Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport years to avoid (and the best years)
474 NHTSA owner complaints and 29 recalls across 6 model years, 2020 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 474complaints
- 29recalls
- 17reported crashes
- 4reported fires
- 9reported injuries
Which Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport years should you avoid?
No Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport year has 82 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2021 (165).
What are the best Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport years?
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (18), 2022 (71) and 2020 (106). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20 | 0.2× | 5 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 94 | 1.1× | 8 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 18 | 0.2× | 6 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2022 | 71 | 0.9× | 7 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2021 | 165 | 2.0× | 14 | 9 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 106 | 1.3× | 11 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 474 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Electrical & infotainment148 (31%)
- Engine & powertrain117 (25%)
- Brakes73 (15%)
- Airbags & seat belts65 (14%)
- Structure & body36 (8%)
Recalls (29)
Safety · 26V473000 · Jul 2026 · model years 2024, 2025
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 25V434000 · Jun 2025 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V334000 · May 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
A distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V100000 · Feb 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Transmission · 25V081000 · Feb 2025 · model year 2025
A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 24V723000 · Sep 2024 · model year 2024
An obstructed brake fluid port can cause a loss of brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V480000 · Jun 2024 · model year 2024
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.
Airbags · 24V464000 · Jun 2024 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Engine · 23V593000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2024
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.
Airbags · 23V215000 · Mar 2023 · model year 2020
A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Tires · 22V815000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2020, 2021
An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 22V807000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2022, 2023
Unsecured bolts may cause the trailing arm to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 22V753000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2022, 2023
A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Brakes · 22V718000 · Sep 2022 · model year 2023
A brake fluid leak may increase the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V657000 · Aug 2022 · model year 2022
Loose bolts may fall out, causing the remaining bolts to break, which could lead to separation of the trailer hitch and trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V514000 · Jul 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 22V245000 · Apr 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 22V152000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 22V086000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2020, 2021
Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 21V892000 · Nov 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
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.
Safety · 21V812000 · Oct 2021 · model year 2021
The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 21V616000 · Aug 2021 · model year 2021
A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
Safety · 21V132000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2021
An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 21V026000 · Jan 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V716000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2021
A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 20V712000 · Nov 2020 · model years 2020, 2021
A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 20V702000 · Nov 2020 · model years 2020, 2021
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.
Exterior lighting · 20V504000 · Aug 2020 · model year 2020
A headlight aimed incorrectly aimed reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V505000 · Aug 2020 · model year 2020
In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.