Volkswagen

Atlas Cross Sport

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · model years 2020 to 2027

See all 12 Atlas Cross Sport trims All Volkswagen cars

The verdict

Best year: 2027. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 30; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 7.

Worst year: 2021. complaints: 165, about 2.8x this model's typical 60; recalls: 14, about 2x this model's typical 7.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2020	2Gas	20.5	256	$3,075	11	106	1	470	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, AIR BAGS 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 106, about 1.8x this model's typical 60 recalls: 11, about 1.6x this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 NHTSA advised parking the 2020 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 5 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	2Gas	21	256	$2,975	14	165	0	541	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, AIR BAGS 13%, SERVICE BRAKES 13%
complaints: 165, about 2.8x this model's typical 60 recalls: 14, about 2x this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 7 complaints reporting a fire: 1 NHTSA advised parking the 2021 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	2Gas	21.5	256	$2,900	7	72	0	398	SERVICE BRAKES 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, ENGINE 17%
complaints: 72, above this model's typical 60 recalls: 7, in line with this model's typical 7 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 59 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	2Gas	21.5	256	$2,900	6	19	0	300	ENGINE 22%, AIR BAGS 19%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%
complaints: 19, below this model's typical 60 recalls: 6, below this model's typical 7 Score: 81 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Gas	23	269	$2,700	8	99	0	263	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11%
complaints: 99, about 3.3x this model's typical 30 recalls: 8, above this model's typical 7 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 21 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Gas	23	270	$2,900	5	24	0	164	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18%, POWER TRAIN 16%
complaints: 24, below this model's typical 30 recalls: 5, below this model's typical 7 Score: 76 of 100, where higher is better.
2026	1Gas	23	no data	$2,900	2	0	0	no data	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 30 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 7 NHTSA advised parking the 2026 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 67 of 100, where higher is better.
2027	1Gas	24	no data	$2,800	0	0	0	no data	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 30 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 7 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2020: 20.5 to 2027: 24

Owner complaints2020: 106 to 2027: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.