NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Safety Ratings
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport scores 81 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 7 recalls, and 70 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 81/100, placing it in the Strong band. This assessment, primarily driven by its solid NHTSA crash-test performance and standard forward collision warning, is tempered by a defect record that includes seven recall campaigns, slightly diminishing its overall safety standing.
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received a NHTSA Safety Index of 81/100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 135 SUVs from 2022 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport ranks 91 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 81 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 15.1% |
| Recalls on file | 7 |
| Owner complaints | 70 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 91 of 135 SUVs tested for 2022 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
A 16-point rise in the NHTSA Safety Index marks the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport, which moved from a 2021 score of 65/100 (Below Average) to 81/100, placing it in the Strong band. This improvement is primarily due to a crash protection sub-score of 61 out of 70, anchored by its 5-star overall NHTSA rating. The vehicle's avoidance technology sub-score of 8.5 out of 10 reflects standard forward collision warning and electronic stability control. However, lane departure warning remains an optional feature, a notable omission. The defect record sub-score, at 11.5 out of 20, limits a higher overall Index score. This sub-score directly reflects seven recall campaigns. Three of these recalls are specific to the 2022 model year and nearby iterations: campaigns addressing suspension critical fasteners, engine internal hard parts, and trailer hitch bolts. The 2022 Atlas Cross Sport thus presents a safety profile defined by strong crash protection balanced against an active recall history.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport perform in crash tests?
The 2022 Atlas Cross Sport achieved an overall 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA, with its side-impact performance standing out as particularly strong, also earning a perfect 5-star rating. Frontal crash protection received 4 out of 5 stars. The vehicle's rollover risk was assessed at 15 percent, with the dynamic tip test confirming a "No Tip" result, contributing to its 4 out of 5-star rollover rating.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 16516
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have any recalls?
Seven recall campaigns cover this model year. Named components include the front-passenger occupant classification sensor in the air bag system, suspension critical fasteners, internal engine hard parts, trailer hitch bolts that may not have been properly torqued, and a backup camera sensing system. No park-outside or do-not-drive advisory is indicated in the data provided, but owners should verify remedy status by VIN at NHTSA.
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
SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS22V807000
Risk: Unsecured bolts may cause the trailing arm to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver side rear trailing arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 25, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42M2.
Reported 2022-10-26
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL22V753000
Risk: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).
Reported 2022-10-07
TRAILER HITCHES22V657000
Risk: Loose bolts may fall out, causing the remaining bolts to break, which could lead to separation of the trailer hitch and trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N8.
Reported 2022-08-31
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
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
Owners have filed 70 unverified complaints with NHTSA. Alleged problem areas include Service Brakes (23 reports), Electrical System (19), Engine (18), Unknown or Other (12), Forward Collision Avoidance (11), and Air Bags (10). One reported crash and one reported fire appear in the dataset. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
70 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
Seven recall campaigns have been issued for the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport. Consumers researching this model year should verify recall completion for any specific vehicle through NHTSA's VIN lookup tool.
- The 2022 model year saw the Safety Index jump 16 points over 2021, from 65/100 Below Average to 81/100 Strong, the largest single-year improvement in the Atlas Cross Sport's indexed history in our dataset.
- Two of the seven recall campaigns, covering suspension critical fasteners and engine internal hard parts, are specific to 2022 and 2022-2023 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles, not broader multi-decade carryovers.
- The trailer hitch bolt recall is exclusive to 2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models, meaning used buyers should verify this specific campaign was remedied on any unit they evaluate.
- Service Brakes account for the single largest complaint category with 23 alleged reports to NHTSA, followed closely by Electrical System and Engine concerns, all of which are unverified consumer allegations.
RANKINGSWhere the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport places
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport safety questions
Was the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 15.1%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 7 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 70 owner complaints are on file for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Atlas Cross Sport years
Rivals in SUV (2022)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Tesla Model Y 5-Seat | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2022 Infiniti Qx55 | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2022 Buick Encore GX | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2022 Buick Envision | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2022 Nissan Murano | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2022 Buick Enclave | 94/100 | 4 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 16516), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2022.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 91 of 135 in the SUV class for 2022.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.