FBI deepens investigation into Volkswagen Atlas phantom brake issues

The Volkswagen Atlas is now under greater scrutiny after multiple reports that its autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system activates without any warning or reason. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has upgraded its investigation of the 2019 Atlas from a preliminary assessment to an “engineering analysis,” suggesting the problem may be more widespread and potentially serious.

Concerns about the Atlas first surfaced last year when NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received complaints about the SUV’s AEB system. Drivers report sudden, unexpected braking even when there are no obstacles in the road ahead. Volkswagen acknowledged that there were 226 reports related to the problem, but said customer misunderstandings about the operation of the AEB system may be part of the reason.

READ: FBI investigates 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas phantom braking issues

Some Atlas owners claim that VW dealers told them that this braking behavior was normal or that the problem could not be reproduced.

ODI analysis shows that 2019 Atlas models have the highest rate of unique accidents involving AEB issues compared to other Volkswagen models. To date, the department has received 44 customer complaints alleging that AEB may have been activated inadvertently and has reviewed 187 reports of alleged deficiencies. Four of the cases involved injuries and one report involved a crash.

ODI said in a statement that it is conducting engineering analysis to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of unintended activation of the ABS. The survey covered 101,066 Atlas models.

Other models on the market are also said to suffer from phantom braking issues. Earlier this year, ODI began investigating select Honda Accord and CR-V models as well as the Mazda CX-90. It is said that many similar problems have occurred with Tesla Model 3.