2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:48:12.887Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2021: 156 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2020	99
2021	156
2022	70
2023	16
2024	87
2025	16
2026	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%

33% of complaints: electrical system — 51 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

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The back up camera does not signal or brake when something is too close. Back into another car because I had no warning. VW denies this is a problem with Atlas Cross sport. I looked it up and it is a major problem

NHTSA ODI report, 20231026

AIR BAGS 23%

23% of complaints: air bags — 36 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

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My adaptive cruise control AND airbags FAILED when traffic ahead of me suddenly stopped. (There was NO airbag deployment.) I crashed into the person in front of me who then hit the person in front of them. The vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220125

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20211228

Airbags deployed randomly while driving. Nothing hit the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231114

SERVICE BRAKES 22%

22% of complaints: service brakes — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

ENGINE 20%

20% of complaints: engine — 31 distinct reports on file.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 15%

15% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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NHTSA ODI report, 20220125

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20201119 — steering

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

R 20201130 — tires

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

R 20201211 — back over prevention

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.

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.

Campaign 20V716000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210216 — steering

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

R 20210312 — wheels

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.

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.

Campaign 21V132000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210827 — electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 21V616000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20211102 — suspension, wheels

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.

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.

Campaign 21V812000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220114 — air bags, visibility

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

R 20220331 — equipment

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

R 20220622 — air bags

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

R 20220720 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

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.

Campaign 22V245000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220802 — back over prevention, equipment

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.

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.

Campaign 22V514000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20221118 — tires

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

R 20240930 — air bags

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

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for electrical system issues (51 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (36 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes issues (35 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 20V712000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 20V702000 (tires) has been completed.
Verify recall 20V716000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
Verify recall 21V026000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 21V132000 (wheels) has been completed.
Verify recall 21V616000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 21V812000 (suspension, wheels) 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 22V245000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 22V514000 (back over prevention, equipment) has been completed.
Verify recall 22V815000 (tires) has been completed.
Verify recall 24V464000 (air bags) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 2021 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 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?

14 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.