, nothing else w/r to the strut itself.

 

Bought my 2018 Atlas SE Tech back in March of 2018 and put about 1,300 miles on it before we started to hear a pop sound when we were going less than 10 mph (pulling into parking lot or driveway)
Service dept at dealer tried to order new struts but they said they are on back order. They said that the technical department at VW told them there was a memo in the works in regard to the issue...
He claims that it will not do any damage to continue to drive it in the interim, Thoughts?

 

I purchased my 2018 Atlas SEL Premium about 3 weeks ago and took it in today for "squirrel cage" noise from left front. Service Manager drove it with me riding along and heard the noise. The noise seems to be more audible when the strut is moving over bumps or ramps at the dealership and moving at parking lot speeds. The noise was noticeable at about 240 miles and the vehicle turned 300 miles this morning on the way to the dealer. Will post outcome.

 

Update on squirrel cage noise



Update--The dealer has ordered left front shock, spring and shock mount. They think it is bad strut from the factory. Will be in Monday so have loaner over the weekend.

 

picked the car up after the strut replacement. Everything fixed now, and now it runs like new... well actually better than new!
(all covered under warranty).

 

+1 on the Strut replacement.
Dropped the Atlas because of an airbag issue, and i mentioned them the noise coming from the suspension, and they are replacing the struts as we speak.