VW Atlas "ACC Deactivated" - Why Do I See This Error?

The Volkswagen Atlas is a big and mighty SUV from a very well-known German brand. It's marketed in America as a real dream of an average US driver - a big, powerful, specious, off-road capable SUV with great comfort. But we know that Atlas owners quite often report some problems and mishaps that occur with this vehicle.

ACC deactivated message highlights

• Common reasons:radar sensors issues, camera problems, low voltage, bad weather
• How to fix:clean the radar and camera areas, wait for better weather, check the battery
• Possible consequences:some smart features won't be available
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$1,000

What's ACC and how it works in the Atlas?

So, what's this system that your cat calls ACC? It stands for Automatic Cruise Control. This system automatically controls the speed of the vehicle and you don't have to keep your foot on the gas pedal all the time. This helps you just set the needed speed and drive freely without having to hold the leg and foot in a certain position. This makes driving much more comfortable.

But this is quite a primitive description of how ACC actually works. First of all, the system is quite functional now. It doesn't only control the speed but helps you keep the vehicle safe on the road and avoid collisions. The ACC system embraces a lot of components located all over the Atlas and it offers a lot of wonderful functions.

Here's what it can do:

• maintain your speed which is very useful for driving on highways - you won't need to press the gas pedal all the time;
• control the driving lane - lane assist is an independent feature that warns you when the lane is changed, but in the Atlas, it can also automatically control the lane and keep the vehicle on the same lane;
• collision warning system - again, it will not just warn you about the possible collision, but also try to prevent it by automatically braking before the collision happens;
• road signs reading - the system can scan road signs and limit the speed following the allowed speed on a certain part of the road;
• map analysis - the ACC system always takes into account the route by analyzing maps and adjusts the speed and patterns to the route peculiarities;
• adaptation to driving style - the system is quite clever and can adopt some important features of your driving style.

Well, you can see that the ACC system in your Volkswagen Atlas is one of the cleverest options you may have in a car. It's nearly the automatic driving system but with some limitations - you will still need to hold the steering wheel in your hands and observe the road. By the way, the vehicle can detect that a driver is asleep. In this case, the ACC will calmly stop on the right side of the road and turn on the hazard lights.

So, no, you won't be able to relocate to the backseat and have a nap while your ACC drives you to the destination. Although your Atlas ACC system is quite close to what we know as autopilot, it's not completely autopilot. Its main goal is to provide you with comfort and safety when driving.

Why do you see "ACC Deactivated" on your dash?

This can mean one of two things: you deactivated the ACC or it has been deactivated because of some problem in the vehicle.

The first situation is not really rare. You can unintentionally deactivate the ACC system by pressing the ACC button on the left side of the steering wheel. Once you briefly press and release it when the ACC system is on, it will go off and let you fully control the vehicle. This may be a surprise if you didn't intend to deactivate the system.

Also, the ACC system may have been deactivated once you press the brake pedal (will turn on again if the brake pedal is released before the Atlas comes to a full stop) or press the gas pedal to accelerate (the system will regain control over the car once you release the gas pedal).

It's usually much worse if you've just been driving and suddenly saw this nasty message that you don't even have time to read. "ACC and Lane Assist Deactivated".

Here's what could cause this:

• The battery is about to die. Nearly all electrical problems in your car may occur just because the battery gives the wrong voltage or isn't powerful enough to supply all systems with electricity.
• The alternator is malfunctioning. The same problem - the ACC system needs some current to rely on so that it could function properly. If the alternator doesn't work properly, it can cause problems with the ACC system.
• One of the sensors is broken. If one of the important sensors sends some wrong signals to the electronic brain of the ACC system, it will be deactivated immediately. The same will happen if there is no signal from a certain sensor.
• Wiring issues. It's not that common now for the Atlas because these SUVs are quite new, but wiring problems may happen because of water damage or mechanical damage to wires.
• Glitches in the software. If the system glitches, it may trigger one of the security systems that cut off the ACC to avoid collisions. Sometimes, just some software updates will do the magic.
• Bad weather. Some sensors and radars are located outside, so they can get packed with snow or mud. If this happens, the system will turn off, and then you can turn it on manually after the car is clean again.
• The vehicle is out of speed limits. ACC system may work approximately between 20 and 95 mph. If you want to drive more or less than that, the vehicle will not be able to treat you with Automatic Cruise Control - it will turn off and send you the message on the dash.

Now you know all the possible reasons why the ACC may not be working properly and may be deactivated automatically. According to these reasons, you may understand what exactly you need to do to avoid or repair these issues. It means you'll be able to locate the problem easier and deal with it just by replacing or cleaning some parts in the vehicle.

But it may sound much easier than it actually is.

What to do to avoid problems with your ACC system?

It doesn't make much sense to care about any prevention measures. You may spend a lot of money and time to maintain the vehicle but the ACC will still malfunction. The electrical systems in any modern Volkswagen aren't really reliable and long-lasting. Sooner or later, they will ask for some money from you.

But here are some really efficient things to do:

• keep your vehicle clean at all times to avoid sensor contamination;
• avoid driving in deep water so that you don't cause water damage to electrical components;
• don't mess up with wiring in your car unless you are an experienced car electrician;
• avoid updating software with unknown programs or tools;
• learn how to use the ACC system in your VW Atlas and find out its limitations.

These are just some simple-to-follow recommendations you may use for enjoying your ACC system in the Volkswagen Atlas. Unfortunately, this still doesn't guarantee your cruise control will be problem-free for many years.

How to control the ACC system in your Volkswagen Atlas?

It's as simple as in other Volkswagen cars that are equipped with cruise control (or actually any cars, not only Volkswagen).

So, here's how you use the ACC:

• first, press the on/off ACC button on the left side of the steering wheel;
• then use your gas pedal to accelerate to the desired speed;
• after that, press the Set button on the steering wheel;
• you may also use plus and minus buttons to increase or decrease the set speed;
• when you are done, just press the on/off ACC button once more.

The ACC button in your Volkswagen Atlas is the top button on the left side of the steering wheel. It shows a speedometer gauge.

Final words

Your Volkswagen Atlas is equipped with a wonderful system called Automatic Cruise Control. It means that the vehicle may automatically maintain a certain set speed, avoid collisions, keep itself in a certain lane, etc. All these capabilities make your Atlas much more comfortable and safer to drive.

But anyway, you should know that if you see the "ACC Deactivated" message on the dash, something may be wrong with the vehicle. In this article, we've answered all questions that Atlas owners usually ask about the ACC system problems.