US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport recall history and complaint patterns
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport,
sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 2020–2026 with 50 recall campaigns and 646 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2021 (14), 2020 (11), and 2024 (7).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2021 (248), 2020 (137), and 2024 (126).
Top recall themes: Other, Airbags, and Steering and suspension.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Other
6 campaigns · Years: 2021–2022, 2024–2026
These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport in NHTSA complaint data are
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2026
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2025
4
12
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Back over prevention: rearview system braking, Back over prevention: warnings.
2024
7
126
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Visibility/wiper.
2023
6
25
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Air bags, Electrical system.
2022
7
98
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Electrical system, Engine.
2021
14
248
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes.
2020
11
137
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Service brakes, Air bags.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Air bags
, Service brakes
and Back over prevention
Show recall evidence by year
2026
Wheels: Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs:
Safety recall involving the wheels area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2026 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and ID.4 vehicles. The incorrect wheel bolts may have been installed during vehicle manufacturing.
2025
Power train: Automatic transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The transmission may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Engine:
Safety recall involving the engine area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces.
Back over prevention: Camera:
Safety recall involving the back over prevention area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Moto
Service brakes:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.)
2024
Engine and engine cooling: Hard parts internal/mechanical:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas PA2 and Atlas Cross Sport PA vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
Air bags: Front passenger:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Back over prevention: Software:
Safety recall involving the back over prevention area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Golf R, Golf GTI, 2024 Atlas, and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The rearview camera image may be delayed or deactivated after shifting into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Mot
Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been assembled with an incorrect secondary piston spring retainer, which can block the brake fluid port.
Engine:
Safety recall involving the engine area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces.
Back over prevention: Camera:
Safety recall involving the back over prevention area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Moto
Service brakes:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.)
2023
Air bags: Side/window:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger f
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 model year Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Certain brake lines may leak at the threaded connections.
Engine and engine cooling: Hard parts internal/mechanical:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
Suspension: Critical fasteners:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Volkswagen Atlas FL and 2022-2023 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The driver-side rear trailing arm bolts may not have been tightened properly, allowing them to loosen and fall out.
Air bags: Front passenger:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Service brakes:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.)
2022
Air bags: Side/window:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger f
Fuel system, gasoline: Injectors:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters.
Equipment: Software:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cau
Trailer hitches:
Safety recall involving the trailer hitches area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The trailer hitch bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.
Engine and engine cooling: Hard parts internal/mechanical:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
Suspension: Critical fasteners:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Volkswagen Atlas FL and 2022-2023 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The driver-side rear trailing arm bolts may not have been tightened properly, allowing them to loosen and fall out.
Air bags: Front passenger:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
2021
Tires: Sidewall:
Safety recall involving the tires area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport and 2021 Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires, size 255/50 R 20 105 T. The tires may have been over cured.
Steering:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. One or both steering knuckles may have been damaged during production.
Back over prevention: Camera:
Safety recall involving the back over prevention area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, t
Steering:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The front steering knuckle may fracture in the area of the strut mounting.
Wheels: Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs:
Safety recall involving the wheels area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The lug bolt holes on the wheels may have been machined incorrectly, preventing the wheel bolt from sufficiently attaching to the wheel bearing hub.
Electrical system: Relays/solenoids:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Damaged relays may have been installed in the engine compartment fuse box, which could inadvertently activate the horn or engine starter.
Suspension: Wheel bearing:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles. The front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened.
Air bags: Air bag/restraint control module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The air conditioning system drain tube could be blocked, causing water to leak inside the vehicle near the air bag control module.
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, th
Air bags: Side/window:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger f
Fuel system, gasoline: Injectors:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters.
Equipment: Software:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cau
Tires: Pressure monitoring and regulating systems:
Safety recall involving the tires area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The
Air bags: Front passenger:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
2020
Exterior lighting: Headlights:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Atlas Cross Sports and 2021 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side headlight may have been aimed too low during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard num
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Tires: Sidewall:
Safety recall involving the tires area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport and 2021 Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires, size 255/50 R 20 105 T. The tires may have been over cured.
Steering:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. One or both steering knuckles may have been damaged during production.
Steering:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The front steering knuckle may fracture in the area of the strut mounting.
Air bags: Air bag/restraint control module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The air conditioning system drain tube could be blocked, causing water to leak inside the vehicle near the air bag control module.
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, th
Air bags: Side/window:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger f
Tires: Pressure monitoring and regulating systems:
Safety recall involving the tires area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The
Air bags: Front passenger:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
Air bags: Front passenger:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
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For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
