Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published January 27, 2021
Volkswagen 2020 Atlas Cross Sport Steering Recall: Fractured Knuckle Risk
Volkswagen recalls 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles with possible steering knuckle fractures that could cause loss of vehicle control. Owners must have steering knuckles inspected and replaced free of charge.
“Volkswagen 2020 Atlas Cross Sport Steering Recall: Fractured Knuckle Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/80162-volkswagen-2020-atlas-cross-sport-steering-recall-fractured-knuckle-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #21V026000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V026000).
Volkswagen is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles due to a fractured steering knuckle that can cause loss of control, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall was announced on January 27, 2021. Owners should contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
How to tell if you have it
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, 2020-2021
Volkswagen Atlas, 2021
What to do
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace one or both steering knuckles, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
The hazard
A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. The front steering knuckle may fracture in the area of the strut mounting.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has 276 other recalls on record since 2014-10-20. Other recent recalls of similar products include Toyota Lexus RX 2026 Steering Recall (2026-09-17), Hyundai 2026 Kona Steering Recall (2026-02-06), and Ford Explorer 2019 Suspension Recall (2026-02-20).
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your vehicle is a 2020 or 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The recall began February 16, 2021, and applies to specific model years.
Brand
Volkswagen
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Volkswagen
Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 to schedule a steering knuckle inspection and possible replacement.
Get Steering Knuckles Inspected
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both steering knuckles free of charge.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace one or both steering knuckles, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q7.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 20 days.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Recall began
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Volkswagen
We’ve drafted a message you can send Volkswagen to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V026000 — Volkswagen 2020 Atlas Cross Sport Steering Recall: Fractured Knuckle Risk
Hello,
I own a Volkswagen 2020 Atlas Cross Sport Steering Recall: Fractured Knuckle Risk that is covered by recall 21V026000 from Volkswagen.
The official recall notice states: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace one or both steering knuckles, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q7.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.