Do Not Drive NHTSA · 20V712000 Reported November 17, 2020

Loss of steering due to knuckle failure

Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. · N/A · 776 vehicles potentially affected

⚠ Do Not Drive Warning: NHTSA advises that affected vehicles should not be operated until repaired. Contact your dealer immediately.
NHTSA ID
20V712000
Manufacturer Campaign
40Q6
Component
N/A
Vehicles Affected
776
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
November 17, 2020
Completion Rate
99.87

Defect Summary

Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 atlas and 2020-2021 atlas cross sport vehicles. one or both steering knuckles may have been damaged during production.

Safety Consequence

A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action

Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the steering knuckle, free of charge. the recall began november 19, 2020. owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. volkswagen's number for this recall is 40q6. note: owners are advised to do not drive the vehicle until the vehicle has been inspected and repaired if necessary.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. dealer and reference recall ID 20V712000 or campaign 40Q6.
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
  4. Do not drive your vehicle until the repair is completed. Ask about loaner cars or free towing.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
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FAQ: Recall 20V712000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 20V712000?

NHTSA recall 20V712000 was issued by Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. on November 17, 2020. It addresses: Loss of steering due to knuckle failure. The recall affects approximately 776 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 20V712000 or the manufacturer campaign number 40Q6. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

What does "Do Not Drive" mean for this recall?

NHTSA has flagged this recall as Do Not Drive, meaning the defect poses an immediate safety risk and affected vehicles should not be operated until they are repaired. Owners should contact their dealer immediately and may be eligible for free towing or a loaner vehicle while awaiting parts.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.