Adaptive Cruise Control problems of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas

Ten problems related to adaptive cruise control have been reported for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas based on all problems reported for the 2019 Atlas.

1 Adaptive Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 07/31/2025

I was driving on the sb 55fwy in light stop and go traffic and had my acc w/ traffic aware system engaged. My car was doing as it normally does, keeping a safe distance to the vehicle in front of me, automatically slowing, stopping and accelerating at a safe speed for the conditions. This feature I had been using on my car since I originally purchased it and paid for these safety features. When traffic was not stopped it was traveling between 15-20mph. All of the sudden my dashboard lit up with error messages, audible warnings, and check engine light, all flashing and beeping at me and before I quickly glanced at the dash to the alarming warnings, I had rear ended the car in front of me. This took me by complete shock as my car had always been overly cautious about applying emergency braking in close situations. This time it did nothing. The error message said adaptive cruise control sensor had failed and along with that it had disabled all of the safety features I had become accustomed to and paid extra for, including, the emergency braking and front end collision warning. This caused almost $14k in damage to my vehicle and more so potentially could have put my entire family in danger. The sensor failure caused the accident, the damage to the other car that I was traveling behind and any potential injuries from the driver of that car. I have given this same statement to my insurance company, however no one has reached out to investigate the cause of the failure, not even the dealership service center, where I had originally had my damaged car towed to so they could check and verify with their scan tools that I had a faulty sensor. Also my vehicle had just been serviced the month prior and all software was updated at norm reeves Volkswagen, irvine, CA.

2 Adaptive Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 12/05/2024

While performing a low speed left hand turn the vehicle’s adaptive cruise control system falsely detected an imminent crash triggering the auto braking system and subsequently malfunctioned to release the vehicle’s side curtain airbags on both the passenger and driver side. The police were called and responded but no police report was prepared as there was determined to be no motor vehicle accident or property damage done (other than to the vehicle itself). The vehicle was taken to a dealer and a diagnostic test was performed, results attached. The manufacturer has verbally responded that they determine the airbag release to be of outside influences and they deny malfunction. They will not provide their response in writing. At the time of the accident there were no warning lights indicating a problem; however, the vehicle diagnostic results indicate that there were brake system issues earlier in the day. The vehicle diagnostic results include multiple system malfunctions that contributed to this malfunction.

3 Adaptive Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 10/11/2024

The rear driver side seat belt does not stay in place when the seat is lowered, therefore, leaving this seat without a seatbelt. The adaptive cruise control sometimes works and sometimes does not work. There is no specific reason for this. It works during the snow and does not work during the sunshine. When making a hard right or left turn, there is a grinding noise underneath, I am guessing it has something to do withthe wheels or what the wheels are attached to. . . I have brought each of these items up to the dealership service department and they look at me like I am crazy stating this is the way volkswagon works. I do not believe this is so.

4 Adaptive Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 09/17/2023

Was driving on interstate 24 between nashville and chattanooga, Sunday sept 17th around 1 pm, temp was about 80 f, out of no where, there was a loud boom , like a gunshot, between my wife and I ( im driving ) I look over at her to see if she was ok, then looked up, I saw the first section of my sun roof glass had shattered into a spider web appearance, then suddenly a chunk of the glass, about 4 x 6 in, departed the roof panel over head while I was trying to slow down and pull over. I was going about 78- 80 mph. Once on the side shoulder, I retracted the sun shade cloth shield, it was fill with numerous shards, one which fell and hit my knee, causing a cut. Numerous shared were within the vehicle and our open top drinks. Since I was not comfortable drive at highway speeds, with potential shards coming into the cabin and impacting those behind, I drove several miles along the shoulder of the road to a gas station. There I bought gloves and removed what was left of the remaining panel and used duct tape to contain any remain glass. Im currently in contact with my vw dealer as to the status of its repair.

5 Adaptive Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2023

When starting the vehicle, the warning system will flash and display several errors, mainly "parking brake failure" and the light on the parking brake control will flash. Parking brake will disengage after several attempts and warning will go away. Problem started about 1 month ago and is becoming more persistant.

6 Adaptive Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2022

Atlas displays the same problems that others have also complained about. The vehicle will abruptly stop and engage the parking brake and set off all kinds of warning sensors. The driver's side door harness is the alleged problem and yet they have no fix. My VIN number is not associated with the recall but my Atlas displays the same problems as the recalled ones.

7 Adaptive Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 05/04/2022

My 2019 Atlas is showing many of the same symptoms of the current Atlas recall, but it isn’t listed on the site. My airbag light is flashing, the adaptive cruise control states that it isn’t available, and many other electrical systems have been failing. The problem began today.

8 Adaptive Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 02/23/2022

When the car is turned on the adaptive cruise control is not available, the error code fault is "driver door contact switch", fault code "electronic parking brake" appears, the rear drivers side window rolls down about 6 inches, the car beeps and alerts "the engine is running". When at a complete stop, the beeping and alert with "the engine is running" appears and the parking brake appears to turn back on as well. My car had this issue in Feb 2021 and a part was replaced, but now the problem is back again. This has been confirmed by the dealership and vw customer care that is a very known issue with Atlas. Unfortunately electronical issues are a huge concern because everything is connected. This is the primary car for me and my children. I have huge concerns of safety with my children riding in the car when it has such serious electrical issue.

9 Adaptive Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 01/13/2021

My adaptive cruise control constantly gives an error, and as a result the cruise control does not work. Vw is not fixing it, even under warranty as they state its a calibration issue. Upon further research, this appears to be a known issue. A quick search of "vw Atlas acc" pull up all the forums. Here are two such links: [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

10 Adaptive Cruise Control problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2020

Vw performed an emissions recall software update on this vehicle approximately 6 months ago. Since this software update was performed the adaptive cruise control does not work after using the vehicles oem remote start. The adaptive cruise control works when not using remote start however. They have so far refused to offer a fix.


Other Forward Collision Avoidance related problems of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas


Atlas Service Bulletins
Atlas Defect Investigations