Engine complaints by model year
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Turned off car after arrival at destination got back into car 5 minutes after turned car on and dash light up with multiple error codes. Main one being engine/transmission issue. Message stated car could be driven but limited. Tried to put car in drive but couldn't. Could only power on and off and put into neutral. Had to be towed to Volkswagen dealership on 1/30/26. No diagnosis yet and advisor stated they had to wait until Monday to open a case with Volkswagen. Car purchased July 2025 and only at 5242 miles. Since car was purchased the Bluetooth connection gets interrupted randomly and will disconnect. Bluetooth will not start working again until car has been shut off for an extended period of time. Mentioned to service advisor 1/30/26 and he stated it's a known issue with no solution. Since winter 2025 brakes have started to make a rumbling noise.
Follow-up to NHTSA complaint ODI #11742508 regarding the same vehicle and VIN. Vehicle experienced intermittent electrical failures while driving, including dashboard warning lights, charging system warnings, infotainment failures, communication fault codes, and intermittent loss of throttle response while entering intersections. Dealer initially stated they could not duplicate the issue and vehicle was returned multiple times despite ongoing safety concerns. Dealership has now confirmed an electrical failure involving the wire harness between the alternator and control module. Dealer stated they found an open circuit/short in the harness and ordered replacement parts after multiple repair attempts Concern remains regarding intermittent electrical and drivability failures affecting vehicle safety.
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Error Drive Speed" was displayed. Additionally, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 45 MPH, with the message "Engine Overheating" displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact became aware of an abnormal coolant odor and allowed the engine to cool down for several minutes. The contact stated that the "Drive System" message was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that it would take two weeks to diagnose the vehicle due to the dealer's service schedule. …
The contact owns a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, an overheating message was displayed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle entered LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 3 MPH. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot at a slow speed and became aware of an abnormal burning odor. The contact added coolant to the coolant reservoir, and the vehicle operated as intended. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving 35 MPH, and the driver drove cross several lanes of traffic to pull over to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the overheating message was erroneous, and that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired. …
My car cuts off while driving. For instance, I was at a red light, in the left turning lane, and the light turned green. I pressed the gas and it started going and then just cut off. Luckily there was no car behind me. However, I was halfway in the intersection as cars were coming towards me. I had my 3 year old in the car. This is very dangerous. This is just one incident. When backing out of a parking spot, I will get half way out of the spot and it cuts off. I've taken it to the dealership, but they won't help since they can't duplicate it. I reached out to Volkswagon on Twitter and all they did was have me take it to the dealership again. I received the same, non-concerned, attitude. Nothing has been done. I bought this car brand new. Also, the screen cuts off randomly and has to restart.
The vehicle simply shuts off with no warning or reason. I should NOT have to explain to anybody how this is a safety hazard to the driver and others around the vehicle. It shuts down while in a car wash and the vehicle is in Neutral. Thus, I have to brake, place the trans in Park then manually restart. The same happens at Stop Lights. All the time this is happening, the vehicle's "Auto On/Auto Off" mode has been manually disabled. VW KNOWS about this issue, although the dealerships like to play dumb, as it has been going on for several years now with still no solution in sight! Had I known about this issue before purchasing the vehicle I would never have purchased it! I would LOVE it if VW would buy back the vehicle and allow me to look for another SUV from an American car manufacturer.
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. …
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.
Related recalls (3)
Engine
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the engine cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10X5.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024 Atlas PA2 and Atlas Cross Sport PA vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (35), 2022 (20), 2024 (18), 2020 (9) and 2023 (6) model years. Engine complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport engine problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 25V-100 (engine, Feb 17, 2025); 23V-593 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Aug 23, 2023); 22V-753 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Oct 7, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles; 85% happened 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.