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Electrical systemPart report

2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Electrical system Problems

Complaints
33about this part
Share
31%of 108 total for the year
Median mileage
12,922miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, 31% of the 108 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,922 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When driving vehicle upon coming to a completed stop, various fault messages are displayed 'electronic brake error/driver contact switch error, start/stop error'. The car detects that the door is open even though it is completely closed which causes parking break to activate immobilizing the vehicle ; the start/stop system then activates turning off the engine. …”

NHTSA complaint #11383956, filed 2020-12, 7,655 miles

“Upon vehicle start, vehicle provided several warnings: 'driver door contact switch, electronic parking brake fault, airbag error', and several others. The driver and driver-rear passenger windows rolled down about two inches, security light was blinking, drivers door would not lock. While driving on city street, the parking brake would engage at low speed (1-2 MPH), and when stopped, while in gear (drive).”

NHTSA complaint #11403076, filed 2021-03, 6,000 miles

“While driving at approximately 10-15mph the engine shut off and was forced to come to a stop and restart the engine. The error read Engine start/stop error, manually restart engine. I have been reading that this is a known issue by Volkswagon but they are not addressing. Luckily my car was just going onto an offramp when the engine shut off.”

NHTSA complaint #11534606, filed 2023-07

“When driving the car the GPS looses its location making it impossible to proceed to a planned destination. It causes you to try to fix the issue while driving and locating a place to pull off the road. It has taken me to places were I did not want to go. The dealer can’t fix the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11579757, filed 2024-03

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11639317, filed 2025-01

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251248%
20243535%
2023315%
20222127%
20215433%
20203331%

Other parts of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Other or unknown
25 complaints
Air bags
23 complaints
Brakes
18 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
15 complaints
Engine
9 complaints
Steering
8 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology