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2024 Atlast is the worst car I've ever owned

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31K views 73 replies 39 participants last post by  Panzer Driver  
#1 ·
Does anyone actually like their Atlas? Just bought a brand new Atlas back in June and have put about 2,000 miles on it. Check engine lights have come on twice, the screen goes static like an old school TV, and it just seems like to lack power and sounds terrible driving up hills.

Already has been to the dealership twice - they claimed they replaced the thermostat, updated the software for the infotainment screen, replaced the water pump. So after having the car for about 60 days, I've been without the car for nearly 10 days over that duration.

After getting it back from the dealership both times, the car drove fine for about a week and seemed to lose engine power and begin having electrical type problems again. Got the car back last week and I'm dropping it off again tomorrow, for the third time, and hopefully just selling it back to them but wanted to get some feedback before doing so.

Our main vehicle is a 2023 Chevy Suburban Z71 and we traded in our 2020 Volvo XC90 for this car - this car is complete trash compared to those 2 vehicles and really regretting trading in the Volvo now.
 
#3 ·
So, even though the ECU makes the engine compatible with 87 octane gasoline, the horsepower and torque specs that are quoted on the VW site were measured using 91 octane. Long story short, the ECU (engine computer) can compensate for predetonation with lower octane fuels, but you'll only get the maximum power if you use higher octane. You won't lose energy to super-advanced timings, etc. This is why I love my 2019 Atlas with the naturally aspirated VR6 engine. It, too, does better with 91 octane, but it doesn't lose as much power as the 2.0T does when you use 87 octane.
 
#5 ·
We have a 2021 and have had no issues. It is the R line V6 SE with tech. We’ve towed camping trailers and pop-ups. Loaded our front runner roof rack with gear. Several road trips: Yellowstone, Smoky Mountains, upper peninsula. We’ve also had three XC 90s. Currently have a 2013 XC 90. Our V6 Atlas is more nimble and responsive compared to the XC 90. We have more interior space with the VW Atlas as well. The third row really helps out. My worst car was a 2005 Lexus ES 330.
 
#6 ·
Well, I hate to hear those comments because my experience has been just the opposite! I bought my 2024 Atlas SEL Premium R-Line almost a year ago and absolutely love it...❤ I now have about 4,500 miles on it and it has performed "flawlessly!" I have NOT had one single issue since driving it away from the dealership. There are a couple of things that I think VW should fix to improve it, but they are not anything big. In fact, I have been so impressed with my '24, I have considered trading for a '25! Sorry you have had such a bad experience...☹
 
#16 · (Edited)
Well, I hate to hear those comments because my experience has been just the opposite! I bought my 2024 Atlas SEL Premium R-Line almost a year ago and absolutely love it...❤ I now have about 4,500 miles on it and it has performed "flawlessly!" I have NOT had one single issue since driving it away from the dealership. There are a couple of things that I think VW should fix to improve it, but they are not anything big. In fact, I have been so impressed with my '24, I have considered trading for a '25! Sorry you have had such a bad experience...☹
I purchased our 2023 Atlas SEL Cross Sport in Feb. 2023. Like Klondike I have had no issues with the car at all. I am really impressed with how it handles in the Alaska winter road conditions. I would certainly refer this automobile to anybody. I'm an old guy and there is a bit of a learning curve to actually using all the bells and whistles it has to offer, especially if you happen to be a control freak like myself. I'm sorry to hear that others have problems, but with just shy of 10K miles and no problems, I would buy this car again in a heart beat. Good Luck to all that are having problems, I hope your Gremlins go back to Ford.

Edited 10.9.2024 Now with almost 10K miles no issues except this.. Our local dealership only has 1 mechanic for all the VW's up here, Ready for an oil change and they are booking out through January.. What.. Can I go to a local place and get my oil changed or will that mess up my warranty?
 
#8 ·
2024 Premium R Line SEL we bought in June. Got about 6500 miles on it. Only complaint I have is the bass in the stereo is garbage. But the rest of the car has been a great experience.
We had an issue with GPS doing what it wanted. But we got this fixed by just messing around with the factory nav for a bit. Then CarPlay worked fine after that. We have had a few issues with the infotainment system locking up too but that seems to have fixed itself lately too.
We just came off a 2021 Grand Cherokee L - turned in after 9 months as a lemon. 2023 Pathfinder Premium - 12 months lemon. Now 2024 Atlas has been a dream compared to those. So maybe I’m a bit biased. But so far I’m super picky about my cars and we have been really impressed. I have a lead foot. It’s got plenty of power.
If it’s not enough, find someone who can tune it for you. 91 octane is forced after that but you should be able to get 85 more HP if you do it right. Void that warranty early and make a race car out of it.
 
#10 ·
traded my 2022 atlas v6 SEL p for the 2024. I turned off engine noise with OBD. Tuned it,and performs flawlessly since. Now it goes! 😂 I did apr 93 octane tune. Transforms atlas into quite the suv. No leaks, noises, nothing. I’ve always been happy with Volkswagen vehicles, I’ve owned Toyota, gmc, Nissan, Honda, Volvo, bmw. Always sway back to VW. sounds like you have a few software glitches, but not a reason to think otherwise of the manufacture.
 
#14 ·
I have a 2024 ACS SEL Premium R Line. This is the worst new car I have ever purchased. It has about 3k miles on it now and I’m taking it in for service next week. I have a rattle in the dash, sounds like it’s coming from the heads-up display. The interior trim panel on the driver side C pillar is also vibrating/rattling and there is a rattle coming from the liftgate. The tech in the car is glitchy and takes turn freezing, loosing connection, or just not working. I have the Harmon Kardon stereo and it sucks. There is no bass even though there is a subwoofer in the back. The center channel pops like it has a bad ground when you start the car. And the side view mirrors don’t lower when in reverse (yes the feature is activated).
 
#21 ·
Update. Took it to the dealer and they had it for 3 days. Looks like the fixed the vibration coming from the C pillar but they didn’t fix anything else. And I was informed that only certain cars come with the R Line dash screen which sounds to me like they didn’t know what I was talking about and fed me some BS. It’ll be going back to have the rest of the stuff fixed.
 
#18 ·
I also have a 2024 ACS SEL Premium R Line. I can concur, the absolute worst vehicle I have ever owned. From oil leaks to infotainment nightmares. Four months old, 1500 miles (593 miles have been driven back and forth to the dealership!) Backordered parts galore. 37 days for an infotainment screen and 31 days for an ECU. 28 cumulative days in the shop. Trying to lemon law now. They are fighting it! It's unreal. You would think they would want this thing off the road. If they don't buy it back I'm trading it in and some poor sucker is gonna buy it. So irresponsible of VW.
 
#19 ·
I have a 2019 atlas se w/Tech V6 and a cd player in glove box and a SD card reader for media. Have had a few minor issues and actually love it. Have been asked by the dealer to upgrade to a 2L turbo. NO WAY. I had an audi A4 and the 2L Engine ate itself with around 100000 miles. And have watched podcasts. About the lack of reliability of that engine. In 2 years when the warranty is up, I will buy a Kia tuluride, Hyundai palasade or Genesis with a 10 year drive train warranty.
 
#28 ·
Hello. I have a ’22 SE w/Tech V6 4Motion. I don’t like this car. Bunch of electrical problems and poor MPG are some of my main complaints about this car. The infotainment randomly crashes while driving sometimes. Apple CarPlay half the time can’t connect the first time. Those are just some of the issues. I really don’t like this car at all. When the lease ends I will be 100% not be getting another one of these. It hasn’t been a positive experience.
 
#29 ·
I’m not positive, but I believe APR will pick up the engine warranty for its remaining term.
Does anyone actually like their Atlas? Just bought a brand new Atlas back in June and have put about 2,000 miles on it. Check engine lights have come on twice, the screen goes static like an old school TV, and it just seems like to lack power and sounds terrible driving up hills.

Already has been to the dealership twice - they claimed they replaced the thermostat, updated the software for the infotainment screen, replaced the water pump. So after having the car for about 60 days, I've been without the car for nearly 10 days over that duration.

After getting it back from the dealership both times, the car drove fine for about a week and seemed to lose engine power and begin having electrical type problems again. Got the car back last week and I'm dropping it off again tomorrow, for the third time, and hopefully just selling it back to them but wanted to get some feedback before doing so.

Our main vehicle is a 2023 Chevy Suburban Z71 and we traded in our 2020 Volvo XC90 for this car - this car is complete trash compared to those 2 vehicles and really regretting trading in the Volvo now.
so you decided to create a profile to discuss other manufacturers. Sorry for the bad luck you’re having but it’s any vehicle that can have issues. However, there was a reason that you bought the vehicle instead of another Volvo or a Chevrolet, correct? Hope things work out for you. Best of luck.
 
#32 ·
have a 2018 se 2.0T with tech. We are at about 98,000 now. I specifically wanted the 2.0T for the MPG. Now I have never driven an Atlas V6 but I am impressed with the power of the 2.0T. Not sure if they were tuned different then but my lead foot wife gets about 20 to 22 combined and we have gotten 30+ mpg on a trip with 5 of us from Southern CA to Northern AZ University. Kept the speed limit. Yes, you can tell you are loaded down but still ok for me. Have not really had any issues except an o2 sensor along with fuel injection cleaning. Regular maintenance of course. We have had some coolant use but they keep trying to tell me it's normal. Max to min reading on reservoir in about 15k miles. Not sure I believe them. I have never had a car use coolant.
 
#37 ·
I am 5 months and 15000+ miles into my top of the line 2024 Atlas R-Line premium. Mechanically, its great. Not a single issue and I drive 3k miles a month. No power issues. The vehicle is feature rich and the premium sound system is premium. The info center all works fine, and does a lot. But a few redesigns in the electronic info center would make the system better. Some functions require 2 or 3 taps, when it could be one tap. Milage is as advertised.... 26 overall. You can negotiate this car to around $46k. A lot of car compared to other similarly priced cars.