CSR

Volkswagen · NHTSA safety record

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

162

Complaints

9

Crashes

1

Fires

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have filed 162 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2021 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 54 of them (33%). The typical failure was reported at 13,000 miles, the median across the 17 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints fell 42% year on year: 18 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 31 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 14 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (14)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

24V464000 · June 20, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on October 18, 2024, December 10, 2024, December 20, 2024, and January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 271,330 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

22V815000 · October 31, 2022

The defect
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 tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
The risk
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi’s customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 296,044 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

22V514000 · July 20, 2022

The defect
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 cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 43,091 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

22V245000 · April 13, 2022

The defect
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.
The risk
Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the long fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24iD.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 1,382 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

22V152000 · March 28, 2022

The defect
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 front side air bag during a side impact crash.
The risk
A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97GF.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 222,892 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

22V086000 · February 16, 2022

The defect
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, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk
Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will install the reduced GVWR label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 09D9.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 3,648 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

21V892000 · November 17, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
A water leak may damage the air bag control module, causing an inadvertent air bag deployment and increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will repair the drain tube and replace the air bag control module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 87H4.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 54,429 vehicles across all model years covered

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

21V812000 · October 15, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the tightness of the wheel bearing bolts and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40R7.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 30 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS

21V616000 · August 6, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and as necessary, replace the relays, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97FR.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 33 vehicles across all model years covered

WHEELS:RIM

21V132000 · March 3, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four wheels, and as necessary, replace the wheels, lug bolts ,and wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44Q9.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 128 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING

21V026000 · January 27, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace one or both steering knuckles, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q7.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 10,303 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

20V716000 · November 18, 2020

The defect
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, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 32,048 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING

20V712000 · November 17, 2020

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q6. Note: Owners are advised to DO NOT DRIVE the vehicle until the vehicle has been inspected and repaired if necessary.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 776 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES:SIDEWALL

20V702000 · November 13, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air pressure or the tread separating from the tire. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect DOT date code and mold number on the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 30, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44Q5.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 760 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 162.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 54 33%
AIR BAGS 37 23%
SERVICE BRAKES 36 22%
ENGINE 33 20%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 28 17%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25 15%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 16 10%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 16 10%
LANE DEPARTURE 4 2%
STEERING 4 2%
SUSPENSION 4 2%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 3 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2022 at 66.

2021 2022 2026
2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

I was in a front end collision, no airbags were deployed.

NHTSA complaint 11445299. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 7,000 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 MPH, the vehicle in front of him swerved into another lane and he noticed there was a vehicle stopped in the middle of the highway 40 feet away from his vehicle. However, the automatic emergency braking system failed to engage. The contact depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle crashed into the rear end of the other vehicle due to the short distance. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained soreness to the lower back, hips, and shoulder. The contact sought medical assistance. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop where it was repaired. The contact stated that

NHTSA complaint 11479958, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

This is a well known issue but their has now been several incidents where my forward braking should have activated and did not and now stela’s on 4 different occasions 2 of which were on the highway where the emergency brake was triggered and i have lost control of the vehicle , yet in completely empty parking lots now two separate times i have been able to catch on video that it told me i was within 12 inches of something and there is nothing. I’ve had this issue starting 10/21 and happened as recently as 8/7 and it’s almost gotten me killed, never,one the known recall for airbags not being deployed during two pretty significant accidents . PLEASE HELP ME AS VW IS AWARE OF THIS AND WILL DO

NHTSA complaint 11480042, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 45,000 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph the driver suddenly steered to the right to avoid a collision with a second vehicle and suddenly the front passenger-side air bags and both the driver side and passenger side curtain airbags erroneously deployed causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into a curb. After the incident, the driver suffered from anxiety but no physical injuries were reported. No police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the incident. The contact had received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign

NHTSA complaint 11467088, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
Got an airbag alert light on driver console. Took it to VW dealer in [XXX]. They said the driver side airbag has a short to ground. And it’s not covered under the warranty. And it’s $2000 to fix. There has been a lot of problems with the wire harness from the manufacturer. And I feel like they should repair it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11755031. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has experienced intermittent electrical failures while driving, including at highway speeds. The infotainment system first began shutting off intermittently around April 2026. At times, I had to pull over, place the vehicle in Park, turn it off, and restart it multiple times before the system would function again. On approximately XXX while traveling from [XXX] toward [XXX], the problem became much more serious. While driving on the highway, both the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment display suddenly went completely black at the same time. Because the instrument cluster was completely black, I could no longer see my speed or other important

NHTSA complaint 11753839, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This has happened to me a total of three times now And I have had the car one month. It stopped on me again in the middle of traffic Just driving without warning without any indicating lights on on June 25th. It stopped on me prior on July 21st and I just got it out of the shop July 24th. This is very dangerous and a dangerous situation especially to be driving one minute and the car just stop on you and go to a slow roll.

NHTSA complaint 11753164. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have not the slightest idea what is going on with the vehicle that I just bought on June 25th 2026. I have a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas crossover and the car stopped on me three times today. And when I arrived in my garage it said that the engine was hot. I will be taking it to the dealership tomorrow.

NHTSA complaint 11751935. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
When I am driving the vehicle the brakes are always squeaking. When I took it to the dealership they stated that there was nothing wrong with the brakes. When I Google this this seems to be a common issue with the Volkswagen Atlas. But one thing also just the other day when I stopped on the brakes it felt like someone was slamming behind me.

NHTSA complaint 11751936. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Right side daytime running light went out. Confirmed by dealer and headlamp assembly was replaced.

NHTSA complaint 11750701. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 17 5
2024 90 8
2023 18 6
2022 70 7
2020 102 11

Other 2021 Volkswagen models

Every Volkswagen on this site — 152 vehicles, 256 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst