2019 Atlas 4Motion - Noise when turning. Anyone else?!

There have been quite a few reports of issues with the Atlas' sway bar links and struts. If you came across the same noise on another model, they may simply need to tighten things up. Is there any play in the wheels or is it just the noise? Other similar threads on here about it. https://www.vwatlasforum.com/forum/9-2018-volkswagen-atlas-general-discussion-forum/2611-noise-turning-left.html

Titanus said:

There have been quite a few reports of issues with the Atlas' sway bar links and struts. If you came across the same noise on another model, they may simply need to tighten things up. Is there any play in the wheels or is it just the noise? Other similar threads on here about it. https://www.vwatlasforum.com/forum/...discussion-forum/2611-noise-turning-left.html

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No, the noise I'm referring to is not the same noise alluded to in the thread you've referenced.


It's hard to explain the exact sound of the noise but I was able to replicate the exact same sound from another SEL Premium 4Motion on the dealer's lot. The sound is audible when turning the steering wheel and pressing the gas pedal at the same time. For example let's say you're pulling out your neighborhood or any turn that requires turning the steering wheel and giving gas at the same time; my car produces this noise heard from within the front cabin that kind of sounds like a wind noise (but more mechanical sounding if that makes sense) that last for 4-5 seconds and then it's gone.


If anyone has a 4Motion-model Atlas please try this (repeating the procedures outlined above) and let me know!

I heard this noise on my 2019 Atlas S with 4Motion. Turning and accelerating. Sounds sort of like what you are describing, but to me it was similar to an exhaust shield (light weight metal) coming in contact with something vibrating...sort of like wind noise I guess. Same duration you mentioned.

Likely to be a TSB in the future...it doesn't sound like anything is damaged, more like something vibrates.

Also, I did not come to a complete stop, this was a likely second gear pull. These Asin transmissions don't down shift to first unless you come to a complete stop...so I wondered if lug in second (up a hill in my case) had anything to do with amplification. Will report to dealer when I go in for my first appointment.

Please post if you find out what it is...

Chillax said:

I heard this noise on my 2019 Atlas S with 4Motion. Turning and accelerating. Sounds sort of like what you are describing, but to me it was similar to an exhaust shield (light weight metal) coming in contact with something vibrating...sort of like wind noise I guess. Same duration you mentioned.

Likely to be a TSB in the future...it doesn't sound like anything is damaged, more like something vibrates.

Also, I did not come to a complete stop, this was a likely second gear pull. These Asin transmissions don't down shift to first unless you come to a complete stop...so I wondered if lug in second (up a hill in my case) had anything to do with amplification. Will report to dealer when I go in for my first appointment.

Please post if you find out what it is...

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Chillax...finally! Someone who is also experiencing and hearing the same noise I'm speaking of!


I too thought it was the heat shield and even mentioned that to the tech advisor and shop foreman at the dealership...to which they also said no that isn't it. Naturally my next question was what they thought it was then? They said they think it's software related where the 4Motion system is trying to overly compensate for proper power being sent to sides of the vehicle the that do not have weight put to them (so for example if turning steering into a left turn and pressing gas...the 4Motion is putting power to the opposite of the vehicle creating the noise). Now how that explanation is turning into a sound? I'm not sure.


Chillax, by the way what is a 'TSB' you mentioned? And if by that you mean Tech Service Bulletin...how can we Atlas owners see a list of TSB's associated with the Atlas...any link or direction you can share?

In the past I purchased repair manuals for my Touaregs, the repair manuals were DVD / Web based. The TSB's (you are correct technical service bulletins) were listed in the Web-based application along with shop notes and a large volume of other data. I do not know if (Bentley was the publisher) will do that for the Atlas, but it is likely. There may be other ways to get TSB information, this is just what I did.

I too theorize with the AWD system but am not familiar enough with it (yet) to comment further at this time. Please do keep us abreast of any dealer updates that you receive on your end.

Chillax said:

In the past I purchased repair manuals for my Touaregs, the repair manuals were DVD / Web based. The TSB's (you are correct technical service bulletins) were listed in the Web-based application along with shop notes and a large volume of other data. I do not know if (Bentley was the publisher) will do that for the Atlas, but it is likely. There may be other ways to get TSB information, this is just what I did.

I too theorize with the AWD system but am not familiar enough with it (yet) to comment further at this time. Please do keep us abreast of any dealer updates that you receive on your end.

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Yes if any update I'll let you know; and likewise if you come across any update (since you are experiencing same noise with your Atlas) please inform here.


Also if I'm understanding you correctly; are you saying the only way I can know what TSB items (if any) are available for the 2019 Atlas is to actually contact the dealership and ask? Can I not go to a website for this?

No, it doesn't appear their is any way for the Atlas yet. The way I found the TSB's with my Touaregs was through my purchase of the repair manual which was through Bentley Publishers (here is their main website):

Bentley Publishers - Repair Manuals and Automotive Books

The DVD allowed access to a very detailed Web site that included TSB's. There will likely be other sites (historically this has been true, although I was unable to locate any detailed information on the Atlas yet) but you will have to pay money for each TSB download...much better to get the full access through Bently Publisher...problem is I can't find a Bentley Publisher repair manual for the Atlas even on their own site (above)...

I understand that NHTSA has recall oriented TSB's on their site, but the non recall ones will be missing.

I have just began experiencing this noise about a week ago. I began to notice it when I would make a slight tight turn, such as getting out of my driveway or turning into a parking spot. I am taking my Atlas in to have this issue (along with several other ongoing issues) in the next week or so.

Vwgrog said:

I have just began experiencing this noise about a week ago. I began to notice it when I would make a slight tight turn, such as getting out of my driveway or turning into a parking spot. I am taking my Atlas in to have this issue (along with several other ongoing issues) in the next week or so.

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Awesome.


Well; not awesome that you too are experiencing the same sound as our Atlas'...but awesome in the sense that if enough people bring the same noise to VW and VW dealer's attention; hopefully there will be a fix and explanation.


Vwgrog...please keep us in the loop with what the dealership tells you regarding the noise!

i am hearing this too, if I let off the gas briefly it goes away as well. kind of a "whining" noise that seems to be coming from the front.

TylerDH said:

i am hearing this too, if I let off the gas briefly it goes away as well. kind of a "whining" noise that seems to be coming from the front.

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I have had the noise in my 2018 Atlas S 4 motion as well and unfortunately I do not seen any updates here from dealer experiences since April

Yes, that happened to me. I drove another Atlas from the dealer and found the same. It happens while you accelerate at the 3rd gear. Now im used to it.

This has been discussed here, vwvortex, and on the Atlas FB pages ad-nauseum. All arrows point to the torque converter. No adverse issues reported specifically related to that noise yet that I can find...just a noise and it's "normal".

Same issue! I just bought my truck the end of May and have less than 2000 miles on it. I noticed this sound initially when I had my windows down like what the heck is this noise. It’s happens coming up hills while accelerating and mostly when making right turns while on the gas. My husband heard it as well. We were thinking it was a mechanical issue. I see that I am not the only one experiencing. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Since no one is having success with getting the problem resolved, maybe I should cancel my service appt tomorrow. Seems like a waste a time. However, it’s a pretty annoying sound and I feel like people turn their heads as well like what the heck is that sound! Ugh! Please keep updates on this forum. So glad I found it.

TylerDH said:

i am hearing this too, if I let off the gas briefly it goes away as well. kind of a "whining" noise that seems to be coming from the front.

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Yep, I got my 2019 a couple of weeks ago and I was wondering the same thing. Goes away after a few seconds.

Just bought a 2019 4 motion. Noticed this same noise when turning out of my driveway and accelerating. Thought it was a strange noise, so googled it and found this forum and thread. From the other responses ,seems like maybe all the Atlas’ might make this noise, but I hope VW comes with a fix because this is not something that should be a normal noise for a car.

The issue is the transmission not shifting down and causing vibration/noise. I heard from a very good source that the factory is aware and a fix is coming out, or perhaps it is already out. Some covers/plugs for the transmission and possibly new transmission mapping. Hope to get mine done as soon as possible.

fjcampa said:

The issue is the transmission not shifting down and causing vibration/noise. I heard from a very good source that the factory is aware and a fix is coming out, or perhaps it is already out. Some covers/plugs for the transmission and possibly new transmission mapping. Hope to get mine done as soon as possible.

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+1 for the not downshifting soon enough. I went camping last week in some hills and when playing with the manual shift (tiptronic) was able to reproduce it on demand 100% of the time...it wanted to climb hills in too low a gear and downshifting to the correct gear immediately made the noise stop.

There is a way to change shift settings from either normal or eco...eco is terrible with this issue. Have not tried normal too much, because fuel milage suffered to much to use this setting....I wasn't aware of the noise when I used normal...

Chillax said:

+1 for the not downshifting soon enough. I went camping last week in some hills and when playing with the manual shift (tiptronic) was able to reproduce it on demand 100% of the time...it wanted to climb hills in too low a gear and downshifting to the correct gear immediately made the noise stop.

There is a way to change shift settings from either normal or eco...eco is terrible with this issue. Have not tried normal too much, because fuel milage suffered to much to use this setting....I wasn't aware of the noise when I used normal...

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The mpg diff between normal/eco/sport is negligible at best - it's mainly how you drive - I achieved 25 mpg over 1100 miles on a recent trip using Sport mode - it's all I drive it in. Regardless of sport/normal/eco, the tranny will not shift down to 1/2 to prevent the noise everyone hears - you can manually do it and offroad mode handles it but you don't drive it in that one on the road.