VehicleVerdict

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport sits mid-pack among Atlas Cross Sport years: 112 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 112, with 7 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (23), engine (19), and electrical system (19), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

112

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2022 compare to other Atlas Cross Sport years?

Atlas Cross Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted268 complaints2020: 156 complaints2021: 268 complaints2022: 112 complaints2023: 25 complaints2024: 157 complaints2025: 33 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Atlas Cross Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Atlas Cross Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes2321%
Electrical System1917%
Engine1917%
Driver Assistance1312%
Other1211%
Airbags109%
Fuel System76%
Lighting33%
Steering22%
Speed Control11%
Body & Structure11%
Transmission11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V464000AirbagsJune 20, 2024 · 271,330 units

Defect

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.

22V807000SuspensionOctober 26, 2022 · 33 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Unsecured bolts may cause the trailing arm to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

22V753000EngineOctober 7, 2022 · 76,515 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.

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).

22V657000Trailer HitchAugust 31, 2022 · 3,184 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The trailer hitch bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.

Consequence

Loose bolts may fall out, causing the remaining bolts to break, which could lead to separation of the trailer hitch and trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N8.

22V514000Electrical SystemJuly 20, 2022 · 43,091 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.

22V245000Fuel SystemApril 13, 2022 · 1,382 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters.

Consequence

Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the long fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24iD.

22V152000AirbagsMarch 28, 2022 · 222,892 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Upon breaking its a grinding at time with squeaking. I’ve taken concern 2-3 times now to dealership and they say there’s nothing wrong with breaks. They have given me no resolution in fixing. It happens on a daily. Depending how breaking happens. I’ve never owned a vehicle that had this issue…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 28, 2022

“When parking the car it hit the other parking vehicle on the right side of it. The sensors didn't work at the time of the collision or after the collision. The vehicle is taking a force parking when the parking button is turned on. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 21, 2021 · crash

“Lease 10/29/2021. Remote start never worked. Diagnosed as faulty fuel pump. Replaced. Two days later remote start stopped working and check engine light came on. VW service advised vehicle safe to drive. Days later broke down due to no fuel. Fuel guage always says tank full. Last week park brake…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 9, 2022

“Front brakes make scratching sound, dealer alleged brakes and rotor are fine after inspection. Steering wheel shakes at times when braking down hill. Cabin too noisy, air and sauna enter cabin by driver side door. Reported issue to dealer, they alleges the seal may need to be replaced; but not…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · September 25, 2025

“Initially, my Atlas would not auto-start with the key fab. When I returned to my vehicle, the lights flashed, it gave a battery warning, then I was able to start the vehicle. However, several lights on the dashboard cycled through, radio/center console was non-responsive, and I could not get my car…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 15, 2025 · fire

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport — common questions

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport reliable?

It is close to typical for the Atlas Cross Sport: 112 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2022 Atlas Cross Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (23 complaints), engine (19 complaints), electrical system (19 complaints).

Does the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Atlas Cross Sport years to avoid are 2021. The cleanest record among Atlas Cross Sport years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.