YearToAvoid

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 20 engine complaints for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, 28% of all 71 complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 38,173 miles. A related recall (22V753000) covers connecting rod bearing damage.

Engine complaints
20
28% of 71
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
38,173 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the engine suddenly shutting off while the vehicle is moving, often at stop lights or while merging, with a dashboard message telling the driver to restart the engine manually.
  • Some drivers say this stalling happens even with the auto stop/start feature disabled, and it can require shifting into park and restarting mid-traffic.
  • Several complaints describe a connecting rod bearing failure that caused visible smoke and a complete engine stoppage on the highway, matching the issue named in recall 22V753000.
  • Owners report water pump failures accompanied by a coolant warning light and concerns about overheating, occurring well under 20,000 miles in some cases.
  • One owner reported the engine burning excessive oil, needing extra quarts added at both the 20,000-mile and 30,000-mile marks.

When 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 15, 2022, latest Sep 14, 2026.

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2022Nov 2022May 2024Sep 2024Apr 2025Mar 2026
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Nov 2022 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

  1. NHTSA 22V753000Oct 7, 2022Engine76,515 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: 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).

Engine complaints by Atlas Cross Sport model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 202014 (13%)
  2. 202137 (22%)
  3. 202220 (28%)
  4. 20237 (39%)
  5. 202419 (20%)
  6. 20256 (26%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
NHTSA shows 20 engine-related complaints for the 2022 model year, accounting for 28% of the 71 total complaints filed for that year.
Is there a recall for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport engine?
Yes. Recall 22V753000 covers 2022-2023 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles where connecting rod bearings may become damaged. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the affected engine free of charge.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 38,173 miles.
What is the most common engine symptom reported?
The most frequently described symptom is the engine shutting off unexpectedly while driving, often at low speeds or while stopped, with a message asking the driver to restart the engine manually.
How does the 2022 model compare to other Atlas Cross Sport years for engine complaints?
The 2022 model's engine complaints make up 28% share of its year's total, higher than 2020 (13%), 2021 (22%), 2024 (20%), and 2025 (26%), but lower than 2023 (39%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.