2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 99 |
| 2021 | 156 |
| 2022 | 70 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
32% of complaints: electrical system — 32 distinct reports on file.
18% of complaints: service brakes — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
On Sep 25 2025 my wife parked car in parking lot to check phone messages. The car was in park. When she finished she placed the car in drive. It began to accelerated rapidly even after the brakes were applied and struck a tree.
NHTSA ODI report, 20251031
18% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
I was driving and hit a bump in the road, It was a uneven surface similar to a curb. My front right tire all of a sudden went flat and all the side and seat airbags deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220126
13% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 13 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: engine — 9 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, he crashed into another vehicle and within seconds, his vehicle's engine compartment caught fire and exploded twice.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210621
The vehicle randomly turns off and a message appears that states manually start the vehicle. Itâs not the ECO start and stop system. I researched the Atlas online forum and this is a noted problem.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231020
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will adjust the driver's side headlight, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94N7.
Campaign 20V504000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289.
Campaign 20V505000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 20V712000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 20V702000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 21V026000 — check if this car was fixed
Fuel Injector Leak
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
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.
Campaign 21V892000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles equipped with accessory side steps.
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.
Campaign 22V086000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles.
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.
Campaign 22V152000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
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 AudiÂs customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Campaign 22V815000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.
Campaign 23V215000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2024.
Campaign 24V464000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 20V504000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V505000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V712000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V702000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V026000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V892000 (air bags, visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V086000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V152000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V815000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V215000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V464000 (air bags) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.