2020–2021 Volkswagen Atlas & Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Steering Recall 21V026000 (Volkswagen 40Q7)

NHTSA recall 21V026000 (Volkswagen recall 40Q7) covers about 10,303 2020–2021 Volkswagen Atlas & Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vehicles (steering), filed with NHTSA Jan 27, 2021. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory.

Source: NHTSA campaign 21V026000 · Data as of Nov 6, 2026 · By CarWhere Research

10,303
vehicles affected (potential)
2020–2021
model years
Jan 27, 2021
filed with NHTSA
None
NHTSA advisory

What's recalled

Component: Steering

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The front steering knuckle may fracture in the area of the strut mounting.

The risk

A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy and its status

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.

Status: NHTSA lists Feb 16, 2021 as the owner-notification date for this campaign.

Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Volkswagen recall number 40Q7

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number for 21V026000 as 40Q7. Owner letters and dealer service departments often use this code, so a search for "40Q7 recall" refers to the same campaign.

Affected models and years

Models and model years NHTSA lists for this campaign. Not every vehicle of a listed model and year is included; check by VIN.

VehicleModel yearsMore
Volkswagen Atlas2021All Atlas recalls
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport2020–2021—

Key dates

Report filed with NHTSA
Jan 27, 2021
Owner notification
Feb 16, 2021
Recall initiated by
the manufacturer
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Check your VIN for 21V026000

  1. Find the 17-character VIN on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the door-jamb sticker, or your registration.
  2. Enter it in NHTSA's free VIN recall lookup. It shows every open recall on that exact vehicle, including this one if it applies and hasn't been repaired.
  3. If 21V026000 is open, call any Volkswagen dealer's service department and give them the recall number (21V026000 or 40Q7). The repair is free.

Not sure of the exact model or year? Decode it first with the free VIN decoder.

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 21V026000?

NHTSA recall 21V026000 (Volkswagen recall 40Q7) covers about 10,303 2020–2021 Volkswagen Atlas & Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vehicles (steering), filed with NHTSA Jan 27, 2021. There is no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. It covers certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles.

Is it safe to drive a vehicle with recall 21V026000?

NHTSA's record for 21V026000 carries no do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. The risk NHTSA lists is: "A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash." Get the free repair as soon as it is available for your vehicle.

How do I know if my vehicle is affected by 21V026000?

Only a VIN lookup can tell you. Not every vehicle of the listed models and years is included, and repaired vehicles drop off. Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Volkswagen dealer to check it.

What is the fix for recall 21V026000, and is it free?

NHTSA's record says: "Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace one or both steering knuckles, free of charge." NHTSA lists Feb 16, 2021 as the owner-notification date for this campaign. Safety-recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.

What is the Volkswagen recall number for 21V026000?

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number as 40Q7. Dealers and owner letters often use that code (40Q7) instead of the NHTSA campaign number 21V026000.

Sources and method

  • NHTSA recall record for 21V026000, from NHTSA's public recall campaign database. Problem, risk and remedy text is NHTSA's own wording.
  • "Vehicles affected" is NHTSA's potential-units-affected count for the whole campaign.
  • Data as of Nov 6, 2026. NHTSA updates campaigns as manufacturers file amendments, so check the official record for the latest.

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