NHTSA (USA)High Risk
This page covers 15 recalls, 150 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, the most common complaints center on the airbag system and the forward collision avoidance system. Owners frequently report unexpected airbag deployment, curtain and side airbags firing without a crash, sometimes during routine low-speed maneuvers like turning. The forward collision avoidance system draws similar volume, with owners describing false alerts, unintended automatic braking, and the system activating in conditions where no obstacle was present. Electrical system complaints round out the top three, covering a range of issues owners connect to sensors and driver assistance features behaving erratically. Brake noise shows up across multiple reports as well, with owners describing persistent squeaking at startup and a grinding sound during gradual deceleration from highway speeds.
150
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has 15 recalls, with the most serious involving fuel injectors that can leak fuel and create a fire risk, along with steering knuckles that can fracture or fail and cause a sudden loss of steering control.
Two separate wheel attachment concerns round out the most critical issues: lug bolt holes machined incorrectly can prevent wheels from securing properly to the hub, and front wheel bearing bolts that were not tightened sufficiently can loosen over time, either way risking a wheel separating from the vehicle. A damaged relay in the engine compartment fuse box can keep the horn or starter running for an extended period, which can overheat and start a fire. Tires with the Continental Cross Contact LX Sport 255/50 R20 fitment can develop a sudden sidewall break or tread separation. A blocked air conditioning drain tube can let water reach the airbag control module, which may trigger an unintended airbag deployment.
On the occupant safety side, corroded door wiring contacts can delay front side airbag deployment in a side impact, and a fault in the passenger seat detection wiring can shut off the front passenger airbag entirely when someone is sitting there. Three separate recalls cover rearview camera failures where the image can go black, freeze, or fail to appear at all when reversing. The tire pressure monitoring system can fail to detect a simultaneous loss of pressure across all four tires. Vehicles with accessory side steps may be missing a label showing the reduced weight rating.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring fault in the passenger occupant detection system can cause the front passenger air bag to deactivate even when someone is sitting in that seat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the occupant detection sensor mat and wiring harness at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect when air pressure drops in all four tires at the same time, failing to alert you in time.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the tire pressure monitoring system software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing issue with the infotainment system's memory module may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying on the screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the infotainment software at no cost to restore rearview camera display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may not appear on the center screen when you shift into reverse, which violates Canadian regulations requiring this display.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will mail you instructions to visit a dealership for an infotainment software update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters, which can cause them to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the long fuel injectors at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Electrical contacts in the front door wiring harness can corrode, breaking the electrical connection and delaying deployment of the driver or passenger front side airbag during a side impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will secure and replace any front door wiring harness showing a fault code at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle's weight limit label was not updated to account for the added weight of accessory side steps, causing the label to show an inaccurate maximum weight rating.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the corrected weight limit label that reflects the side steps' added weight.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air conditioning drain tube may become blocked, allowing water to accumulate and leak into the vehicle near the air bag control module.
What the fix does
Dealers will clear the drain tube and replace the air bag control module if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that secure the front wheel bearings may not have been tightened properly during manufacturing, potentially causing them to loosen.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the tightness of the wheel bearing bolts and replace them if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Damaged relays in the engine compartment fuse box may unintentionally activate the horn or engine starter.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the relays and replace them if needed, at no charge to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The holes where wheel bolts attach to the wheel hub may have been drilled incorrectly, preventing the bolts from securing the wheel properly to the hub.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect all four wheels and replace wheels, lug bolts, and wheel bearings as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front steering knuckle may crack near where the strut attaches, potentially affecting steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace one or both steering knuckles as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear view camera may malfunction when the vehicle is started, causing the infotainment display to go black or freeze.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the infotainment system software at no cost to restore camera function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
One or both steering knuckles may have been damaged during production, affecting how the front wheels connect and move.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the steering knuckles and replace them if necessary, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires on these vehicles may have been over cured during manufacturing, which can affect tire performance and durability.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the tire date code and mold number, then replace affected tires at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
