VolkswagenAtlas Cross Sport2021Overview/volkswagen/atlas-cross-sport/2021/base/

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Atlas Cross Sport.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport utilizes 0W-30 viscosity engine oil with a 6.0 qt capacity. This model year is associated with 14 recalls and 157 owner complaints, with the air bags identified as the top complaint area. Within the model's 2020-2026 history, the 2021 year recorded the highest volume of complaints at 157, significantly exceeding the low of 16 complaints seen in 2023.

Model year2026202520242023202220212020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. · 70 O.E AmpHrs. CCA battery, OE oil filter 03H115441. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. · 70 O.E AmpHrs. CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/60R18 105TOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter03H115441 alt 03H198070
Engine air filter3QF129620
Spark plug03H905600A alt 06K905601K
Front wiper blades3CM998002
Serpentine belt022145933AP alt 06L903137A
ThermostatWHT000863 alt 03H121113E
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200.8 in
Overall width78 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase117.3 in
Curb weight4442 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 67.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Atlas Cross Sport of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.4–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.40 sec — 2022 SEL R-Line 4MOTION
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020SE V6 R-Line 3.6L V67.50 sec15.70 sec276 hpFWD
2020SEL V6 R-Line 4MOTION 3.6L V67.90 sec16.00 sec276 hpAWD
2020S 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-48.10 sec16.30 sec235 hpAWD
2020SEL V6 R-Line 4MOTION 3.6L V68.40 sec16.30 sec276 hpAWD
2022SEL R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.70 sec235 hpAWD
2024SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-47.70 sec15.90 sec269 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 0W-30 engine oil, Audi/VW P/N G 052 145 A1, A2 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new drain plug: 22.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAudi/VW P/N G 055 540 A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.39 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilAudi/VW P/N G 052 145 A1, A2
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.05 qt
Engine CoolantVolkswagen Coolant G13 TL-VW-774J
Engine Coolant Capacity21.1 qt

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new drain plug: 22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs71.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugUse a new drain plug and gasket: 22.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Torque22.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.38-1.48 lbs
Oil Capacity3.4-4.0 oz
Standard BCI Cranking Performance70 O.E AmpHrs. cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumUse diagnostic tester: 58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumUse diagnostic tester: 102.0 psi
Residual Pressure43.5 minimum after 10 minutes. psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect Ball Joint by pulling down on lower control arm then forcing it upward. The joint should also be inspected by moving the lower portion of the tire and wheel in an in and out motion. During inspections allow for normal upper strut mount and wheel bearing wear but no ball joint play should be observed. Step 3: The ball joint should also be replaced if the boot is torn, stud is worn or joint shows any play.
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolt with Collar37 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90° using a ratchet. Step 4: 90° using a ratchet.11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 80,000 mi; coolant every 20,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 20,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 80,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport represents the peak of federal reporting issues within the provided record, logging 157 complaints and 14 recalls, which exceeds both the preceding 2020 model and the subsequent 2022 year. Technical Service Bulletins also reached their highest volume at 554 for this specific year, indicating a concentration of reported concerns compared to the lower figures seen in 2022 and

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
554
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
157
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 157 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags25
Service Brakes13
Exterior Lighting12
Engine8
Electrical System8
Electrical System,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance8
Unknown Or Other6
Unknown Or Other,Engine5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V132000Wheels:RimReported 03/03/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The lug bolt holes on the wheels may have been machined incorrectly, preventing the wheel bolt from… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four wheels, and as necessary, replace the wheels, lug bolts ,and wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began…

21V812000Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/StudsReported 15/10/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles. The front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened. Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tightness of the wheel bearing bolts and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2021. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 554 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
Customer email_91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherYour vehicle is currently eligible for the 91UB software update designed to:
Dealer 91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherThis OTA update addresses a potential issue with special characters being broadcast over…
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Atlas Cross Sport. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Atlas Cross Sport take?

6.0 qt of 0W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Atlas Cross Sport have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.