2021 Volkswagen ATLAS CROSS SPORT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
164 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
14,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 53 of 164 complaints (32.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 56 | 34.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 12.8% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 8.5% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 5.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 53 |
| Air Bags | 37 |
| Service Brakes | 36 |
| Engine | 33 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 25 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 16 |
Electrical System: 53; Air Bags: 37; Service Brakes: 36; Engine: 33; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 25; Unknown Or Other: 25; Exterior Lighting: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 16
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 146 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 66 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 22 |
2021: 9; 2022: 66; 2023: 15; 2024: 30; 2025: 22; 2026: 22
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 56 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 21 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11416335 · 2021-05-12 (May 12, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS CROSS SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO STOHLMAN VOLKSWAGEN (8433 LEESBURG PIKE, TYSONS, VA 22182) WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE PURGE VALVE AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT. SOON AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REAPPEARED. THE CONTACT ALERTED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ASKED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE FOR FURTHER INSPEC…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11416335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418094 · 2021-05-21 (May 21, 2021)
On May 14, 2021, driving at approximately 65 mph, the check engine warning light appeared flashing for the first time since purchase (purchase date April 30, 2021 - two weeks from vehicle purchase date), vehicle lost acceleration and shook aggressively on a major interstate highway. Owner pulled vehicle over to a safe location after driving approximately .25 miles after vehicle's check engine light initially illuminated. Owner had towing company transport the vehicle to the Volkswagen dealer in northern California where service indicated a faul…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425143 · 2021-07-16 (July 16, 2021)
Since purchased new on January 29, 2021, I have encountered the same issue. When stopped and about to accelerate, the vehicle will hesitate. This happens with the start/stop engaged and disengaged. As I press the accelerator, nothing happens, then suddenly the car will take off. This happened when I test drove the car (I chalked it up to the start/stop mode), sitting at a light making a U turn to the left.. Since purchase this has happened multiple times, usually when the vehicle wheels are turned to left or right but this past week-end, it ha…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431956 · 2021-09-07 (September 7, 2021)
About two weeks after purchasing my brand new VW Atlas Cross Sport 2021 (purchased March of 2021) the dash board warning systems have not properly worked. The screen constantly freezes and occasionally a warning appears for vehicle collision assistance when nothing is in front of me. The tire pressure light randomly comes on but the tires are always at the proper PSI. The auto start/stop will malfunction, the car will stop running to save power automatically at a red light but occasionally it gets confused and starts/stops over and over or will…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433818 · 2021-09-21 (September 21, 2021)
After getting a car wash the screen blacked out for around 24 hours. During that the backup camera did not work, the charging ports in the middle did not work, and I was unable to listen to the radio. Also, fluid keeps leaking in moderate puddles even when the air is not on.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438431 · 2021-10-27 (October 27, 2021)
Within my vehicle, fuel injectors are leaking fuel near engine compartment components that operate at high temperatures. A fuel leak, fuel odor and multiple illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) alerted me to the condition described above. Additionally, fuel was spewing from the engine component. All of the above incidents occurred on 2 separate occasions with new vehicle (2.5 months old) with 2300 miles on it, and vehicle is currently inoperable due to the above. This is the 2nd time the vehicle has been checked in for service to repai…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11439471 · 2021-11-05 (November 5, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with the driver control module failure. However, the driver control module was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. After receiving the vehicle back from the dealer, the driver’s side front window would not roll-up. Additionally, while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle would inadvertently shut off or engage the emergency park…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,344 miles reported. Look up ODI 11439471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442946 · 2021-12-06 (December 6, 2021)
There is a wiring harness that is faulty and it causes the car to think the door is open which causes the car to put the emergency brake on while coming to a stop.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442946 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
14 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V702000 · Tires:Sidewall
Reported: 2020-11-13 (November 13, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V712000 · Steering
Reported: 2020-11-17 (November 17, 2020)
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.
Consequence: A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V716000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2020-11-18 (November 18, 2020)
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."
Consequence: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V026000 · Steering
Reported: 2021-01-27 (January 27, 2021)
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.
Consequence: A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V132000 · Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | Wheels:Rim
Reported: 2021-03-03 (March 3, 2021)
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.
Consequence: An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V616000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Relays/Solenoids | Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Reported: 2021-08-06 (August 6, 2021)
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.
Consequence: A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V812000 · Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
Reported: 2021-10-15 (October 15, 2021)
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.
Consequence: The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V892000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module | Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Reported: 2021-11-17 (November 17, 2021)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V086000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2022-02-16 (February 16, 2022)
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."
Consequence: Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V152000 · Air Bags:Side/Window
Reported: 2022-03-28 (March 28, 2022)
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.
Consequence: A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V245000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
Reported: 2022-04-13 (April 13, 2022)
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.
Consequence: Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V514000 · Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment:Software | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2022-07-20 (July 20, 2022)
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."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V815000 · Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Reported: 2022-10-31 (October 31, 2022)
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."
Consequence: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
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 Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V464000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2024-06-20 (June 20, 2024)
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.
Consequence: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗