This page covers 6 recalls, 16 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, the airbag system draws the most complaints by volume, though many of those reports lack detailed symptom descriptions, making it difficult to identify a specific recurring failure mode. The engine and service brakes each account for a small number of reports. On the brake side, at least one owner describes repeated concerns with braking performance that went unresolved through multiple dealer visits, alongside reported failures of automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning to activate when expected. With only 16 total complaints on file for this model year, the complaint pool is thin, and no single system shows a strong pattern of clearly described, repeating symptoms.
16
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
By System
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has 6 recalls, the most serious involving engine connecting rod bearings that can fail, causing the engine to stall or leak oil in a way that raises the risk of a crash or fire.
Two separate brake and chassis concerns also warrant attention. Brake lines at their threaded connections can leak fluid, increasing stopping distances. A broader group of chassis, suspension, and brake system bolts may not have been torqued correctly during assembly, which can lead to loss of vehicle control. Separately from that, the driver-side rear trailing arm bolts may loosen and fall out entirely, causing the trailing arm to fracture and the vehicle to become suddenly uncontrollable.
On the airbag side, door wiring harness contacts can corrode and delay the side airbag from deploying during a side-impact crash. There is also a fault in the wiring for the front passenger seat sensor that can incorrectly deactivate the passenger airbag even when someone is seated, leaving that occupant without airbag protection in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain bolts securing the chassis, brakes, and suspension parts—including cross members, engine mounts, control arms, subframes, and rear brake carriers—may not have been properly tightened during manufacturing.
What the fix does
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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 →
Dealers will replace any loose or improperly tightened bolts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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
Driver-side rear trailing arm bolts may not have been tightened properly during manufacturing, allowing them to loosen and fall out.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver-side rear trailing arm bolts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, potentially causing complete engine failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the engine and replace it if necessary, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake lines may leak at the threaded connections in certain 2023 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected brake lines 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.
