RoadVitals

2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Sep 8, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 106 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 8, 2026

steering went out completly and the SUV shut off in the middle of the street. had to restart car to get it home. SUV shut off in the middle of a turn. Had the SUV checked at dealership and they found a bad steering unit. I had the SUV in 3 times with the complaint and they found nothing until the warranty ran out. Neillo VW checked it in 2020,2021,2023 and say they found nothing,

NHTSA ID
11762785
Incident
Sep 7, 2026
Steering
Filed Feb 22, 2025

Steering makes a noise. SOS light is red and it's the second time this happens. Last time the dealerships charged me $700.00 to fixed it. And now it's red again, and it hasn't even passed 2 months.

NHTSA ID
11644328
Incident
Feb 22, 2025
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 29, 2025

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 the dealership to diagnose and give an estimate of the cost to get this fixed. It started with the dashboard lights turning on an off randomly.

NHTSA ID
11639317
Incident
Jan 18, 2025
Steering
Filed Oct 11, 2021

Steering rack issue for second time full replacement of steering rack for the second time Also front links recall, replaced Strange popping coming from top of vehicle, sounds like rocks are being dropped on the top of the car Road Noise at speeds over 75 mph

NHTSA ID
11436340
Incident
Sep 14, 2021
Steering
Filed Aug 25, 2021

For the second time since purchase 6/2020 we are taking the car in for suspected steering rack issues. We have already had the steering rack replaced, we have clunking/clicking when turning when we turn the wheel to the left. VW to address the issue next week

NHTSA ID
11430536
Incident
Aug 21, 2021
Steering
Filed Mar 18, 2021

I BROUGHT CAR IN FOR A RECALL INSPECTION, THAT REQUIRED PHOTOS OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS NUMBER. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE ME WITH THE PHOTOS AND I QUESTIONED WHER ARE THE PHOTOS , THEY SENT ME SOME GENERIC PHOTOS OF AN UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR BUT NOTHING WITH CLEARLY VISIBLE PART NUMBERS. THE INSPECTION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN DONE CORRECTLY AND IF THE PART BREAKS IT RESULTS IN A LOSS OF STEERING AND A TRAGIC ENDING FOR THE CAR AND DRIVER.

NHTSA ID
11403708
Incident
Mar 15, 2021
Mileage
1,600 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 24, 2020

PERSISTENT NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, LOUD CLICKING MORE SO WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. VIDEO EVIDENCE PRESENTED TO DEALER AFTER IT HAD BEEN IN TO THE SHOP ONCE BEFORE AND IT WAS DETERMINED FAULTY STEERING RACK,

NHTSA ID
11366143
Incident
Oct 2, 2020
Mileage
2,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 24, 2020

STEERING MAKES CREAKING AND NOISE WHEN TURNING EVEN WHEN STOPPED. DEALER REPLACED SWAY BAR LINKS TODAY VIA TSB. PROBLEM NOT FIXED, DEALER TEST DROVE AFTER FIX AND DETERMINED IT COULD POSSIBLY BE CLOCKSPRING. OTHERS ONLINE HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES, SOME SAY REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE RACK IS REQUIRED, I HOPE NOT.

NHTSA ID
11360947
Incident
Sep 24, 2020
Mileage
2,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .