CSR

Volkswagen · NHTSA safety record

2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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

Owners have filed 97 safety complaints about the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 8 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 34 complaints, 35% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 16,175 miles, the median across the 10 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers August 2023 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

97 complaints on file

97

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 34 · 35%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 23 · 24%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 19 · 20%
ENGINE 15 · 15%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 11 · 11%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 11 · 11%
LANE DEPARTURE 8 · 8%
POWER TRAIN 8 · 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 7 · 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 · 6%
AIR BAGS 5 · 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 · 5%
0 15 31

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 97.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 41.

44 33 22 11
23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2023 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2024 Volkswagen ATLAS CROSS SPORT, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 15.1% 16.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

8 on file

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

26V473000 · July 22, 2026

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling 2024-2026 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. The vehicles may experience a low-voltage electrical event that affects display screen functions. As a result, the rearview camera image may fail to display as intended.
The risk
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 28, 2026.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 57,851 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES

25V434000 · June 30, 2025

The defect
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.) of affected vehicles may not have been correctly tightened during the manufacturing process.
The risk
A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42HX.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 546 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V334000 · May 21, 2025

The defect
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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
A distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91SB.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 171,381 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE

25V100000 · February 17, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will remove the engine cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10X5.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 177,493 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

24V723000 · September 27, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
An obstructed brake fluid port can cause a loss of brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2024. Additionally, vehicles that were added to the population on November 21, 2024, their letters were mailed on December 2, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen Customer Relations at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 471F.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 1,591 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

24V480000 · June 27, 2024

The defect
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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
A rearview camera with a delayed or deactivated image reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024, and July 16, 2024. Owners may contact VW customer service at 1-800-893-5298. VW's number for this recall is 91US.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 84,432 vehicles across all model years covered

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

23V593000 · August 23, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, engine failure may cause an oil leak which can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 13i6.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 2,018 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

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

POWER TRAIN

1 injured · 21,350 miles

The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that after pressing the engine Start/Stop button to start the vehicle in the driveway, she exited the vehicle and sat in the front passenger's seat. After 4-5 minutes, the vehicle inadvertently rolled backward while the transmission was in park (P). No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle rolled over her daughter's left knee before stopping at the end of the driveway. Additionally, the "Error: Drive System. Please Service Vehicle" message was previously displayed while driving, and the parking brake was inoperable. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report. The contact's daughter received medical

NHTSA complaint 11620983, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

fire

Spontaneous vehicle fire which resulted in the total loss. Driver and passenger were in the car, managed to escape the vehicle,no injuries. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer or by authorized service center. Not sure if the vehicle or component have been inspected by the manufacturer or insurance representative. Police and firefighters were present on the site of incident. There were no warning lights on the dashboard prior to the incident

NHTSA complaint 11608935. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · towed

Vehicle: 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport VIN: [XXX] Component: Air Bags – Frontal (Driver) Description of the problem: I am reporting a possible safety issue involving the driver front airbag. I was involved in a frontal collision in my 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport that resulted in severe front-end damage. The vehicle was declared a total loss. During the crash, the driver steering-wheel airbag did not deploy. Based on the severity of the impact and damage, airbag deployment would normally be expected. There were no airbag warning lights or alerts prior to the crash that I am aware of. No injuries requiring hospital care occurred. I am submitting this report to document a potential

NHTSA complaint 11707082, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

crash · 28,000 miles

The contact's mother owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that he was dropping his daughter off at school, as he shifted into reverse (R) to exit a parking space he observed that the rear view camera image had "flashed" and then the screen went black. The contact stated that he was moving at approximately 2 MPH when he crashed into the rear bumper of the vehicle parked behind him. The contact stated that there was minor damage, paint scrapes to each bumper. The police was called and issued a report and a traffic citation to the contact. The contact stated that no person was injured. The contact stated that he had determined that there was a recall associated to his mother's

NHTSA complaint 11677847, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The infotainment system continues to “glitch” with the faded screen and the hot pink/purple lines that go across the screen. This was upon starting my car, I hadn’t even put it into drive. It took over 3 minutes of trying to restart the system to reset it- which I finally gave up and started to drive away. The infotainment system finally shut off about 3/4 of mile away from my house (and I hadn’t touched it since putting my car into drive). This has been an intermittent issue since I bought the car in 10/2024 (certified preowned).

NHTSA complaint 11767202. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

42,000 miles

The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes independently activated. Additionally, the radio displayed a blank screen. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the cruise control was activated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact deactivated the cruise control feature and the vehicle drove normally. The infotainment center continued the rebooting cycle. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

NHTSA complaint 11766377. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
My 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has a recurring electronic/infotainment failure that began at approximately 5,000 miles and continues at approximately 49,500 miles. While driving, the infotainment screen unexpectedly shuts off, freezes, or becomes unavailable. The vehicle displays: "Exit warning system and rear traffic alert are currently not available." Lane Assist also becomes unavailable. At the same time, we can lose navigation, radio/audio, phone connectivity, and climate-control functions operated through the infotainment system. The failure occurs at both low and high speeds and on different types of roads. It has also occurred when a phone is not connected and when a phone is

NHTSA complaint 11765822, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On September 2, 2026 a recall for the backup camera update was performed. While driving home from the dealership on September 2, 2026 my screen turned off and then I got an alert of a system issue. This happened three separate times within a seven day span from September 2, 2026 to September 8, 2026. One of the alerts was something to do with the breaking system. The other alert was to do with the exit warning system, and rear traffic system being unavailable. I have also experienced trying to accelerate and the gas pedal gets me nowhere. I push the gas pedal and the car does not move forward.

NHTSA complaint 11762988. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
After an Over the air update to the vehicle the Infotainment system constantly reboots. When this happens you get a braking error message, can't use the HVAC system or maps. It is at the dealer for the 2nd time for this same issue. Hoping if enough of us bring this up a recall will have to be issued!

NHTSA complaint 11763059. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

crash

The rearview camera and infotainment display intermittently fail. When the vehicle is shifted into reverse, the infotainment screen goes black or freezes, disabling the rearview camera image. The vehicle must be stopped and the system manually rebooted before rear visibility is restored. The failure occurs frequently in high ambient temperatures, which in South Florida is a near-daily condition. This is the exact defect covered by Recall 24V-480, which applies to my vehicle. The recall's software remedy has been applied — and the defect has returned. The defect has been reported to an authorized Volkswagen service center on three occasions: Visit 1 (August 2, 2024, at approximately 2,630

NHTSA complaint 11759170, quoted in part. 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 23 5 —
2023 19 6 —
2022 72 7 —
2021 165 14 —
2020 106 11 —

Other 2024 Volkswagen models

Every Volkswagen on this site — 155 vehicles.

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. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

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