[KarstGeo]

VW buying your Atlas back is not the same as going through your stage's Lemon Laws to force them to do this. Ideally, VW just makes you whole and handles it but in the cases where it won't and you think you have a case, look in the Lemon Law for your state. You may need an attorney. You have to follow their guidance i.e. 3x in for the same thing and not fixed or X number of days out of service in the first Y months etc. Keep in mind, a rattle or noise isn't going to win you this - it needs to be something substantial and meaningful.

 

[KarstGeo]

Outstanding responses and input everyone, I appreciate it! Please see my thoughts and additional info below; I've quoted each comments...



What were your issues?


My state does have a lemon law on new cars (which mine is). The dealership replaced my torque converter and it still makes a very loud sound when I accelerate. I have told VW that I will wait and see what their verdict is on buyback, and that if needed I will indeed be contacting the state's consumer affair department.


Good points. I have been respectful (although also heavy handed when needed). For example VW Corp and the dealership said that the sound and component is under allowable tolerances of how the car is manufactured and for its intended use...however I gave firm pushback and said I disagree and they need to revisit decision. VW Corp is actively looking at the case again and said they will let me know on decision by no later than end of this month...



I disagree, of the course the "rattle noise" can win me this...know why? Because it isn't just a "rattle noise"; its a noise coming from my Torque Converter. The noise is coming from metal on metal; it is not normal and will directly affect my transmission.



What was the issue with your Atlas that caused them to buy it back?

I understand your concern as we have discussed on this board before w/r to the noise. However, I disagree with your assessment. You are getting a noise related to transmission shift mapping - there is not metal/metal wear going on - it's a hydraulic pump noise from cavitation (this is my opinion). So they buy your Atlas back b/c you don't like the noise (understandable). Now what do they do with the other bazillion owners that also have this noise and have complained about it? VW had said repeatedly said that this is not an issue. You had your t-converter replaced and that didn't fix it (b/c it's the transmission logic with this hardware). Just trying to set a realistic expectation for you but you will do as you are goign to do. Good luck and am certainly interested in the outcome/what VW says! Mine does this and I hear it maybe once per drive, maybe. This in no way would justify the hassle/money loss associated with a buy-back b/c they are not going to give you all your money back - you will eat the depreciation at some level.

 

[KarstGeo]

Hi sir, I appreciate your reply and input; as I do value it.


Let me ask you something, if the noise is coming due to transmission mapping (logic)...doesn't that mean that improper mapping such as the car being in the incorrect gear and hanging onto that gear for longer (thus creating the sound)...doesn't that mean that noise (even if from cavitation) is not normal? I get it that there is an explanation for the noise, I'm not looking for that.


What I'm looking for is what I should deduce from that sound...should I deduce that the sound is a warning that if present long enough; it will add to wear and tear earlier than normal on warrantable components? The real concern being if things happen OUTSIDE warranty.

How do you convince VW that the noise/operating condition isn't normal and therefore a problem? What evidence do you have/proof that this noise will lead to a catastrophic failure in the future? To be totally honest, I think you are over-analyzing/worrying about this - you have a 6/72K warranty. It appears that most if not all of them make some type of noise (varies in loudness) under these conditions. I'd say if VW came out in 5 years that they are re-programming transmissions b/c of this issue and you were outside of your warranty, it woudl extend to you, especially if you have it documented with VW while it was under warranty. Again, I think you are over-worrying here and I find it highly unlikely that you would get a buyback on this noise - so many have complained with no action.

 

[KarstGeo]

UPDATE

VW Corp got back to me; they will not offer a buyback on my car. I disagree with the notion that just because Atlas' present this noise that it is normal; no it is not normal. That is just VW's way of skirting the fact that they dropped the ball on this one. For any car this sound should not exist, but particularly for one close to $50K price it SHOULD NOT exist! I will be contacting my state's consumer affairs department as a next step

KarstGeo, I don't think this is me overworrying as much as it is me trying to be proactive for myself and for all consumers interested in this vehicle where people put their hard earned dollars into!

They will not reprogram the transmission software as it will change their emissions/fuel economy ratings for that vehicle. This is just my take. There are some class action law suits starting up for similar noises with the same tranny in the Jetta and Tiguan - may want to look into that. My feeling is they are all related to the same thing - low RPM lugging in an auto making noise. Interesting note, I had a Nissan Pathfinder (has a CVT tranny) for the last few weeks for a trip out of town for work. At ~1K RPM (same type of situation, tries to upshift too far for the RPM) it made...you guessed it...noise. At some point you (or more likely a law firm) would need technical information to form you case against VW i.e. someone that tears it down to find the souce of hte noise and that the noise is causing damage. Good luck!

 

[KarstGeo]

Sadly I still have not been able to have mine reproduce this. It is going in for the annual early next month and will tell them that I did hear it and will sea their response

Why is it sad that you don't have this noise? Slow to a near stop, ensure it's in third, RPM~1K, accelerate. My neighbors that I tested did it but much quieter than mine - maybe it is just not that noticeable?

 

[KarstGeo]

Im so happy someone benefit and VW responded. My 2018 has been at the dealer since January 31st 2020 and as for today they don't have the part they say has to be manufacture in order to fix my unit. They also came back to me saying they will not buy back my unit or replace it. For safety issues I no longer want this unit that they cant even fix. I been paying for this car for 5 months and according to them I just have to keep waiting until it can be fixed. In Puerto Rico we don't have lemon law, I ran it through state consumers affairs to see if I have any luck. Keeping my fingers crossed. To this date they haven't even given me a clear diagnostic on the unit. Worst company ever!!! Hate dealing with VW.

What specifically is wrong with it?

 

[KarstGeo]

How much of a voucher did they give you to buy VW or Audi? We like the Q7, but will never buy an Atlas again. Very poorly engineered car. Will be lemon law soon with how many days and times in the shop. Our issue is related to the Adaptive Cruise Control, Maneuvered Braking locking the vehicle up. Bottom line is they had to order a new Engine Control Module for a vehicle that has 8,200 miles. Air conditioning went out first and has been in the shop consistently since the first issue came up. We are just trying to figure out what the heck to do b/c we have been looking at new vehicles, but don’t feel like we can do anything until the buy back is done. We are now coming up on week 2 of 6 weeks according to Region Case Manager.

Is the AC fixed/what is it doing? What does the ACC do wrong? The maneuver braking is going to do that in certain situations, I actually just turned mine off b/c I don't want to have to creep into my driveway each time I come home.

 

[KarstGeo]

The AC is fixed on the vehicle. The manufacturer installed the line incorrectly. Took them 10 days to repair. When we received the vehicle back from the AC issue and 2 recall items, the check engine light came on the same day we got it back. Apparently they didn’t get something tightened correctly, so we said whatever. Literally 1-2 days after we got the Atlas back from the shop with the check engine light, while my wife was driving on the interstate with Adaptive Cruise Control engaged, it suddenly turned off and all the warning lights came on. Could not re-engage the cruise control. After turning the vehicle off we were able to get it to operate again, only temporarily until the lights all came on again while trying to engage the adaptive cruise control. Took it into the shop 3 times prior to our trip to the lake. The dealership said it was fine to take to the lake and had a 4th appointment to get looked after our return. While in route on the trip the ACC worked for about 210 of the 425 miles trip, when the ACC lights all popped on and would not work for the remainder of the trip. Drove 65-70% of the trip without cruise control. This time the lights would not go away when we turned the vehicle on or off. Nonetheless it is still in the shop today waiting for the Engine Control Module to ship from Germany. No ETA on when we are supposed to get. We have met 1 lemon law requirement for being in the shop 4 times for the same issue. We are getting close to meeting the 40 day rule for days in the shop within first year of ownership, currently at day 28. Do not recommend this vehicle. Will not put my family at risk for faulty engineering.

The ACC issue appears to be somewhat common for vehicles that had the catalytic converters swapped out as part of that service campaign. My 2018 just had this done with no issue with the ACC (used it yesterday for 400 miles) and I think it seems to be with the 2019s from reading the forums/FB pages. Has to be an ECU/box code thing as several have reported needing new ECUs. Keep in mind that while your experience has sucked, the majority of owners have had no drama like this/no serious issues like myself. Best of luck with the buy back, be persistent and yes, this is much easier if you meet your state's lemon law requirements b/c it's easier to push VW on it when you know you can fall back on it. Have all your paperwork/documentation to a "T". Have you started a case with VW Customer Care?

 

[KarstGeo]

Yes. I am working with Case Manager. We just got the vehicle back today. Want out of the vehicle. How did ur buyback go?

No buy back here - vehicle has been great for us.

 

[KarstGeo]

There are two Tesla's in our family and they have issues. I have owned Hondas and Acuras, the transmissions suck and wouldn't buy another. Toyotas are probably the best engineered, but when Toyota wanted $4400 to replace my 4Runner exhaust from the cat back, I traded it in and bought an Atlas. Corvettes, etc. Nothing is perfect and technology has allowed cars to get cheaper over the years, if you consider the standard features added. For example, you can't change the filter in the transmission anymore on most cars, there isn't one. It has been eliminated to reduce cost. Automakers are going to buy parts from China or a third world country at a fraction of the cost to stay competitive and stay in business, which benefits you, the consumer. The main difference is the warranty. If it breaks during the warranty period, they are obligated to fix it. Find a good dealership and if they can't fix it, my advice is to find another. You can probably use this forum to ask for dealer recommendations in your area.
BTW, although not perfect, my Atlas has not given me any problems, just some annoyances.

Well said and v. true. Actually, there is a filter in the Atlas Aisin 8-speed auto - you remove the pan when you service it to access it. I plan on DIY'ing mine when it hits the 80K service mark.