Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 8 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

8 total · 8 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 26V473000 · Jul 2026

A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V434000 · Jun 2025

A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V334000 · May 2025

A distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V100000 · Feb 2025

A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V723000 · Sep 2024

An obstructed brake fluid port can cause a loss of brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V480000 · Jun 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.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V464000 · Jun 2024

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V593000 · Aug 2023

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.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

94 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
25

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 8software faults 6
A recent report: 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…
Read full complaint

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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762988 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
33

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

software faults 29fire 1
A recent report: 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…
Read full complaint

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!

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763059 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
10

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 3premature wear 3loss of braking 3
A recent report: The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made abnormally loud squeaking and grinding sounds. The failure persisted…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes made abnormally loud squeaking and grinding sounds. The failure persisted, and the vehicle hesitated while responding with the brake pedal depressed while driving, causing the braking distance to be extended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the issue was normal vehicle operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 29,918.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11746157 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
4

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 2unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: When traveling at hwy speeds (about 55-60mph) on long straight stretches of road, the steering feels sticky when trying to slightly adjust the steering wheel to keep the car going straight in your…
Read full complaint

When traveling at hwy speeds (about 55-60mph) on long straight stretches of road, the steering feels sticky when trying to slightly adjust the steering wheel to keep the car going straight in your lane. In other words, when you are traveling on a straight stretches of hwy and you need to make very minor adjustments with the steering wheel to keep the car moving straight ahead, the steering wheel is resistant to those minor changes. You have to almost jerk the steering wheel to get it unstuck off of center.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11726043 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

airbags not deploying 2software faults 1
A recent report: Getting air bag warning for passenger side airbag not working

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11741136 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
16

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 2software faults 2
A recent report: The malfunction involves the windshield wiper control system, including the rain-sensing activation module and associated control software. The system activates windshield wipers without any driver…
Read full complaint

The malfunction involves the windshield wiper control system, including the rain-sensing activation module and associated control software. The system activates windshield wipers without any driver input under dry and clear conditions. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. Safety was compromised due to sudden and uncommanded wiper activation occurring during active driving conditions, including highway and nighttime operation. This results in temporary loss of visibility as the windshield is smeared by debris, requiring driver distraction to manually control or disable the system while operating the vehicle in traffic. Initial complaints regarding this issue were made by [XXX] during dealership service visits; however, those concerns were not consistently documented in the official repair records at the time they were reported and were initially dismissed or not formally recorded by service personnel until later intervention ensured the issue was entered verbatim on the service order. The issue has been reported and addressed during multiple dealership service visits; however, the condition has not been reliably reproduced and permanently corrected by the dealer despite documented repair attempts, including sensor replacement and manufacturer-level software (ODIS) updates. The malfunction has persisted after these interventions. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Volkswagen dealership service department. No inspection has been conducted by police, insurance representatives, or independent third parties. No consistent warning lamps or dashboard messages were present prior to the failure. The activation occurs unpredictably and without prior warning indicators. The issue first appeared intermittently at lower mileage and has continued through recent operation. The defect persists after multiple repairs and manufacturer intervention, indicating an uncorrectable electronic system failure causing an unresolved safety risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11733582 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
2

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: See attached document for complaint.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11686207 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 94 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2023 and 2026, roughly 31 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2024 has 94 complaints on file, more than the 2023 (18) and more than the 2025 (20). Of the 6 model years of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport we cover, the 2021 has the most (165). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.