2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#6 most-complained of 6 Atlas Cross Sport years
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport ranks best (rank 6 of 6) among model years, with a complaint index of 0, 18 complaints, and 6 recalls. Its top problem area is the engine, at 39% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 18
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24 hwy
Top 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine7 (39%)
- Airbags5 (28%)
- Electrical System4 (22%)
- Other4 (22%)
- Brakes3 (17%)
- Fuel System2 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (6%)
What owners report
- Owners report the engine stalling suddenly at red lights or while accelerating from a stop, requiring the driver to shift to park and restart.
- Some describe the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly while in neutral, including inside a car wash, with no warning.
- Owners report loud or grinding brake noise on a new vehicle, with one describing shaking during braking and being told rotors needed replacement.
- Several contacts reported receiving the airbag passenger occupant detection system recall notice (Campaign 24V464000) but found replacement parts unavailable for an extended period.
- One owner reported the car stalling in an intersection while a child was in the vehicle after the light turned green.
2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V434000Jun 30, 2025Suspension, Wheels & Tires546 vehicles
Suspension
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.) of affected vehicles may not have been correctly tightened during the manufacturing process.
Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42HX.
- NHTSA 24V464000Jun 20, 2024Airbags271,330 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 22V807000Oct 26, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires33 vehicles
Suspension:critical fasteners
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.
Risk: 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.
See all 6 recalls for the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport →
2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2023 compared with other Atlas Cross Sport years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 model has a complaint index of 0 and ranks best (6th of 6 model years), with 18 complaints and 6 recalls.
- What problems does the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?
- The top problem area is the Engine at 39% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 28% and Electrical System at 22%. Owners report engine stalling at stops and unexpected shutdowns.
- Does the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport, covering suspension bolts, the airbag passenger occupant detection system, engine connecting rod bearings, and brake lines.
- How does the 2023 model compare to other Atlas Cross Sport years?
- The 2023 model has a complaint index of 0, the lowest among the six model years with data, compared to 100 for 2021 and 80 for 2024, both rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
- EPA rates it at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 24 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,100.