Volkswagen Atlas Forum banner

2021 Atlas Brake Grinding at Start Up Only

7815 Views 36 Replies 24 Participants Last post by  tts_vw
I searched the forums, but couldn't find anything about this specific issue.

My 2021 Atlas R has been having a braking issue ever since I got it. I got it new in the middle of 2021, so have had it about 1-1/2 years, and have had this issue ever since.
When I start driving the vehicle after it has been sitting for a little while (anywhere between a couple hours to overnight), the first few times I use the brakes, it sounds and feels like the brakes. are grinding. There is a loud metallic grinding noise until I come to a full stop. This will last for several miles, and eventually go away. My concern is that the brakes are getting worn out way quicker than they should. I'm not heavy on the brakes, and only have 16k miles on the car, but like I said, this has been a problem since I got the car. The frustration is that when I bring it into the dealer, they "can't recreate the problem." I image they are jumping in the car as soon as I drop it off, after the brakes are no longer grinding.

Has anyone else had this problem and had it fixed? I don't know what to tell the mechanics when I drop it off because they tell me that the brakes look good. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
1 - 20 of 37 Posts
Noisy cold VW brakes are a thing - just google it. They get some rust on the rotors from moisture and are noisy until it has worn off. It's unlikely there is actually anything wrong but as always with brakes, easy to have them looked at/look yourself.
  • Like
Reactions: 3
I searched the forums, but couldn't find anything about this specific issue. My 2021 Atlas R has been having a braking issue ever since I got it. I got it new in the middle of 2021, so have had it about 1-1/2 years, and have had this issue ever since. When I start driving the vehicle after it has been sitting for a little while (anywhere between a couple hours to overnight), the first few times I use the brakes, it sounds and feels like the gears are grinding. There is a loud metallic grinding noise until I come to a full stop. This will last for 4-5 miles, and eventually go away. My concern is that the brakes are getting worn out way quicker than they should. I'm not heavy on the brakes, and only have 16k miles on the car, but like I said, this has been a problem since I got the car. The frustration is that when I bring it into the dealer, they "can't recreate the problem." I image they are jumping in the car as soon as I drop it off, after the brakes are no longer grinding. Has anyone else had this problem and had it fixed? I don't know what to tell the mechanics when I drop it off because they tell me that everything looks good with regards to the brakes. Any suggestions? Thanks!
I am having the same issue!! It lasts longer than just a few miles for me. I have a 2021 VW Atlas. Bought it in Aug 2020. The rotors had to be replaced at 20K miles! Then this grinding started. Took it in yesterday to the dealership and they advised that this is a known issue. They just told me everything looked fine and dusted off my brakes.They said they are looking into a “fix” for it bc there’s nothing they can do right now. He mentioned some metal inside the brake pads rubbing with the rotors but it won’t ruin the rotors. Looks like this car is going back! Didn’t pay all this money to have my new car sounds like it’s falling apart.
I am having the same issue!! It lasts longer than just a few miles for me. I have a 2021 VW Atlas. Bought it in Aug 2020. The rotors had to be replaced at 20K miles! Then this grinding started. Took it in yesterday to the dealership and they advised that this is a known issue. They just told me everything looked fine and dusted off my brakes.They said they are looking into a “fix” for it bc there’s nothing they can do right now. He mentioned some metal inside the brake pads rubbing with the rotors but it won’t ruin the rotors. Looks like this car is going back! Didn’t pay all this money to have my new car sounds like it’s falling apart.
Worse case is - a set of pads is less than $100 and you can slap them in yourself easily DIY. I know folks want it all covered under warranty etc. but your time has value and multipe dealer trips is time consuming when ytou know the answer - "normal" - why bother...I suggest Centric Posi-Quiet from Rockauto. Mine are zero dust/quiet. Even if you had to pay an indy shop to slap them in and you bring the pads, this is not very much money. Just a realistic option.
  • Like
Reactions: 2
I searched the forums, but couldn't find anything about this specific issue. My 2021 Atlas R has been having a braking issue ever since I got it. I got it new in the middle of 2021, so have had it about 1-1/2 years, and have had this issue ever since. When I start driving the vehicle after it has been sitting for a little while (anywhere between a couple hours to overnight), the first few times I use the brakes, it sounds and feels like the gears are grinding. There is a loud metallic grinding noise until I come to a full stop. This will last for 4-5 miles, and eventually go away. My concern is that the brakes are getting worn out way quicker than they should. I'm not heavy on the brakes, and only have 16k miles on the car, but like I said, this has been a problem since I got the car. The frustration is that when I bring it into the dealer, they "can't recreate the problem." I image they are jumping in the car as soon as I drop it off, after the brakes are no longer grinding. Has anyone else had this problem and had it fixed? I don't know what to tell the mechanics when I drop it off because they tell me that everything looks good with regards to the brakes. Any suggestions? Thanks!
I have the exact same problem with Atlas 2021 model. I took it to dealer a few times and they said there is nothing wrong with it. I am just gonna drive for another three years and will never get VW ever again.
I searched the forums, but couldn't find anything about this specific issue.

My 2021 Atlas R has been having a braking issue ever since I got it. I got it new in the middle of 2021, so have had it about 1-1/2 years, and have had this issue ever since.
When I start driving the vehicle after it has been sitting for a little while (anywhere between a couple hours to overnight), the first few times I use the brakes, it sounds and feels like the brakes. are grinding. There is a loud metallic grinding noise until I come to a full stop. This will last for several miles, and eventually go away. My concern is that the brakes are getting worn out way quicker than they should. I'm not heavy on the brakes, and only have 16k miles on the car, but like I said, this has been a problem since I got the car. The frustration is that when I bring it into the dealer, they "can't recreate the problem." I image they are jumping in the car as soon as I drop it off, after the brakes are no longer grinding.

Has anyone else had this problem and had it fixed? I don't know what to tell the mechanics when I drop it off because they tell me that the brakes look good. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
The brakes shops I took mine to said the pads are fine it's just that the car manufacturer installed cheap ceramic brakes to save money. Ceramic brakes will squeak and make grinding noise with just a little dust on them. Of course they wanted to charge me almost $700 to replace them. I just went online and ordered a set of new pads and will have an independent mechanic install them.
I"m having the same issue. Came online to search this problem and behold find you all having the same issue. I've called my dealership and they told me there is nothing they can do. So, i guess i'll just have to replace it myself. I am never buying VW again. Been having issues and recalls ever since I bought the car new in 2021.
Same issue here! 2022 Atlas with 6K on it and the brakes sound like they are metal on metal early in the driving cycle. Interesting thing is, my wife previously owned a 2012 VW EOS that had the same issue. With both vehicles, they dealer said they are "self cleaning" and that is a normal thing. After any "film" or corrosion is cleaned off and they heat up, it should stop. This will be the last VW that sits in my garage for sure. Dealer told me today, that this week alone they have had 14 Atlas' in the shop for this very reason.
Same issue here! 2022 Atlas with 6K on it and the brakes sound like they are metal on metal early in the driving cycle. Interesting thing is, my wife previously owned a 2012 VW EOS that had the same issue. With both vehicles, they dealer said they are "self cleaning" and that is a normal thing. After any "film" or corrosion is cleaned off and they heat up, it should stop. This will be the last VW that sits in my garage for sure. Dealer told me today, that this week alone they have had 14 Atlas' in the shop for this very reason.
A set of Euro ceramic brake pads sorts this for about $100....
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Omg I thought I was the only one with this issue. 2021 Atlas not even 7k miles!!
Same issue as everyone above stated. My Atlas isn’t a year old and it has been a disaster from the beginning. I’m also having major issues with the computer display and functions. I’ll never buy an Atlas or VW again, and I’ve got plans to trade it in early 2023. What a disappointing purchase.
Same issue here - My first VW experience and I'm so disappointed!
2022 Atlas that I've had for six months, 7,000 miles on it. Metal on metal grinding sound nearly every time I touch the brakes.
The dealership I purchased from is an hour and a half from my home so I called a few local dealerships to look at it. They all wanted to charge me a $250 inspection fee just to look at it, even after reminding them this is a brand new vehicle. I finally drove the 140 miles round trip to the dealership I purchased from (just to avoid the extra fees) and they told me they could spray the pads with a "hardening agent" but that's all they could do, that the car is safe to drive and I should just deal with the noise. Apparently it's a well known issue and the only way to resolve it is to buy my own aftermarket brake pads and pay someone to install them. As a single mom of three young kids I have a hard time believing I'm driving them around in a "safe" vehicle. How is this acceptable? With all the recalls on this vehicle why aren't the brake pads one of them?
I also have issues with the car shutting off whenever it feels like it and requiring a manual restart, In the middle of intersections, etc.
Have any of you contacted an attorney for advice or taken the issue to corporate? I'm curious what kind of feedback you're getting.
Sorry you're all having to deal with this!
See less See more
I am having the same issue!! It lasts longer than just a few miles for me. I have a 2021 VW Atlas. Bought it in Aug 2020. The rotors had to be replaced at 20K miles! Then this grinding started. Took it in yesterday to the dealership and they advised that this is a known issue. They just told me everything looked fine and dusted off my brakes.They said they are looking into a “fix” for it bc there’s nothing they can do right now. He mentioned some metal inside the brake pads rubbing with the rotors but it won’t ruin the rotors. Looks like this car is going back! Didn’t pay all this money to have my new car sounds like it’s falling apart.
I’d say it’s normal. Mine does it also
I searched the forums, but couldn't find anything about this specific issue.

My 2021 Atlas R has been having a braking issue ever since I got it. I got it new in the middle of 2021, so have had it about 1-1/2 years, and have had this issue ever since.
When I start driving the vehicle after it has been sitting for a little while (anywhere between a couple hours to overnight), the first few times I use the brakes, it sounds and feels like the brakes. are grinding. There is a loud metallic grinding noise until I come to a full stop. This will last for several miles, and eventually go away. My concern is that the brakes are getting worn out way quicker than they should. I'm not heavy on the brakes, and only have 16k miles on the car, but like I said, this has been a problem since I got the car. The frustration is that when I bring it into the dealer, they "can't recreate the problem." I image they are jumping in the car as soon as I drop it off, after the brakes are no longer grinding.

Has anyone else had this problem and had it fixed? I don't know what to tell the mechanics when I drop it off because they tell me that the brakes look good. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
I’d say it’s normal mine doe it also
This is simply a pad compound issue, there isn't anything dangerous or unsafe about it. Go out, get going 60, and apply the brakes HARD engaging ABS. Noise should be gone.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I have the same issue on my 21 Atlas R-line Cross Sport. Not a big deal. For all you people that say never again VW, I’ve owned probably upwards of 100 or more cars in my lifetime and I can assure you, this is not isolated to VW. Many other manufacturers brakes do the same thing. The pads they put on are cheap. Fix the problem by putting a good quality, low dust, low squeal aftermarket pads on and problem solved.
I installed new ceramic pads and drilled and slotted rotors a month after bought the 2019 SE V6 back in Feb 2020. Of course, I did it myself to save the labor. I would try the bring the speed up to 50-60 on a low volume road and slam the brakes to a stop and repeat 4 times to a stop each time.
Mine does the same thing...it's just rust here. Perfectly normal: you have exposed rotor steel from the previous driving session and it's going to rust. It has to rust. If it stops rusting you've broken the laws of chemical oxidation and will be a billionaire from whatever you just did.

Every vehicle I've ever had has done this to some degree. It depends on the weather and low long since it was last driven.
I searched the forums, but couldn't find anything about this specific issue.

My 2021 Atlas R has been having a braking issue ever since I got it. I got it new in the middle of 2021, so have had it about 1-1/2 years, and have had this issue ever since.
When I start driving the vehicle after it has been sitting for a little while (anywhere between a couple hours to overnight), the first few times I use the brakes, it sounds and feels like the brakes. are grinding. There is a loud metallic grinding noise until I come to a full stop. This will last for several miles, and eventually go away. My concern is that the brakes are getting worn out way quicker than they should. I'm not heavy on the brakes, and only have 16k miles on the car, but like I said, this has been a problem since I got the car. The frustration is that when I bring it into the dealer, they "can't recreate the problem." I image they are jumping in the car as soon as I drop it off, after the brakes are no longer grinding.

Has anyone else had this problem and had it fixed? I don't know what to tell the mechanics when I drop it off because they tell me that the brakes look good. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
My 2022 Atlas is doing the same thing - less than 6 months of ownership and this problem is happening. The dealership said that I could pay $400 for new rotors. On a brand new car...not the experience I was hoping for.
Can anyone attest that they changed their break pads and it solved this issue? Any suggestions as to which pads someone used in the swap? I have a 2021.5. I get the grinding noise and an annoying squeak that lasts through out every driving session. VW dealer told me it was normal and my pads and rotors were fine. I've owned several cars and none of this sounds normal.
1 - 20 of 37 Posts
Top