Volkswagen

Atlas Cross Sport (1st)

2020-2025 · Midsize SUV ยท 3 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.8)
380 NHTSA Complaints
28 Recalls
3 Fire Reports
15 Crash Reports
๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

2.0 TSI

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 235 hp
โœ… Recommended (3.8)
42 complaints 10.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
15
brakes
14
electrical
14
engine
8
fuel system
4

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (15 complaints)
Brakes Issues (14 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (14 complaints)

3.6 FSI

3.6L 6-cyl / 276 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.8)
287 complaints 36.2 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
101
electrical
85
engine
62
brakes
52
other
36

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (101 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (85 complaints)
Engine Issues (62 complaints)

Same engine used in

TSI

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 235 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.7)
45 complaints 9.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
22
safety systems
17
brakes
13
other
6
engine
4

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (22 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (17 complaints)
Brakes Issues (13 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Unidentified Engine

โœ… Recommended (4.6)
6 complaints 2.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
3
cooling
2
other
1
body
1
safety systems
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (3 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (2 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport regardless of engine variant.

Safety Systems Issues (133 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Electrical System Issues (121 complaints)
electrical critical
Brakes Issues (79 complaints)
brakes critical
Engine Issues (65 complaints)
engine serious
Fuel System Issues (28 complaints)
fuel_system serious

Recalls (28)

25V434000Jun 29, 2025serious
Service Brakes

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.) of affected vehicles may not have been correctly tightened during the manufacturing process.

25V334000May 20, 2025serious
Back Over Prevention

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

25V100000Feb 16, 2025serious
Engine

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces.

25V081000Dec 1, 2025serious
Powertrain

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The transmission may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loss of drive power.

24V723000Sep 26, 2024serious
Service Brakes

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been assembled with an incorrect secondary piston spring retainer, which can block the brake fluid port.

24V480000Jun 26, 2024serious
Back Over Prevention

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Golf R, Golf GTI, 2024 Atlas, and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The rearview camera image may be delayed or deactivated after shifting into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

24V464000Jun 19, 2024serious
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.

23V215000Mar 28, 2023serious
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.

23V593000Aug 22, 2023serious
Engine & Cooling

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas PA2 and Atlas Cross Sport PA vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.

22V815000Oct 30, 2022serious
Tires

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system may not detect an air pressure loss in adequate time when deflating occurs among all four tires simultaneously. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

22V657000Aug 30, 2022serious
Trailer Hitches

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The trailer hitch bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.

22V152000Mar 27, 2022serious
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. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.

22V807000Oct 25, 2022serious
Suspension

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Volkswagen Atlas FL and 2022-2023 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The driver-side rear trailing arm bolts may not have been tightened properly, allowing them to loosen and fall out.

22V718000Sep 25, 2022serious
Service Brakes

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 model year Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Certain brake lines may leak at the threaded connections.

22V514000Jul 19, 2022serious
Back Over Prevention

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. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

22V086000Feb 15, 2022serious
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. The reduced Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) label, reflecting the additional weight of the side steps, was not installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

22V245000Apr 12, 2022serious
Fuel System

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.

22V753000Jul 9, 2022serious
Engine & Cooling

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.

21V026000Jan 26, 2021serious
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.

21V892000Nov 16, 2021serious
Visibility

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The air conditioning system drain tube could be blocked, causing water to leak inside the vehicle near the air bag control module.

21V812000Oct 14, 2021serious
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.

21V616000Jun 7, 2021serious
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.

21V132000Mar 2, 2021serious
Wheels

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The lug bolt holes on the wheels may have been machined incorrectly, preventing the wheel bolt from sufficiently attaching to the wheel bearing hub.

20V504000Aug 25, 2020serious
Exterior Lighting

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Atlas Cross Sports and 2021 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side headlight may have been aimed too low during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

20V505000Aug 25, 2020serious
Seats

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

20V716000Nov 17, 2020serious
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. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

20V712000Nov 16, 2020serious
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.

20V702000Nov 12, 2020serious
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.

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2020-2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport problems?

The 2020-2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has accumulated 380 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Electrical System, Brakes. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport engine is most reliable?

The 2020-2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L Turbo 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2020-2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport a good used car?

The 2020-2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 380 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020-2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?

The 2020-2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has 380 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2020-2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?

There are 28 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2020-2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?

Before buying a used Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Electrical System, Brakes, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Atlas Cross Sport?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 380 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver