Carlexica

2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport: problems, recalls and reliability

6 recalls and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.

Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jun 2025

6
recalls
19
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Limited data: only 19 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)5 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)3 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)3 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)2 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)1 complaint
“Daytime Running Lights Failure - 2023 Model with 82,000 miles. Found numerous instances in online forums and social media post about problem. Daytime running light doesn't work which puts at risk Yes, problem has been confirmed. No component has not been inspected. No warnings or messages. Noticed daytime running light was not working.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2026
“The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while seated inside the parked vehicle, the contact became aware of a reflection and exited the vehicle and discovered that the daytime running lights were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The headlight assembly was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2026
“The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2024
“The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V464000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2024
“UNKOWN Brakes on brand new vehicle are exhibiting behavior that is not normal for a car of this size and relatively young age (miles). Measurably loud brake noise based on manufactures choice of materials in components leave concern on overall safety of brake system based on generally considered (except by dealer / manufacturer of course) unexpected behavior of vehicle braking system.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2024
“My car shuts off while driving. Also I have had brake issues. Grinding noise and loud noise. They relaced the brake pads that I had to pay for because manufactur pads would have cause the same issue. Now my car is shaking while I brake. They said I need new rotors. With the car shutting off while driving is my main concern. It has shut off a total of 8 time since I have owned it. Shut off radomly on street, parking lots and freeway going 65mph. I have my grand children in my car a lot. So therfore, this is a high risk safety concern of mine.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2023
“When car came to a stop at a red light I put my foot on the gas once the light turned green. When I tried to proceed through the light my car was at a complete stall. I had to then place the car in park, power the car off and then power the car back on. The other car behind me almost ran into the back of my car due to the light was green. When I contacted the dealership the service department they told me it was normal and don't worry about it. If it happens again then to bring the vehicle in.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2023

When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 6 campaigns

Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes, hydraulic)22V718000 · Sep 2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 model year Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Certain brake lines may leak at the threaded connections.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 23, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47T2.

Hard parts internal/mechanical (engine and engine cooling)22V753000 · Oct 2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).

Critical fasteners (suspension)22V807000 · Oct 2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Volkswagen Atlas FL and 2022-2023 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The driver-side rear trailing arm bolts may not have been tightened properly, allowing them to loosen and fall out.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver side rear trailing arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 25, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42M2.

Side/window (air bags)22V152000 · Mar 2022

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.

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.

Service brakes25V434000 · Jun 2025

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.) of affected vehicles may not have been correctly tightened during the manufacturing process.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42HX.

Front passenger (air bags)24V464000 · Jun 2024

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.

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.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2023 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Drive typeAWD/All-Wheel Drive

How other years compare

Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Atlas Cross Sport years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.

Check your exact Atlas Cross Sport by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport reliable?

NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The most complained-about area is air bags.

Does the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have open recalls?

6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.