If your 2020-2021 Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport is in recall 20V712, do not drive. Volkswagen will fix it free.
A damaged steering knuckle can fail and cause loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. If it has to move, ask the dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 776 2020-2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs because one or both steering knuckles were damaged during production. Do not drive an included vehicle: a damaged steering knuckle can fail and cause loss of steering, which increases crash risk, and a Volkswagen dealer will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The steering knuckle on the 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport is the heavy mounting point that connects the wheel hub, suspension strut, and steering parts. It lets the front wheel turn with the steering system while also holding the wheel in the correct position as the suspension moves. That part has to keep its shape under steering and road loads.
On affected vehicles, the steering knuckle came from a production lot where a machining process was not performed to specification. Volkswagen found that one or both knuckles were damaged during production, including in the area near the strut mount. A damaged knuckle can fracture instead of carrying the normal load, which is why Volkswagen warned owners included in NHTSA campaign 20V712 not to drive the vehicle.
There is no warning sign before failure. If your VIN is included, do not drive the vehicle until a Volkswagen dealer replaces the affected steering knuckle.
Who's affected?
Covers the Atlas Cross Sport across 2020 and 2021, plus the 2021 Atlas, all tied to the steering system.
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas | steering system |
|---|---|
| 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | steering system |
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | steering system |
| Units affected | 776 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A damaged steering knuckle can fail and cause loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. If it has to move, ask the dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the steering-knuckle inspection and any needed repair are complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to move to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free steering-knuckle inspection and replacement if needed, which addresses damaged knuckles that can fail and cause loss of steering.
- Bring any Volkswagen recall notice you received, and reference recall number 20V712 and Volkswagen recall 40Q6 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician inspects the steering knuckle and replaces it if inspection shows damage from production. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, and the repair is available now. Do not drive the vehicle until it has been inspected and repaired if needed. Volkswagen has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related steering knuckle repair before the recall notice. Bring documented repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Volkswagen customer service to start the reimbursement review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 17, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 19, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 20, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| November 20, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 20, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 20, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V712?
Recall 20V712 covers 776 2021 Volkswagen Atlas and 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vehicles with steering knuckles that were damaged during production. A damaged steering knuckle can fail and cause loss of steering. Do not drive the vehicle until a Volkswagen dealer inspects it and completes any needed repair for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V712. If it is, do not drive it. Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask for the steering knuckle inspection under recall 20V712. Reference Volkswagen recall number 40Q6 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be completed at no cost. Volkswagen dealers will inspect the steering knuckle and replace it if needed, free of charge. Parts and labor are covered under recall 20V712.
What does do not drive mean for this Volkswagen recall?
Do not drive the vehicle until the dealer inspects it and completes any needed steering knuckle replacement. The recalled part is part of the steering system, and failure can cause loss of steering. Ask the Volkswagen dealer about towing if the vehicle must be moved.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V712000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V712 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V712000 |
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 →