CarModelProblems.com

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 3.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
156Complaints
14Recalls
9Crashes
1Fires
7Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (32.7% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Electrical System complaints here are 3.0× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System51 · 32.7%RecalledRecall 21V616000
Air Bags36 · 23.1%RecalledRecall 22V152000 · Recall 24V464000
Service Brakes35 · 22.4%No official action
Engine31 · 19.9%No official action
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking24 · 15.4%No official action
Exterior Lighting15 · 9.6%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS36 · 23.1%
SERVICE BRAKES35 · 22.4%
ENGINE31 · 19.9%
Unspecified / other24 · 15.4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING24 · 15.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING15 · 9.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM14 · 9%
SUSPENSION4 · 2.6%
STEERING4 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 156 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 14 campaigns

Wheels:rim

NHTSA campaign 21V132000 · 2021 · reported 03/03/2021

An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

NHTSA campaign 21V812000 · 2021 · reported 10/15/2021

The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

NHTSA campaign 21V892000 · 2021 · reported 11/17/2021

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:sidewall

NHTSA campaign 20V702000 · 2020 · reported 11/13/2020

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering

NHTSA campaign 20V712000 · 2020 · reported 11/17/2020

A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

NHTSA campaign 20V716000 · 2020 · reported 11/18/2020

A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering

NHTSA campaign 21V026000 · 2021 · reported 01/27/2021

A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring:relays/solenoids

NHTSA campaign 21V616000 · 2021 · reported 08/06/2021

A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 22V086000 · 2022 · reported 02/16/2022

Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:side/window

NHTSA campaign 22V152000 · 2022 · reported 03/28/2022

A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors

NHTSA campaign 22V245000 · 2022 · reported 04/13/2022

Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

NHTSA campaign 22V514000 · 2022 · reported 07/20/2022

A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

NHTSA campaign 22V815000 · 2022 · reported 10/31/2022

An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

NHTSA campaign 24V464000 · 2024 · reported 06/20/2024

A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“While driving 70mph down the highway, warning lights on the dash flashed but I’m not sure which ones, windows automatically rolled down and the emergency…”NHTSA complaint 11526678 — filed 06/12/2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“Electric problem / water likings inside the passenger floor. This has affected the rear cámara and touch screen of my vehicle. It suddenly stoped working…”NHTSA complaint 11516779 — filed 04/12/2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“Brakes are extremely loud and not as good as they should be for such a behemoth of an suv. Leads to a lot of uncertainty…”NHTSA complaint 11500627 — filed 01/07/2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1320211262022262023462024382025192026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 51 of 156 NHTSA complaints (32.7%), followed by air bags (36), service brakes (35), engine (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?

156 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have any recalls?

Yes — 14 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 21V132000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.