2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Problems & Complaints

Average26% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Atlas Cross Sport at the same age

Owners have filed 74 complaints about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Atlas Cross Sport at the same age. The most reported problem area is the brakes (23 complaints, typically around 18,000 miles). 7 recalls cover this model year.

74complaints
7recalls
1crashes
1fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport problems

  • Brakes~18,000 miles
    2331%
  • Electrical system~25,000 miles
    2128%
  • Engine & cooling~51,000 miles
    2027%
  • Other / not specified
    1216%
  • Driver assistance
    1216%
  • Air bags~60,000 miles
    1014%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    79%
  • Lights
    45%
  • Steering
    23%
  • Body & structure
    11%
  • Transmission & drivetrain
    11%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof
    11%
  • Speed control & acceleration
    11%

Share of the 74 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport complaints by model year

2020202120222023202420252026107165741910124
Owner complaints per model year, Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Atlas Cross Sport years: 2023, 2025, 2022. Years to avoid: 2024. Compare all years →

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport recalls (7)

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 24V-464 · Jun 20, 2024 · 271,330 vehicles

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.

Suspension › Critical fasteners

NHTSA recall 22V-807 · Oct 26, 2022 · 33 vehicles

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.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 22V-753 · Oct 7, 2022 · 76,515 vehicles

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.

Trailer hitches

NHTSA recall 22V-657 · Aug 31, 2022 · 3,184 vehicles

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.

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.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 22V-514 · Jul 20, 2022 · 43,091 vehicles

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.

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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors

NHTSA recall 22V-245 · Apr 13, 2022 · 1,382 vehicles

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.

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.

Show 1 more recall

Air bags › Side/window

NHTSA recall 22V-152 · Mar 28, 2022 · 222,892 vehicles

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…

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.

What 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport owners say

Brakes all 23 →

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal metal on metal grinding sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure while slowing for traffic or while coming to a stop. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but over time became more frequent. Additionally, the "Emergency Stop" warning light illuminated, and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had then taken the vehicle to an authorized dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,285.

18,000 miles · Jun 2025

Since purchasing this car, i have had problems with the parking brake automatically turning on when driving and at every stop; the car doors in the front do not lock/unlock; causing a concern for emergency with two kids in the car. The sunroof malfunctions along with the windows working on their own, going up and down and the sunroof not closing. The electrical front panels malfunction and cause the break system to start on its own, the screens turn black and am unable to use the front power screen. The doors lock and unlock by themselves from the inside and outside, not able to use the buttons on the doors to lock/unlock. The windows constantly open and close by themselves, again causing safety harm for the children in the car. When the car comes to a stop sign and brakes, it will either shut off or the parking/emergency brake will engage automatically. …

Mar 2022

Electrical system all 21 →

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 to park. Eventually, I had to use the emergency break to park it. We jumped the vehicle and it did start again. However, very shortly thereafter it lit on fire and there were visible flames under the hood. We called the fire department, put the fire out with water and an extinguisher. Then we had the vehicle towed to the dealership. Its been more than 2 months since this incident and no work has been started. Volkswagen corporate sent an engineer out to inspect my car (confirmed by the dealership that they did visit) but still no work has begun. …

Aug 2025 · fire

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and became inoperable. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. Several unknown messages were displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred 10 minutes later while driving in a parking lot. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

25,000 miles · Jul 2025

Engine & cooling all 20 →

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that overnight 1/3 of the engine oil had leaked onto the ground. While starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal oil burning odor and visible smoke coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the VVT sensors, timing cover gasket, and timing cover needed to be replaced. The parts were replaced; however, the oil leak persisted, and the parts were replaced a second time. The contact was informed that the PCV was inoperable as per the Emissions Service Action Code: 10LP. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, the contact was advised that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense, minus the PCV. …

83,000 miles · Jul 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and became inoperable. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. Several unknown messages were displayed. The contact stated that the failure recurred 10 minutes later while driving in a parking lot. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

25,000 miles · Jul 2025

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo8-speed automaticFWD21 / 25 / 23
3.6L 6-cyl8-speed automaticFWD18 / 24 / 20

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport a good car?

Based on 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport rates average: 26% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Atlas Cross Sport at the same age. It is one of the best Atlas Cross Sport years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?

The brakes — 23 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (21) and engine & cooling (20).

How many recalls does the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?

There are 7 recalls for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, the most recent from June 20, 2024 (front passenger). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2025 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024. See the full Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport years comparison.

At what mileage do 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 25,000 miles; 57% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.