NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a two-row midsize SUV aimed at buyers who want the commanding presence and cargo space of a larger vehicle without the full three-row footprint. Positioned as a style-forward alternative to more utilitarian family haulers, it targets couples and small families who prioritize interior refinement and road presence. It competes in one of the most hotly contested segments in the American market.
Despite a strong crash-test showing, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carries a park-outside or stop-driving recall, so read the recall section first. It has 14 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
Reviewers generally praise the Atlas Cross Sport for its upscale interior, composed ride quality, and spacious two-row cabin. Most consider it a comfortable and well-appointed choice in the midsize SUV segment. Handling and driving dynamics tend to receive more measured assessments, and some reviewers note that it prioritizes comfort and style over outright performance or cargo versatility.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15582
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER24V464000
Risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on October 18, 2024, December 10, 2024, December 20, 2024, and January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.
Reported 2024-06-20
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS22V815000
Risk: An undetected sudden loss of pressure in all four tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audis customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are (Audi) 45J7, and (VW) 45J6 and 45J8.
Reported 2022-10-31
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA22V514000
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
Reported 2022-07-20
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS22V245000
Risk: Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the long fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24iD.
Reported 2022-04-13
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW22V152000
Risk: A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97GF.
Reported 2022-03-28
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS22V086000
Risk: Without the reduced GVWR label, the vehicle could be overloaded, leading to a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install the reduced GVWR label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 09D9.
Reported 2022-02-16
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM21V892000
Risk: A water leak may damage the air bag control module, causing an inadvertent air bag deployment and increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the drain tube and replace the air bag control module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 87H4.
Reported 2021-11-17
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS21V812000
Risk: The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40R7.
Reported 2021-10-15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:RELAYS/SOLENOIDS21V616000
Risk: A horn or starter that remains activated for an extended period of time can overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and as necessary, replace the relays, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97FR.
Reported 2021-08-06
WHEELS:RIM21V132000
Risk: An insufficiently attached wheel may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 March 4, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44Q9.
Reported 2021-03-03
STEERING21V026000
Risk: A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2021-01-27
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V716000
Risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91BB/91BC.
Reported 2020-11-18
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
156 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.