[Jimmy in the Hills]

I’m pleased to say that VW is buying back my 2021 this Friday. I’ve never been happier and will not buy another VW. If anyone is looking for like new floor mats for a 3 row SE w/tech or the cargo mat or the tray inserts then please let me know. Located north of Seattle near the. Vancouver border. Can bring into Canada as well.

Couldn't agree more with you - well done. You just did yourself a favor.

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

Bought a lovely 2019 Atlas in August 2020. Came to this forum and it has been helpful for the issues I have encountered in those 14 plus months since then. Have really wanted to love my Atlas but last week I sold it for $2K more than I paid for it and bought a 135000 mile 2009 Honda Odyssey for $8K. Atlas had 6K miles on it when I bought it and 23K miles when I sold it. I agree with many of the moderators of this forum and it is a solid car in many many respects and people do come to forums such as this to complain and share their anxieties etc. Quite simply put I wanted to share with others that I think the Atlas is a terrific car in so many ways and VW has and will continue to sell a lot of them.......but there are issues with them which will piss off a lot of people who know what VW should be (and are with other models in their range) and have been disappointed with their experience. Upon picking up the Odyssey, I noticed how smooth it is, none of the racket from torque converters (which dealers and others on this forum) say is normal. None of the steering rack issues, none of the constant blaring noise from the sensitive dash when you have the engine running and happen to want to open your door. None of it. For all the tech we have regressed in my opinion. The Ody just works. The most technical item I have is a multi-changer CD player. It purrs along the highway, is smooth as silk, no rattling sway bar links awaiting a second recall, no gas guzzling VR6 which has no reason to be so thirsty, no annoying start stop technology wether you can turn it off or not, no annoying ACC warnings and expensive calibrations, just butter smooth power delivery (I really don't care that the Atlas shares the same 8-9 speed transmission as Lexus as it always felt jerky) comfortable inside, cruise control just works and is simple, does not need calibration and ACC warnings etc. The Odyssey will run to over 250K miles no doubt with the right care. I installed a VCM muzzler immediately to bypass the Variable Cylinder Management system in the Honda and so I should not have the issues later in it's life. Anyway the very best of luck to you all with the Atlas - it's a great car in so many ways but not without it's flaws and I do happen to think that it is frankly unacceptable that these issues happen. There was a time when you bought a brand new car that you would not have many issues but sadly as a society we have now accepted that there will be problems even with new cars - why? Software for the most part and the almighty profit margin, rushed development, rushed engineering and lets get it rushed to the market place ASAP and then let's have the general public be the beta test for it. Unacceptable. For all the glamor of the looks of the Atlas, for all the flashy wheels and nice trim, it sat in the shop more than any vehicle I have ever owned - call that progress? Yes yes I am sure the Odyssey had it's teething problems back in the day too but I don't miss the Atlas one bit. Yes the Honda is not cool, yes it is a mini van and I can't go out in the snow but at least it just works and there is a reason so many old ones are still on the road today. So long guys!

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

Sway bar links replaced - drives like a different vehicle. Love it - the way I expected it to be - great to read posts about VW software update for the ACC/remote start issue - super handy in snowy weather when (heaven forbid) you might forget to switch off your ACC prior to shut down - very happy with vehicle and sorry to hear about other's troubles.

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

Year and model? Are you using remote start?

2019 SE V6 4 Motion and yes

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

So 2 weeks later following 'calibration and alignment' of the ACC system ($369 price paid for by the dealer) and the ACC: Error message comes on again on the I95 the other day driving back from FL. Of course it is frustrating as one buys a vehicle with these kind of features because one appreciates the convenience of a feature like this. When it is simply not available at a time when there is no way to correct it other than to pull over, switch off and back on, and carry on driving, it becomes annoying. I am taking the vehicle into Flow VW Asheville next week as the Sway Bar End links are in from back order and will be put on under warranty. When I am back I shall let them know about this ACC error and see what they have to say about it. And no I wasn't driving in thick mud whereby the VW emblem was covered and I haven't tampered with it in anyway. The weather was mid fifties and I was up to about 65 mph when I switched it on and 'bing' ACC Error with the appropriate orange warning on the dash. Anyone who can share any insight to this - much appreciated.

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

Hey team,
Thanks for the write up James. This thread has been helpful.

I’m about to pull the trigger on a 21 (not 21.5) SEL V6 4Motion. I’ve been putting battling with the dealer for a bit and I’ve got them to 38k out the door. Which I think is a good price.

I know I could start a new thread, and probably should, but I figured this was the place to find the disgruntled owners who could give me the best advice.

Before I give away very hard earned money on Thursday, is there anything I should look for? When I took the car out, I made sure to make some tight turns at speed to listen for sway bars, but it was quiet. The steering wheel pump doesn’t seem to jitter when at either extreme.

I’m excited about this car. It’ll the first and probably only new car I’ll ever own. I know Audi/VW can have its issues, but I’m a capable mechanic and the warranty is reassuring for the first couple years.

thanks team. If I’m lucky this will be the first of many posts.

-cFogs

Hey Buddy,

Sounds like you have made your decision - if I had my chance again I would have put my $37K into investments and bought a used Sienna again and would have been totally boring. Atlas checks a lot of boxes though and I wanted one for all the right reasons - just glad that I was able to have these things fixed. Good luck and keep us posted!

Jimmy

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

Karst

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

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

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

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

Ha ha! Absolutely. Bit like my old Honda VFR 800 motorcycle. Boring but reliable as they come.

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

I am hoping they have fixed all these issues with the 2021.5 atlas model that we are going to pick up this month. Those seem to he a bit minor and the dealership should be able to rectify all of those I would assume.

Hey that sounds great. Good luck and let us all know how the new vehicle performs

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

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.

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.

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

What happened with yours?

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.

 

[Jimmy in the Hills]

I hate to be this guy but I absolutely hate this car! My wife and I were very excited to finally buy a NEW family( usually buy used) vehicle and one with a great warranty that would give us POM for a few years. We travel quite a bit and shuttle kids around to 4 diff activities and school throughout the week. So far we have owned our 2019 Atlas v6 4motion with rline and tech for almost 1 year and 30k miles. We HATE IT and this will be our last VW. I am only keeping it because of the warranty but I am seriously thinking about taking a $5k bath in neg equity to dump it and buy an older Toyota Sequoia. Resell value is an entirely different thread. That is also absolutely horrible. My 5 year old base model Truck with 100k miles is worth about what trade value on this atlas is. Overall, we are completely disappointed in this rig especially with a $44k sticker price.

I am sending it back to the dealer this week fora few things:

• TPS sensors are malfunctioning..... Again. this morning they told me i had a flat. checked all tires and they were all great. the light have been on for a week now
• coolant issues...... Again. I have had to add fluid twice and i know I can smell antifreeze. according to the adviser over the phone " this is normal". that cant be normal
• the front struts sound like they are going to come through the hood. without a doubt at least 1 is broken.

Man, I totally understand where you are coming from! So sorry