Recalls
11campaigns
4 air bag · 2 tire · 2 steering
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
106filed
Owner reports, 2020–2025 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Crash tests
5★overall
★★★★★ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★
Source: NHTSA NCAP
Fuel economy
22mpg combined
$2,969/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2 L 4-cyl· 8-speed automatic
2 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (11)
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Front Passenger Air Bag May Not Deploy
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
73.9% repairedof 271,330 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V464000
Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Front Passenger Air Bag May Not Deploy
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.
64% repairedof 143,053 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V215000
Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Tire Pressure Loss Not Detected/FMVSS 138
Tires · pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Official NHTSA text
- 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."
- Consequence
- An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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 Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
84.4% repairedof 296,044 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V815000
Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Delayed Deployment of Front Side Air Bag
Air bags · side/window
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
95.6% repairedof 222,892 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V152000
Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Reduced GVWR Label Missing/FMVSS 110
Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
- 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."
- Consequence
- Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
90.4% repairedof 3,648 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V086000
Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Blocked Drain Tube May Cause Air Bag Deployment
Air bags · air bag/restraint control module
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
97.2% repairedof 54,429 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V892000
Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Loss of Steering Due To Knuckle Failure
Steering
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
98.6% repairedof 10,303 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V026000
Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
NHTSA: Do not drive. NHTSA says owners should not drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. What a Do Not Drive recall means
Loss of Steering Due To Knuckle Failure
Steering
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
99.9% repairedof 776 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V712000
Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Overcured Tires Can Fail
Tires · sidewall
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
99.5% repairedof 760 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V702000
Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Driver's Side Headlight Aimed Too Low/FMVSS 108
Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- A headlight aimed incorrectly aimed reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will adjust the driver's side headlight, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94N7.
100% repairedof 11 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V504000
Listed for 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Not checked against your VIN.
Front Seat Backrest Frame Not Welded Properly
Seats
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
98.2% repairedof 5,376 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V505000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (106)
106 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
3involved a crash
1involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 106 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 33 | 31.1% |
| Air bags | 23 | 21.7% |
| Unknown or other | 23 | 21.7% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 17% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 15 | 14.2% |
| Engine | 9 | 8.5% |
| Steering | 8 | 7.5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 5.7% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 4.7% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 3.8% |
How 2020 compares with other Atlas Cross Sport years
Best and worst Atlas Cross Sport years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 106 | 11 |
| 2021 | 165 | 14 |
| 2022 | 72 | 7 |
| 2023 | 19 | 6 |
| 2024 | 97 | 8 |
| 2025 | 24 | 5 |
This year (2020)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 16.9%★★★★☆
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined
22
mpg combined
21
city
24
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 401 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year
Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 24 / 22 | $3,050 | 401 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 461 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2020 Atlas Cross Sport for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport FAQ
How many recalls does the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns: 24V464000 (air bag), 23V215000 (air bag), 22V815000 (tire), 22V152000 (air bag), 22V086000 (equipment), 21V892000 (air bag), 21V026000 (steering), 20V712000 (steering), 20V702000 (tire), 20V504000 (lighting), 20V505000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport problems?
Owners filed 106 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (33), Air bags (23), Unknown or other (23) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 21 city, 24 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport get?
NHTSA rated the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (16.9% rollover risk).
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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