NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Safety Ratings
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport scores 86 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 5 recalls, and 16 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received a NHTSA Safety Index of 87/100, placing it in the Strong band. This assessment is based on solid NHTSA crash-test performance and full marks for its avoidance technology. Buyers should note four active recall campaigns that require resolution prior to operation.
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received an overall 5-star crash-test rating from NHTSA and a NHTSA Safety Index of 87 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 153 SUVs from 2025 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport ranks 99 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 86 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 15.1% |
| Recalls on file | 5 |
| Owner complaints | 16 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 99 of 153 SUVs tested for 2025 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
The 2025 Atlas Cross Sport represents a meaningful step forward in this nameplate's safety profile. The NHTSA Safety Index climbed from 82 out of 100 in the 2024 model year to 87 out of 100 for 2025, a 5-point gain within the Strong band. That improvement is anchored by a perfect 10 out of 10 avoidance-technology score, reflecting standard equipment across forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control. Crash protection contributed 61 out of a possible 70 points, consistent with the NHTSA overall 5-star result. The defect record component scored 16 out of 20, which accounts for the four active recall campaigns touching brakes, the backup camera, the engine cover, and the automatic transmission. That quartet of recalls is the defining safety story for this specific model year: two campaigns were issued in February and two followed later in the year, suggesting an active correction cycle. The 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA skew heavily toward electrical and powertrain concerns, though all remain unverified allegations at this stage.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport perform in crash tests?
The 2025 Atlas Cross Sport achieved an overall 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. Side-impact protection is a particular strength, earning a full 5-star rating. Frontal crash protection and the rollover resistance assessment each received 4 out of 5 stars. The measured rollover risk for the Atlas Cross Sport stands at 15 percent, with the dynamic tip test resulting in "No Tip."
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20370
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have any recalls?
Four recall campaigns cover this model year. Components involved are service brakes, the backup camera sensing system, the engine cover, and the automatic transmission. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the data provided, but buyers should verify current remedy status for all four campaigns by VIN through NHTSA before driving.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE26V473000
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 28, 2026.
Reported 2026-07-22
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
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V334000
Risk: A distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91SB.
Reported 2025-05-21
ENGINE25V100000
Risk: A loose engine cover that contacts hot surfaces in the engine compartment can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the engine cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10X5.
Reported 2025-02-17
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION25V081000
Risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38CX.
Reported 2025-02-12
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
Sixteen owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for this model year, all unverified allegations. The top components cited are the Electrical System with 8 reports, Unknown Or Other with 7, Power Train with 5, and Engine with 5. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths are alleged in the filed reports.
16 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
Before acquiring a 2025 Atlas Cross Sport, prospective owners should verify that all four of its recall campaigns have been addressed. This is particularly crucial for the brake and transmission related recalls, as any incomplete repairs remain with the vehicle for subsequent owners. The VIN lookup tool on NHTSA's website will confirm recall remedy status.
- The Safety Index rose 5 points year over year from 82 in 2024 to 87 in 2025, the largest single-year gain in recent Atlas Cross Sport history within our data set.
- Four distinct recall campaigns were issued for this model year covering service brakes, the backup camera sensing system, the engine cover, and the automatic transmission, making VIN-specific recall verification essential.
- The avoidance-technology score is a perfect 10 out of 10 for 2025, reflecting forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control all listed as standard equipment on this trim configuration.
- Sixteen unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA concentrate in the Electrical System and Power Train categories, with 5 complaints also logged under Engine, patterns worth monitoring as the complaint record matures for this model year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport places
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport safety questions
Was the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 86 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 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2025 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 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2025 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 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 16 owner complaints are on file for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Atlas Cross Sport years
Rivals in SUV (2025)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Lexus GX 550 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Lexus Rz 300e | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Tesla Model X | 96/100 | not rated | 3 |
| 2025 Acura ADX | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2025 Buick Envision | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 20370), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2025.
- 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 99 of 153 in the SUV class for 2025.
- 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.