Steering
Park It: do not driveFree remedy
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.
Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 165 owner complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Most complaints involve electrical system (54) and air bags (37). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
14campaigns
Latest Jun 2024
Owner complaints
165
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
14 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Air bags: front passenger
Free remedy
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.
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Free remedy
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."
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
165 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2021 – Sep 2026
- Electrical system54
- Air bags37
- Service brakes36
- Engine33
- Forward collision avoidance28
- Exterior lighting18
- Fuel/propulsion system16
- Visibility/wiper4
- Lane departure4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
54 reports1 crash1 fire
“My 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has experienced intermittent electrical failures while driving, including at highway speeds. The infotainment system first began shutting off intermittently around April 2026. At times, I had to pull over, place the vehicle in Park, turn it off, and restart it multiple times before the system would function again. On approximately XXX while traveling from [XXX] toward [XXX], the problem became much more serious. While driving on the highway, both the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment display suddenly went completely black at the same time. Because the instrument cluster was completely black, I could no longer see my speed or other important driving information. I activated the hazard lights while pulling over, but the visual hazard-light indicators were also not visible because the instrument cluster was black. The vehicle continued moving, but because critical information was no longer available, I pulled over safely and restarted the vehicle. I have also experienced intermittent malfunctions involving the driver assistance systems, including Lane Keeping Assist and Travel Assist warnings. On one occasion, the…”
Air bags
37 reports7 crashes
“Got an airbag alert light on driver console. Took it to VW dealer in [XXX]. They said the driver side airbag has a short to ground. And it’s not covered under the warranty. And it’s $2000 to fix. There has been a lot of problems with the wire harness from the manufacturer. And I feel like they should repair it.”
Service brakes
36 reports1 crash
“When I am driving the vehicle the brakes are always squeaking. When I took it to the dealership they stated that there was nothing wrong with the brakes. When I Google this this seems to be a common issue with the Volkswagen Atlas. But one thing also just the other day when I stopped on the brakes it felt like someone was slamming behind me.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S8)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Cross Sport Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 401 |
| Atlas Cross Sport 4motion Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 413 |
| Atlas Cross Sport Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 453 |
| Atlas Cross Sport 4motion Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 464 |
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUV AWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 15.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUV FWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.9%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2021 Atlas Cross Sport questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?
14 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport problems?
Owners filed 165 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (54), air bags (37), service brakes (36). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
How safe is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026