Recall 20V702 affects 760 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles for over cured tires. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 760 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles equipped with Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires because the tires were over cured. A sidewall break or tread separation can cause sudden air loss and increase crash risk; Volkswagen dealers will replace the affected tires free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 255/50 R 20 105 T Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tire on the 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas supports the vehicle's weight, holds air pressure, and keeps the tread in contact with the road. Its sidewall is the tire's outer structure, and it has to flex while staying strong under heat, load, and speed.
In NHTSA campaign 20V702, affected vehicles received tires from a Continental production lot that spent too much time in the curing process. Curing is the heat and pressure step that hardens the rubber into its final shape. Too much curing can weaken the tire structure, so the sidewall can fail and the tire can lose air pressure suddenly.
There is no warning sign before this failure. The recall describes sudden loss of tire air pressure without warning, so a driver is not expected to get an early symptom before the tire goes flat.
Who's affected?
Covers Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs across the 2020 and 2021 model years, all tied to the same tire sidewall issue.
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | tire |
|---|---|
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas | tire |
| 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | tire |
| Units affected | 760 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
Over cured tires can develop a sidewall break, lose air pressure suddenly, or have the tread separate. Those failures increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before sudden air loss, so schedule the tire inspection soon and stop safely if a tire loses pressure. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport or Atlas is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free tire DOT-date-code and mold-number inspection that identifies over-cured tires with sidewall-break or tread-separation risk.
- Have the dealer replace any affected Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires free of charge.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. Reference recall number 20V702 and Volkswagen recall 44Q5 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the tire inspection and any needed replacement are complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician inspects the DOT date code and mold number on the tires to confirm whether they are part of this recall. Any affected tires are replaced free of charge under the recall. Out-of-pocket tire repairs or replacements already paid are handled through the new vehicle limited warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the affected vehicles are within the warranty period. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 13, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 30, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 12, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| January 12, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 12, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 12, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V702?
Recall 20V702 covers 760 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles equipped with certain Continental Cross Contact LX Sport tires, size 255/50 R 20 105 T. Volkswagen dealers inspect the DOT date code and mold number, then replace affected tires for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport or 2021 Atlas is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V702. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask for recall 44Q5. The dealer will inspect the tire DOT date code and mold number, then replace affected tires at no cost.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volkswagen's remedy says dealers will inspect the tires and replace affected tires free of charge. The repair is handled through a franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is sudden tire failure. Over cured tires can suffer a sidewall break with sudden air loss, or the tread can separate from the tire. Both conditions increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer inspection and tire replacement.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Atlas used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Atlas Cross Sport or Atlas is included, then reference recall 20V702 or Volkswagen recall 44Q5 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V702000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V702 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V702000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →