NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Safety Ratings
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport scores 83 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 6 recalls, and 16 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport achieved a 5-star overall crash rating from NHTSA, contributing to a NHTSA Safety Index of 83/100, which positions it within the Strong safety band. This high score is notable despite the presence of six recall campaigns for the model year. The strong crash-test performance underpins a genuinely solid safety profile.
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 83/100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 stars, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 139 SUVs from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport ranks 92 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 83 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 15.1% |
| Recalls on file | 6 |
| Owner complaints | 16 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 92 of 139 SUVs tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
The 2023 Atlas Cross Sport represents a two-point gain in the NHTSA Safety Index over the 2022 model year, moving from 81 to 83 out of 100, both within the Strong band. The improvement is modest but directionally positive. Crash protection accounts for the largest share of the index at 61 out of 70 points, anchored by that 5-star overall NHTSA rating and the particularly strong 5-star side-impact score. Avoidance technology contributes 8.5 out of 10, reflecting standard forward-collision warning and electronic stability control, though lane departure warning remains optional rather than standard on this year, a distinction that holds the tech sub-score below its ceiling. The defect record sub-score of 13.5 out of 20 is where the 2023 year shows its clearest friction: six recall campaigns span brake systems, suspension fasteners, engine internals, and air bag sensor hardware. The air bag occupant-classification recall is particularly worth tracking because it touches the front-passenger protection chain directly. Sixteen consumer complaints, while relatively modest in volume, include alleged concerns in the same air bag and brake categories covered by formal recalls, which reinforces the importance of confirming remedy completion on any specific vehicle.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport perform in crash tests?
Side-impact protection for the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport AWD is exemplary, earning a perfect 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. The vehicle's overall rating is 5 stars. Frontal crash protection and rollover prevention each received 4 stars. The measured rollover risk is 15 percent, and the dynamic tip test indicated "No Tip."
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 18298
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have any recalls?
Six recall campaigns cover this model year. Components addressed include service brakes, a front-passenger occupant-classification air bag sensor, critical suspension fasteners, internal engine hard parts, and hydraulic brake lines and fittings. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the available campaign summaries, but shoppers should verify remedy status by VIN through NHTSA.
SERVICE BRAKES25V434000
Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2025-06-30
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS22V718000
Risk: A brake fluid leak may increase the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the affected brake lines, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 23, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47T2.
Reported 2022-09-26
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 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
Sixteen owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for this model year, including one alleged crash. The most frequently cited components in these unverified allegations are Air Bags and Engine, each with five reports, followed by Service Brakes and Electrical System with three reports each.
16 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
Six recall campaigns have been issued for the 2023 Atlas Cross Sport, a notable figure for a single model year. Owners and prospective buyers should prioritize verifying that all necessary recall remedies, particularly those addressing the air bag sensor and brake system, have been completed. This information is readily available via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- The 2023 model year carries six NHTSA recall campaigns, covering service brakes, suspension critical fasteners, engine hard parts, hydraulic brake line fittings, and a front-passenger air bag occupant-classification sensor, more campaigns than the prior year warrants close VIN-level verification.
- NHTSA awarded this specific model year configuration a 5-star side-impact rating and a 5-star overall rating, with frontal and rollover each at 4 stars and a 15 percent rollover risk measurement.
- The Safety Index rose two points year-over-year from the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport (81) to this 2023 model (83), driven primarily by the strong crash-protection sub-score of 61 out of 70.
- Lane departure warning is listed as optional rather than standard on this model year, which distinguishes it from configurations where the full suite of crash-avoidance technology is included at every trim level and is reflected in the avoidance-tech sub-score of 8.5 out of 10.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport places
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport safety questions
Was the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 83 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 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 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 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 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 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 16 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Atlas Cross Sport years
Rivals in SUV (2023)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Tesla Model X Later Release | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Early Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Buick Envision | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2023 Lexus Rz 450e | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 18298), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2023.
- 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 92 of 139 in the SUV class for 2023.
- 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.