[KarstGeo]

If I knew there were more than a few brand new car owners left stranded on the side of the road due to this issue, and knew it was a batch of them which likely means several could have made their way into those cars with injector failures, I would do the right thing and change all 6 of them.
Also, when you factor in loaner car plus mechanic costs (they have to take half the engine apart-and hope nothing else gets damaged along the way), minus the $150/per each injector cost, doing the right thing is cheaper. And don't forget the perception/word of mouth cost due to the bad experience of a brand new VW owner who now questions whether they will be left out on the highway again knowing they had a faulty injector before, which the company knew about, and could have another failure at any time because only one got changed out. Yeah, I'd replace all 6 in those new cars that show they received bad injectors.

It's logical but just not the way any manufacturer does this. They replace what's broken. Someone has done that math that has much more info that we do and they have decided replacing what is broken is the best business decision. Not trying to be a jerk in this convo, just giving you a realistic perspective. My Atlas through a CEL/EPC and went into limp mode last week on a trip while cruising on the highway, first real hiccup in almost 4 years of ownership - I jsut restarted it and it was cleared. Got home checked codes, fuel pressure issue/misfires....who knows. Hasn't come back. If I go to the dealer with this, they will say "it's working fine now" and they would be right. Should they start replacing things?

 

[KarstGeo]

Well 1 month since the bad fuel injector was fixed. I was told by the dealership that they will only replace them if they are indeed found to be faulty, even though they KNOW that there was a bad batch out there. So now I worry and wait to see if I have other faulty ones or just that one. I am still not planning any long road trips until at least many months from now because I want to be sure this doesn't happen again. I love our Atlas, even though gas mileage isn't so great (bring back Trump gas prices!), but more concerned about long-term reliability still. We shall see.....

This goes for litterally every automobile manufacturer. If you owned a company would you pay to replace every fuel injector on a particular model if they were working properly? Out of all the Atlases on the road as I type this, how many have had this issue? Likely a v. v. small amount. It's just how it goes unfortunately, there is always risk in vehicle ownership and is why they provide a warranty. Sitting around worried about somehtihng that may happen isn't really a great way to go and would be the same for any vehicle you buy. You accept the risk and live you driving life!

 

[KarstGeo]

2019 SE V6 4 Motion and yes

Your problem is simple to sort out - before you shut down your vehicle, turn off the ACC. It's a known issue that at some point VW will get on to. Lots of posts here about this.

 

[KarstGeo]

Year and model? Are you using remote start?

 

[KarstGeo]

Karst

Hey KarstGeo,

So took my Atlas in this morning. Just wanted to follow up with you as it seems better than expected (sometimes reading this forum makes one feel a little negative)!

Issues 1 is normal and there is simply nothing VW can do about it - it's just a trans shift map issue There is a huge thread here in the problems forum about it with some good info for you. - Yep got it - he said he would look at it anyway to see if there was anything they could do

Issue 2 seems just like a normal condition to me at full lock at it sits on the stops. - Same as above

Issue 3 needs attention at the dealer, no idea. ACC Alignment and Calibration needed apparently for $369 - He said that he had the error logs downloaded and these errors occurred due to alignment not done - I can only trust this is coreect - I asked him to also check to make sure that the ACC sensor is not broken (found this common issue on VW's in UK)

Issue 4 needs attention at the dealer, could be strut mounts or sway bar end links both are known issues. - Yes you are correct - the rattling sound is coming from the Sway Bar End links - they are on backorder and are apparently a very common problem

Issue 5 - buy some new wipers, easy. - Done - will see if it makes a difference!

Anyone who has any further feedback on the ACC errors let me know if they also shelled out $370 and it corrected situation.

Thanks

James

Sounds like you got some clarity!

 

[KarstGeo]

Hey thanks for the response. Yes am hoping so too. I shouldn’t be too hasty, but when you have had a Sienna for 8 years or so and nothing ever seemed to go wrong or draw your attention it becomes the benchmark. I guess I was spoiled. Appreciate the information.

Understood but I'd hope that the driving experience with the Atlas is a bit better than the Sienna!

 

[KarstGeo]

Okay so here we go. VW Fan my whole life (I think I am with good company here and grateful to have found this forum under irritating circumstances). Toyota is 'total write off' back in August (shame as I had it 8 years and no issues. Thought 'this is the time I get into another VW - love the Atlas'. Reviews all seem positive for the most part etc etc. Test drove great, find a great one online 7000 miles (2019 SE 4 motion with tech). Bought it in mid August 2020 for $36K 7000 miles SE V6 4 Motion with Tech and Towing - not too bad I thought.

First week in the used one from Autonation Georgia Mall (great place btw) - but only purchased there because for some reason hard to find white models in Asheville (blue and black seem common). Cracking Asheville VW garage (good) so happy to get another one knowing how good they have been with my 2016 GTi (APR dealer also).

Issue ONE: Okay so I am waffling. Back to the first week driving it (Aug) and at low speeds accelerating up my road there is a loud (ish) but not obnoxious wooshing sound (metallic in sound) very similar to others on this forum which lasts about 5 seconds (or longer if you don't accelerate anymore and keep constant at that low speed about 5-10 mph).
Issue TWO: spotted around week 2 turning into a parking space when the steering wheel is almost full lock it judders for a few seconds like it isn't happy - no noise but odd. I later change the steering in the custom settings to 'Light' I think and it improves and hardly does it anymore - NOTE read some others on juddering at higher speeds (60-70 mph) - tried this last night and mine is thankfully rock solid at all speeds and lovely and smooth ride

Issue THREE: On the highway and I would say 8 out of 10 times the ACC shows the orange error (not available for the ACC) - not particularly cold but it was low thirties (degrees F) - any advice anyone can give on this would be great as I obviously love using this and it's annoying as you really don't have any options on the highway without turning it off and on when you next stop.

Issue FOUR: This is the one which really bothers me and when I am going over minor imperfections in the road surfaces (not off road or gravel) or bumps there is a more noticeable clunking rattle from the front suspension - like an empty shoe box clunking. The actual ride is still smooth and it doesn't seem to affect the ride quality but it sounds like it is 10 years old. Most probably wouldn't notice (my wife didn't until I pointed it out) but it doesn't sound right

Issue FIVE: Anyone else got excessively loud front wipers? Probably need replacing but seem excessively loud

Spoke to the dealer on Monday when I took it in for service appointment - they are very helpful and after I had told them about the above they said they would test drive etc and address. The one thing he did know about he said was he seemed to think that the noise from the front suspension may be the 'Sway Bar links' I think that is what he said. He said a few Atlas needed them replacing. As it happened I had to take it home and will take it back in for 2 days next Monday Dec 7th as he didn't have a loaner. I shall keep you all informed.

SO there we are - thanks for anyone reading - great forum under some annoying circumstances - clearly I am not in the same boat as some poor souls who have issues but I am feeling a little sick about paying what is a lot of money for me and feeling as though it's not quite what I would have expected at now 11K miles.

Issues 1 is normal and there is simply nothing VW can do about it - it's just a trans shift map issue There is a huge thread here in the problems forum about it with some good info for you.
Issue 2 seems just like a normal condition to me at full lock at it sits on the stops.
Issue 3 needs attention at the dealer, no idea.
Issue 4 needs attention at the dealer, could be strut mounts or sway bar end links both are known issues.
Issue 5 - buy some new wipers, easy.

 

[KarstGeo]

They did the overnight test. No pressure loss they said or leaks that they found. However, since getting it back the coolant smell is stronger than ever. The coolant reservoir hasn’t really moved since they marked it. I have no idea why we are smelling coolant and neither do they apparently. I asked about head gaskets and they said that the pressure test would have found if that were the issue. We will see what they check this time when I take it back in. Still waiting on them to call with a loaner large enough to fit my fam.

Hope you get it sorted out. I've read of folks with the MK7 Golfs (GTI, R, Golf) that have similar issues - smell it but no drop in the tank. Bizarre.

 

[KarstGeo]

It’s extremely disappointing. They seriously had no answers or details to their decision. Now it’s going back to the dealer for the 4th time as soon as they get a third row suv loaner in. I really really want to hire an attorney but mentally I don’t need the added stress and emotion so I’m going to try to enjoy the car. After all we did like it until 2 months ago. The sales rep and manager I bought it from are going to run some numbers on trading me out of it for another one for around the same loan amount otd. The only thing we want if that were to happen is rline and power liftgate( not sure if that’s a package or not). Not even sure awd is a noticeable feature in the south and the tech package was a waste of money for us(unless the liftgate is only available in this). The only other option I have is to take about a 5-7k kick in the nuts and trade it in.

I get the not wanting to deal with the lemon law/lawyer bit. Maybe it will work out. Can you provide info from here/vortex/FB pages of those with the same issue that had the head gasket replaced? The issue simply is, VW has a threshold for the pressure test i.e. certain amount of pressure loss of a certain amount of time. If it passes, the dealer doesn't get paid for the repair if they do it for you. Now, with that said, they can certainly talk to VW and go to bat for you on this. Also, have they run a pressure test over night? That seems to be a key. How much coolant loss are you experiencing? I've had some small loss over time, at 22K miles I've topped it once and I don't smell it. I just watch it and will note it next time I'm in for service to have a record. I've had 3 VWs and each had some de-minamus loss of coolant over time...even my Ford Focus did it over the first few 10's of Ks. Consistent coolant loss on the order of the tank being empty every few weeks is obviously a problem that VW needs to sort out. They've done it for plenty of people.

 

[KarstGeo]

UPDATE:

VW has declined a buyback.... All of these documented issues and unresolved coolant problems and they pretty said screw you pal, we cant find a problem even though we can also smell coolant. good luck..... Full circle of buyers remorse and being screwed by VW.

I don't blame you for being pissed - seems like such an obvious thing to troubleshoot and plenty have had it fixed.

 

[KarstGeo]

The coolant issue is so obvious and has been sorted by VW on countless Atlase - it's the f'ing headgasket and I don't understand why they can't figure this out for you. The info is literally all over the internet forums/FB pages and they certainly are well aware of the issue. The dealer is not doing their job for you and going to bat with VW to tell them what the issue is.

 

[KarstGeo]

The TPMS is an indirect system - no sensors. You need to set the tires to 35 (cold) then set the TPMS in the infotainment unit.

Coolant - yeah, it's an issue and they need to sort it out. Very common.

Struts - yeah, it's an issue and they need to sort it out. Very common.

Good luck and just stick it out -the vehicle is great and certainly not worth taking a hit for a few minor, yet inconvenient things.