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Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles due to a defect in the brake master cylinder. The master cylinder may have been assembled with an incorrect secondary piston spring retainer, which can obstruct the brake fluid port and lead to reduced brake performance or even brake failure. This recall affects an estimated 1,467 vehicles.
Volkswagen will begin notifying owners of affected vehicles on November 26, 2024. Owners can also contact Volkswagen customer service or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for more information. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder free of charge.
Key Highlights:
- Recall affects: Certain 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
- Problem: The brake master cylinder may have been assembled with an incorrect part, potentially leading to brake failure.
- Solution: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder free of charge.
- Notification: Owners will be notified by mail starting November 26, 2024.
The incorrect secondary piston spring retainer used in the affected vehicles is shorter than the specified part. This can prevent the piston from returning to its proper position, potentially blocking the brake fluid port. “If the recall condition occurs, drivers may experience reduced brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash,” according to the NHTSA report.
Symptoms of the defect may include a soft or spongy brake pedal, the smell of burning brakes, or reduced brake performance. A brake warning light may or may not illuminate if the issue occurs. “If the recall condition occurs, the driver may experience a soft, spongy brake pedal, brake smell, or reduced brake performance. This condition may or may not be accompanied by an illuminated brake warning light,” the report states.
The problem was first identified on August 28, 2024, when Volkswagen production detected issues during the brake fluid filling process. An investigation revealed that incorrect spring retainers were installed in certain brake master cylinders. “Due to errors in the manufacturing processes at the supplier, spring retainers from another OEM were mixed with Volkswagen spring retainers,” the report explains.
Volkswagen has taken steps to correct the issue in production, including establishing a line-side scan to identify any remaining suspect parts. “Line side scan established at Chattanooga to identify any remaining suspect parts coming to the assembly line – September 11, 2024,” the report notes.
Owners of affected vehicles are urged to contact their Volkswagen dealer to schedule a repair as soon as possible. The recall repair will be performed free of charge.
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