[vbrad26@yahoo.com]

I too am now having this issue with 6000 miles on 2019 Atlas. Service department is 2 weeks out and they state they cannot order the part until they diagnosis the issue but it is on back order for other customers with no date known. They state it is safe to drive. Thoughts on this? Also, was this covered by warranty?

That sounds like a typical response from a dealer.
I have also heard the same about the parts being on b/o.
It would be covered under warranty.
I am not going to tell you that it is safe, but I noticed the noise the first week of owning the car (10 months ago now and 11,000 miles) and have left it alone.
So take what you want from that statement lol

 

[John R]

2019 VW Atlas SE. 4 cylinder. 5500 miles and on third steering rack already. After extensive drives, the steering once again is making noise. Also had a check engine light which required fuel tank and evaporator canister to be replaced. Also had a rattle in drivers side pillar and it turned out that one side of the adjustable shoulder harness wasn’t even in the track. According to the dealer, all these problems seem to be related to final assembly in Chattanooga vs defective parts from other factories.

 

[keenth]

I just noticed the same noise from the steering few days ago on my 2019 Atlas SE with 8000 miles and confirmed from Dealer today that it is the steering rack issue. Have to wait for two months for the parts. The dealer said that the new steering rack will be the upgraded version and hopefully the noise will not come back once it is replaced. No recall for this issue so far. This really sucks!

 

[KristinaVW]

Just got it back and it seems to have fixed the problem. No noise.

Had same noise, less exaggerated.. they replaced rack. And months later the sound is back! I’m not happy and now I have to take it back again so they can see what’s wrong with it

 

[KarstGeo]

Had same noise, less exaggerated.. they replaced rack. And months later the sound is back! I’m not happy and now I have to take it back again so they can see what’s wrong with it

I see you have had quite a few posts now on this - do you have a video so we can hear the noise?

 

[KristinaVW]

I do! I’m just unsure how to post it on here

 

[KarstGeo]

I do! I’m just unsure how to post it on here

Easiest is to put it on youtube and link it.

 

[Julius2020]

The first post here, was the first post for that owner and it was very helpful for me knowing that I was not alone with the steering rack issue. I just stated my facts. Great car overall but I am having issues and you are not even posting any solutions or suggestions. Sad.

* Update * After 2 months on the dealership waiting, the steering rack was replaced. It was ok at the beginning but now after 4 months it started again and it’s worst! This is so frustrating, anyone else with the same issue? Any suggestions besides going back to the dealership? Thank you.

 

[MCFC_Rufio]

I purchased a 2019 SEL back in January 2020 and experienced this issue with 3 steering racks. Got so fed up with the issue and the parking sensors being faulty (going off when a car was 10ft plus away and engaging the collision avoidance brakes going over speed humps not even 1 inch over the ground) traded it in for the 2021 SEL Atlas in July 2020. The 2021 model has the exact same issue. Once the car warms up steering at low speed or stand still causes the creaking and popping noises.

 

[KristinaVW]

I purchased a 2019 SEL back in January 2020 and experienced this issue with 3 steering racks. Got so fed up with the issue and the parking sensors being faulty (going off when a car was 10ft plus away and engaging the collision avoidance brakes going over speed humps not even 1 inch over the ground) traded it in for the 2021 SEL Atlas in July 2020. The 2021 model has the exact same issue. Once the car warms up steering at low speed or stand still causes the creaking and popping noises.

I have a 2019 SEL currently undergoing the exact same issue. They have replaced the rack already. It was good for about 4 months then back. I hear the noise exactly as you described!! I am worried they can't fix it and what steps I need to take. My car only has 20,000 miles on it and we are considering trading it in for another brand of car. I am beyond frustrated and don't know what to do. I have had other issues, one being dust boot covers that were creating a super obnoxious noise on the front end. But they fixed it. The car is noisy. It seemed nice at first, but starting to feel cheap now. However I got a great price for it and it has a lot to offer so I'm torn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[KristinaVW]

Easiest is to put it on youtube and link it.

i will try to do this

 

[KarstGeo]

I have a 2019 SEL currently undergoing the exact same issue. They have replaced the rack already. It was good for about 4 months then back. I hear the noise exactly as you described!! I am worried they can't fix it and what steps I need to take. My car only has 20,000 miles on it and we are considering trading it in for another brand of car. I am beyond frustrated and don't know what to do. I have had other issues, one being dust boot covers that were creating a super obnoxious noise on the front end. But they fixed it. The car is noisy. It seemed nice at first, but starting to feel cheap now. However I got a great price for it and it has a lot to offer so I'm torn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Have you considered your state's lemon law to push VW to buy it back if they can't fix the rack? They only get so many tries to get it fixed. There is nothing physically wrong with it correct? Just some creaking?

 

[KristinaVW]

Have you considered your state's lemon law to push VW to buy it back if they can't fix the rack? They only get so many tries to get it fixed. There is nothing physically wrong with it correct? Just some creaking?

It's in perfect condition other than the rack. the door makes a bit of a noise but no one can hear it but me, and it's something I don't even want dealership to deal with at this point because my main focus is the steering. I was hoping to not go lemon law route. I can trade it in and basically walk away with it, but I lose a years worth of payments and the money I put down to cover taxes and fees. Do you know if buy back offers more money than to say if I were to trade it in? Was yours considered a "lemon" since they couldn't fix it? Just curious of what VW did since they couldn't fix it I definitely don't want another VW

 

[KristinaVW]

It's in perfect condition other than the rack. the door makes a bit of a noise but no one can hear it but me, and it's something I don't even want dealership to deal with at this point because my main focus is the steering. I was hoping to not go lemon law route. I can trade it in and basically walk away with it, but I lose a years worth of payments and the money I put down to cover taxes and fees. Do you know if buy back offers more money than to say if I were to trade it in? Was yours considered a "lemon" since they couldn't fix it? Just curious of what VW did since they couldn't fix it I definitely don't want another VW

Sorry just realized I thought I replied to someone who was having the same issue as me.

 

[KristinaVW]

* Update * After 2 months on the dealership waiting, the steering rack was replaced. It was ok at the beginning but now after 4 months it started again and it’s worst! This is so frustrating, anyone else with the same issue? Any suggestions besides going back to the dealership? Thank you.

Same here! What are you doing with it now?

 

[Animated_Zombie]

I have 2019 Atlas SEL with 8k miles. Had to have the “Steering Rack” replaced. Definitely improved the steering, and handling. But why isn’t this a recall?

There's a TSB: 48-20-01 - Electromechanical Power Steering - Creaking Noise when Turning. Check the attachment.

 

[Animated_Zombie]

* Update * After 2 months on the dealership waiting, the steering rack was replaced. It was ok at the beginning but now after 4 months it started again and it’s worst! This is so frustrating, anyone else with the same issue? Any suggestions besides going back to the dealership? Thank you.

Going back to the VW dealership is your best option if your vehicle is still under warranty. You can try a different VW dealership.

 

[Animated_Zombie]

We are also having a steering issue with ours. Anyone have anything similar to this.

I have the exact same problem, after 11k miles. During very low speeds (less than 3 mph) the steering wheel makes a creaking sound when turning it counterclockwise. I noticed the sound when parking the car.

First dealership: I demonstrated the sound and showed the service advisor that the sound is coming from the suspension or axle area.
On the invoice: “Verified concern, noise caused by trim pieces rubbing on steering wheel. Removed and adjusted steering column covers, verified on test drive, no more noise from steering wheel”

Soon after I heard the sound again. Less than an hour after picking up the car. Instead of going back I went to a different dealership.

Second dealership: I demonstrated the sound and showed the service advisor that the sound is coming from the suspension or axle area.
On the invoice: “Tech performed technical diag road test, noise coming from power steering rack. Apply TSB 48-20-01 SOP. Vehicle will return for repair.”
Second dealership didn’t order a steering rack but instead ordered 1 steering gear seal, part #5Q0-423-187-F, and 6 hexagon flange screws (subframe), part # N-107-854-01.

 

[Zeus0886]

Going to make an appointment at the dealer. Im at 7k miles.

 

[WizAtlas]

I have the exact same problem, after 11k miles. During very low speeds (less than 3 mph) the steering wheel makes a creaking sound when turning it counterclockwise. I noticed the sound when parking the car.

First dealership: I demonstrated the sound and showed the service advisor that the sound is coming from the suspension or axle area.
On the invoice: “Verified concern, noise caused by trim pieces rubbing on steering wheel. Removed and adjusted steering column covers, verified on test drive, no more noise from steering wheel”

Soon after I heard the sound again. Less than an hour after picking up the car. Instead of going back I went to a different dealership.

Second dealership: I demonstrated the sound and showed the service advisor that the sound is coming from the suspension or axle area.
On the invoice: “Tech performed technical diag road test, noise coming from power steering rack. Apply TSB 48-20-01 SOP. Vehicle will return for repair.”
Second dealership didn’t order a steering rack but instead ordered 1 steering gear seal, part #5Q0-423-187-F, and 6 hexagon flange screws (subframe), part # N-107-854-01.

I had the following done

New stablizer link to address clunking when going over bumps

New steering rack to address loose and noisy coming steering system

New steering clock spring to address the moaning and groaning steering wheel

The drives nice and tight but fingers crossed it just two weeks into fix.