2021 Volkswagen ATLAS CROSS SPORT
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Volkswagen ATLAS CROSS SPORT has 267 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: after getting a car wash the screen blacked out for around 24 hours. during that the backup camera did not work, the charging ports in the middle did not work, and i was unable to listen to the radio. also, fluid keeps leaking in moderate puddles even when the air is not on.. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
267
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
3.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
52 complaints- • After getting a car wash the screen blacked out for around 24 hours. During that the backup camera did not work, the charging ports in the middle did not work, and I was unable to listen to the radio. Also, fluid keeps leaking in moderate puddles even when the air is not on.
- • There is a wiring harness that is faulty and it causes the car to think the door is open which causes the car to put the emergency brake on while coming to a stop.
- • Error message “driver door contact switch” occurs, drive door and driver side passenger windows roll down, locks disengage, alarms ding and causes a sensor to engage the emergency parking break which occured both while stationary or while moving.
“After getting a car wash the screen blacked out for around 24 hours. During that the backup camera did not work, the charging ports in the middle did not work, and I was unable to listen to the radio. Also, fluid keeps leaking in moderate puddles even when the air is not on.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
AIR BAGS
36 complaints- • I was in a front end collision, no airbags were deployed.
- • My adaptive cruise control AND airbags FAILED when traffic ahead of me suddenly stopped. (There was NO airbag deployment.) I crashed into the person in front of me who then hit the person in front of them. The vehicle is available for inspection. I told the dealership at my 10k scheduled maintenance
- • brakes are squeaking at 15k , airbag light on, cracking noise when turning corners
“I was in a front end collision, no airbags were deployed.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BRAKES
35 complaints- • 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
- • brakes are squeaking at 15k , airbag light on, cracking noise when turning corners
- • With 10k miles and barely over a year, my atlas cross sport needs new brakes and rotors! Brought to dealership and opened a case with VW corporate but they won’t cover it because I’ve owned it more than a year. The dealership service manager even said they have had seen this issue with other atlas
“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 ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
33 complaints- • TL* 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
- • On May 14, 2021, driving at approximately 65 mph, the check engine warning light appeared flashing for the first time since purchase (purchase date April 30, 2021 - two weeks from vehicle purchase date), vehicle lost acceleration and shook aggressively on a major interstate highway. Owner pulled veh
- • About two weeks after purchasing my brand new VW Atlas Cross Sport 2021 (purchased March of 2021) the dash board warning systems have not properly worked. The screen constantly freezes and occasionally a warning appears for vehicle collision assistance when nothing is in front of me. The tire pressu
“TL* 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”
— NHTSA complaint filing
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
33 complaints- • After getting a car wash the screen blacked out for around 24 hours. During that the backup camera did not work, the charging ports in the middle did not work, and I was unable to listen to the radio. Also, fluid keeps leaking in moderate puddles even when the air is not on.
- • My brand new 2021 cross sport (12,600 miles) suddenly started displaying multiple (5) error messages while I was driving. One of the errors was “driver door contact switch”. The check engine light came on and WHILE driving my car spontaneously began activating emergency braking maneuvers even though
- • My adaptive cruise control AND airbags FAILED when traffic ahead of me suddenly stopped. (There was NO airbag deployment.) I crashed into the person in front of me who then hit the person in front of them. The vehicle is available for inspection. I told the dealership at my 10k scheduled maintenance
“After getting a car wash the screen blacked out for around 24 hours. During that the backup camera did not work, the charging ports in the middle did not work, and I was unable to listen to the radio. Also, fluid keeps leaking in moderate puddles even when the air is not on.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 267 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: After getting a car wash the screen blacked out for around 24 hours. During that the backup camera did not work, the charging ports in the middle did not work, and I was unable to listen to the radio. Also, fluid keeps leaking in moderate puddles even when the air is not on.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: I was in a front end collision, no airbags were deployed.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: TL* 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Volkswagen ATLAS CROSS SPORT — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 267
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 14
- Injury reports
- 11
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Volkswagen ATLAS CROSS SPORT