Recall 21V026 affects 10,303 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas SUVs for steering knuckle fractures. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 10,303 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles because the front steering knuckle can fracture near the strut mount. A fracture can cause loss of vehicle control and raise crash risk, and Volkswagen dealers will inspect and replace the steering knuckle free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The steering knuckle on the 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas is the heavy metal joint that sits at each front wheel. It holds the wheel hub, ties the steering system to the wheel, and gives the strut a solid mounting point so the suspension and steering stay aligned as the vehicle moves.
On the recalled SUVs, the front steering knuckle was built from parts supplied through a sub-supplier that did not make them to Volkswagen's factory specifications. The concern is a fracture near the strut mounting area. If that section breaks, the wheel and suspension can shift out of position instead of holding the angle the steering system commands.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not expect a noise, dashboard light, or steering feel change to appear first.
Who's affected?
Covers Atlas Cross Sport in 2020 and 2021, plus Atlas in 2021, all tied to the steering knuckle.
| 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | steering system |
|---|---|
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | steering system |
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas | steering system |
| Units affected | 10,303 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the recall inspection soon and avoid putting off the dealer visit. 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 steering-knuckle inspection and any needed replacement that addresses the front steering knuckle fracture risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V026 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection and any needed repair are complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician inspects the front steering knuckles, especially the strut mounting area, for damage or fracture risk. Any steering knuckle that fails inspection is replaced under the recall. The recall covers parts and labor at no cost. Volkswagen is not offering reimbursement for this campaign, so prior out-of-pocket steering knuckle repairs are not handled through a separate recall reimbursement program.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| January 27, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 16, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 26, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| March 26, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 26, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V026?
Recall 21V026 covers 10,303 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. The front steering knuckle can fracture near the strut mounting area, which can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. Volkswagen dealers will inspect and replace steering knuckles for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport or 2021 Volkswagen Atlas is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V026. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask for recall 40Q7. The dealer will inspect the front steering knuckles and replace one or both for free if needed.
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 and replace one or both steering knuckles free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2021.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. If a front steering knuckle fractures near the strut mounting area, the vehicle can become harder to control and crash risk increases. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer inspection and repair.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm inclusion in recall 21V026, then call a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall 40Q7 when scheduling the inspection.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V026000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V026 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V026000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →