2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 30, 2026WAAirbagsElectrical System

   HVAC water tubing has leaked on to the airbag control module causing airbag errors and many other electrical faults. This is a known safety problem under recall 87H4, NHTSA campaign 21V892. However, Volkswagen stated my VIN is not eligible for this recall. Note: this diagnostic was not performed at a dealership but at an independent German car repair shop.

   NHTSA complaint #11753798 · source
2. Filed Apr 10, 2026ALElectrical SystemLightingOther / Unknown

   While driving, the vehicle experiences intermittent electrical malfunctions affecting multiple systems. The door locks cycle repeatedly, windows roll down on their own, and when attempting to roll the windows back up, they immediately roll back down. The dashboard lights flicker, become extremely bright, and at times go out completely. The central display (including Apple CarPlay) also shuts off entirely. Multiple warning alerts appear, including emergency brake warnings.…

   NHTSA complaint #11730429 · source
3. Filed Dec 17, 2025CTElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   The car was purchased brand new in 2020. In 2022, the heating core broke and had to be replaced. This has happened again. This is a safety issue, the defroster is blowing cold air and not clearing the windshield properly. Having to drive a vehicle while freezing is also a safety hazard. A vehicle that is 5 years old, should not have this happen twice. Volkswagen was contacted and said there was not anything they could do. I read online that many with 2019 & 2020 Atlas &…

   NHTSA complaint #11705501 · source
4. Filed Jan 29, 2025TXElectrical SystemSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   Having issues with the vehicle Power Train, Steering, Steering wheel locked, Suspension, Blind Spot Warning, Parking Collision, Automatic Emergency Braking are just a few I can remember. After all these dashboard lights started flickering the truck wouldn't turn back on leaving me stranded at least 3 times. I have called the local Volkswagen dealership since my lease is up in a few weeks and they will not take the truck if it isn't running. They advise to have it towed to…

   NHTSA complaint #11639317 · source
5. Filed Jul 18, 2024MIDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   About two months ago, all of sudden, all of the electronic safety features were going out as reported on the dash. ECS, Lane Assist, Forward/Rear Collission sensors, side detection sensors, parking assist, tire pressure sensors, Auto Start/Stop, and more. The fact that all of these electronic assist and safety features were all disabled made the care very dangerous and confusing to drive. Changing lanes for example became a safety hazard, backing up safety hazard, lane…

   NHTSA complaint #11603191 · source
6. Filed May 8, 2024WAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   I have a problem with navigation. My location is not determined correctly, the route is constantly being reroute. vw atlas cs 2020 sel premium. This happens with regular navigation and with Google / Apple maps when connected via wire. The problem is 100% with the car. Took it to the dealer (Washington). They said it was a big problem and VW didn't know how to fix it. Navigation is an important element; during trips it is easy to get lost and create an emergency situation.…

   NHTSA complaint #11587574 · source
7. Filed Mar 28, 2024VAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Received an error Emergency SOS call function failure! I took my vehicle to VW Loyalty and paid $180 to get a diagnosis. I was told that the carnet module needed replacement and would cost me a bit over $1200. They said that it was a known issue amongst 20-21 versions of the vehicle. I researched to find if anyone else experienced the same with this car and to my surprise, there are a slew of individuals with this issue on the vwatlas forum expressing my exact concerns. If…

   NHTSA complaint #11579847 · source
8. Filed Mar 27, 2024GAElectrical System

   When driving the car the GPS looses its location making it impossible to proceed to a planned destination. It causes you to try to fix the issue while driving and locating a place to pull off the road. It has taken me to places were I did not want to go. The dealer can’t fix the problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11579757 · source
9. Filed Feb 9, 202438,000 miTXElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The contact stated that when the cellphone was connected to the cellphone port in the vehicle, the connection was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was due to an inoperable carnet module and that the carnet module needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts to complete the repair were ordered but on back order. The vehicle was not repaired.…

   NHTSA complaint #11570964 · source
10. Filed Jul 26, 2023MOElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

    While driving at approximately 10-15mph the engine shut off and was forced to come to a stop and restart the engine. The error read "Engine start/stop error, manually restart engine." I have been reading that this is a known issue by Volkswagon but they are not addressing. Luckily my car was just going onto an offramp when the engine shut off.

    NHTSA complaint #11534606 · source
11. Filed Oct 3, 2022WIDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

    Adaptive cruise control (acc) will not work if you remote started the vehicle. To get it normally work, you have to fully switch off the car and then push start it. Had the vehicle checked by vw dealer and they found no problem, but the car won't engage cruise after remote start. After months of this; the remote start will not work. Carnet told me to wait on an update to be released soon.....it has been 10 months and same story every time I call. Dealer can't get it sorted…

    NHTSA complaint #11487768 · source
12. Filed Sep 5, 2022MDBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

    After 6-7 occurrences over a year of an unidentifiable warning light type object appearing in the Vehicle Information portion of the dashboard. Also two (2ea) separate trips to the Volkswagen Dealership for repair of this issue. I was driving on raining soaked highway, as I was slowing down for stopped traffic ahead (traveling at approximately 25 mph), the aforementioned warning light flashed on and immediately and automatically applied the brakes causing the vehicle to skid…

    NHTSA complaint #11482926 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology