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2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 165 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, most often about the electrical (33% of complaints, typically around 9,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Atlas Cross Sport model year since 2000 and has 14 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport problems
Electrical
54 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated while driving at 8 MPH, the automatic emergency braking system engaged and the vehicle stopped abruptly. The emergency parking brake warning light illuminated. An audible message "ignition is turned on" was engaged. The contact stated that he…
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that the front and rear passengerâs side windows activated and rolled down independently and without warning. The contact also stated that the windows occasionally failed to roll up after multiple attempts. The dealer was notified of the…
Air bags
37 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while self-inspecting the vehicle, she noticed an excessive amount of water inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the water was coming from the HVAC system. Additionally, the contact stated that the display screen failed to operate as…
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that the front and rear passengerâs side windows activated and rolled down independently and without warning. The contact also stated that the windows occasionally failed to roll up after multiple attempts. The dealer was notified of the…
Brakes
36 complaints · 22%The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen atlas sport. The contact stated that upon depression of the brake pedal, an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the brakes. She stated that the failure was intermittent and that no warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had called and taken the vehicle…
Engine
35 complaints · 21%The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to stohlman Volkswagen (8433 leesburg pike, tysons, va 22182) where the mechanic replaced the engine purge valve and returned the…
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with the driver control module failure. However, the driver control module was on backorder. The vehicle was…
Driver assistance
30 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, assist, warnings, adaptive cruise control.
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, various electrical failure had occurred with the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently brake without incident as the check engine warning light would…
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated while driving at 8 MPH, the automatic emergency braking system engaged and the vehicle stopped abruptly. The emergency parking brake warning light illuminated. An audible message "ignition is turned on" was engaged. The contact stated that he…
Other or unspecified
25 complaints · 15%Lights
18 complaints · 11%Fuel system
17 complaints · 10%The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the fuel door failed to open. The contact physically broke open the fuel door to refuel the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport recalls
Air bags: front passenger
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed november 18, 2022. Owners may contact volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or audiâs customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (audi) 45j7, and (vw) 45j6 and 45j8.
Full defect summary
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."
Equipment: software
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed september 16, 2022. Owners may contact volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91dv.
Full defect summary
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."
Fuel system: injectors
Risk: Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the long fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 20, 2022. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24id.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed june 20, 2022. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97gf.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: Without the reduced gvwr label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install the reduced gvwr label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed march 31, 2022. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 09d9.
Full defect summary
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."
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will repair the drain tube and replace the air bag control module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 14, 2022. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 87h4.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Risk: The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tightness of the wheel bearing bolts and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed november 2, 2021. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40r7.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: relays/solenoids
Risk: A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and as necessary, replace the relays, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed august 27, 2021. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97fr.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Risk: An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four wheels, and as necessary, replace the wheels, lug bolts ,and wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began march 4, 2021. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44q9.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering
Risk: A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace one or both steering knuckles, free of charge. The recall began february 16, 2021. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40q7.
Full defect summary
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.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began december 11, 2020. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91bb/91bc.
Full defect summary
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."
Steering
Risk: A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began november 19, 2020. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40q6. Note: owners are advised to do not drive the vehicle until the vehicle has been inspected and repaired if necessary.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: sidewall
Risk: 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.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect dot date code and mold number on the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began november 30, 2020. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44q5.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (54 complaints, typically around 9,500 miles); air bags (37 complaints, typically around 17,000 miles); brakes (36 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?
- 14 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 20, 2024 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
- It is the most complained-about Atlas Cross Sport model year since 2000, with 165 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.