Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs Toyota Camry
How the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs Toyota Camry: The Atlas Cross Sport has 466 complaints over 7 years (about 67 per year) and 53 recalls, while the Camry has 2143 complaints over 10 years (about 214 per year) and 31 recalls. The Camry also has 181 crash-related complaints and 1 death, versus 17 and 0 for the Atlas Cross Sport. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a mid-size SUV that, based on NHTSA data, shows a moderate complaint rate of about 67 per year over seven years. Owners frequently report electrical glitches such as windows rolling down on their own and navigation systems showing wrong locations, plus brake and engine issues. With 53 recalls and 17 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that may require more frequent dealer visits for software and hardware fixes.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mid-size sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 214 per year over ten years—but that's partly because far more Camrys are on the road. The data shows recurring power train, engine, and brake complaints, including transmission grinding and sudden acceleration. With 181 crash-related complaints and one death, it's a reminder that even popular sedans can have serious safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 466 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 53 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 17 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 66.6 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM149
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER94
- 03SERVICE BRAKES89
- 04ENGINE86
- 05AIR BAGS79
Owners report windows rolling down by themselves, navigation showing the car miles off course, and multiple system malfunctions. These glitches can be annoying and may require repeated dealer visits for software updates.
Complaints include automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning failing to work, and a chemical smell from the engine causing headaches and nausea. Brake problems are safety-critical and should be checked immediately.
Reports include fuel pump failure causing sudden loss of acceleration, and engine trembling with ticking noises. A failing fuel pump can leave you stranded or cause a crash.
Issues like the tailgate opening on its own and navigation errors fall here. These unpredictable problems can be frustrating and hard to diagnose.
“On 3/27/026 at approximately 1800 hrs, I was driving my 2025 VW Atlas w/8500 miles southbound on the Florida Turnpike in the left hand land. Traffic was at a standstill at mm 76. We sat for 2-3 minutes without moving. When traffic started to roll forward, I m…”
“The vehicle is experiencing multiple system malfunctions involving engine performance and electrical components. Symptoms include engine trembling at idle, abnormal ticking and hissing noises, and the vehicle pulling while driving. An independent diagnostic s…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission and sudden acceleration, sometimes leading to crashes. Transmission replacement is expensive and parts may be on backorder.
Complaints include sudden uncontrollable acceleration and coolant valve bypass issues that trigger warning codes. These can cause loss of control or engine damage.
Reports of brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on hills. This is a serious safety hazard that needs immediate attention.
Common issues include AC condenser damage from road debris and a persistent mildew or vinegar smell from the vents. These are comfort and costly repair concerns.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport — 53 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The transmission may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38CX.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces.
The risk: A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will remove the engine cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10X5.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor…
The risk: A distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91SB.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.) of…
The risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42HX.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has far fewer complaints per year (about 67) than the Toyota Camry (about 214), but the Camry's higher volume reflects its much larger sales. In practice, the Atlas Cross Sport may have fewer reported problems per vehicle, but both have serious safety-related complaints like brake failures and sudden acceleration.
Key differences
- The Atlas Cross Sport has 466 complaints over 7 years, while the Camry has 2143 over 10 years—but the Camry sells in much higher numbers, so per-vehicle rates may be closer.
- Atlas Cross Sport complaints often involve electrical glitches like windows rolling down and navigation errors; Camry complaints more often involve power train grinding and sudden acceleration.
- The Camry has 181 crash-related complaints and 1 death, versus 17 crash-related and 0 deaths for the Atlas Cross Sport, though these numbers aren't adjusted for sales volume.
- Both have brake-related complaints: Atlas Cross Sport owners report automatic emergency braking failures, while Camry owners report total brake pedal failure.
- Check for electrical issues: test all windows, navigation system, and infotainment for glitches or unexpected behavior.
- Listen for engine noises like ticking or hissing, and test the fuel pump by accelerating hard to ensure no loss of power.
- Test the transmission for grinding noises during acceleration and check for any delayed or harsh shifting.
- Inspect brake pedal feel and responsiveness, especially on inclines, and look for any signs of sudden acceleration during test drive.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on brakes, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Test drive on various roads, including hills, to check for brake response and transmission behavior.
- Verify that all software updates and recall repairs have been completed by a dealer.
- For the Camry, specifically ask about transmission service history and any coolant valve repairs.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 19 | 153 |
| 2024 | 92 | 48 |
| 2023 | 18 | 62 |
| 2022 | 70 | 59 |
| 2021 | 163 | 155 |
| 2020 | 104 | 270 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport total complaints
- 466
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport total recalls
- 53
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport avg complaints/year
- 66.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
- Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN