NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2019 Volkswagen Atlas Safety Ratings
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas scores 77 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 12 recalls, and 460 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas presents a mixed safety profile, reflected in its NHTSA Safety Index of 78/100, which places it in the Average band. While strong NHTSA crash-test results form a solid foundation, the vehicle's safety standing is notably compromised by 11 separate recall campaigns and a weak sub-score in its defect record. This combination warrants careful scrutiny for prospective owners.
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 78 out of 100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 93 SUVs from 2019 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas ranks 74 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 77 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 15.9% |
| Recalls on file | 12 |
| Owner complaints | 460 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 74 of 93 SUVs tested for 2019 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas shows a strong divergence between its crash-test performance and its defect record. While NHTSA awarded the vehicle a 5-star overall safety rating, with perfect scores in frontal and side impact tests contributing to a crash-protection sub-score of 66 out of 70, its defect record is notably weaker. The Safety Index for this model year stands at 78 out of 100, largely influenced by this robust crash protection. Standard forward collision warning and electronic stability control are reflected in an avoidance-tech sub-score of 8.5 out of 10, though lane departure warning was an optional feature. However, the 2019 Atlas received a defect-record sub-score of only 3 out of 20, the lowest segment of its overall Safety Index. This is directly attributable to 11 recall campaigns for this model year. Among these, two specifically address side and curtain airbags; one recall, issued in 2023, identifies a potentially missing driver-side impact airbag component. The 460 unverified owner complaints, which frequently cite airbag and brake issues, further underscore the concerns raised by the recall data.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas perform in crash tests?
The 2019 Atlas received an overall 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA, with the agency assigning perfect 5-star scores for both frontal and side crash protection. Its rollover rating of 4 out of 5 stars was the sole exception to an otherwise perfect crash-test performance. This 4-star rollover rating reflected a 16 percent risk of rollover, though the Atlas did pass the dynamic tip-test with a "No Tip" result.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 13675
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas have any recalls?
Yes. The 2019 Atlas carries 11 recall campaigns. Notably, two separate side and curtain air bag campaigns were issued, one flagging a potentially missing driver-side impact air bag component. A passenger occupant-classification sensor recall and a tire-pressure monitoring system recall also affect this model year. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is documented in the data provided, but owners should verify remedy status by VIN.
STEERING26V590000
Risk: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
Reported 2026-09-11
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN23V671000
Risk: The driver's side impact air bag could deploy improperly or detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side impact air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FK.
Reported 2023-10-04
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER23V215000
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 March 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69FB.
Reported 2023-03-29
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
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
TIRES:SIDEWALL21V142000
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44R1.
Reported 2021-03-05
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY19V614000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BU.
Reported 2019-08-21
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS19V389000
Risk: Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
Reported 2019-05-22
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW19V218000
Risk: In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y8.
Reported 2019-03-20
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS18V904000
Risk: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J2/42J3.
Reported 2018-12-19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL18V824000
Risk: If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
Reported 2018-11-26
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
Owners have filed 460 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported alleged problem areas are Air Bags with 138 reports, followed by Service Brakes at 76, Forward Collision Avoidance at 72, Electrical System at 71, and Engine at 59. These are unverified consumer allegations, not confirmed defects.
460 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
The 2019 Atlas carries a notable recall history, with 11 campaigns on record. For any prospective owner, verifying the completion of all recall remedies is a critical step; this includes air bag related campaigns that continued to be issued as late as 2023.
- Two separate NHTSA recall campaigns target side and curtain air bags on the 2019 Atlas, including a 2023 campaign citing a potentially missing driver-side impact air bag component, making air bag remedy verification a priority for this specific model year.
- The 2019 Atlas scored a defect-record sub-score of only 3 out of 20 in the NHTSA Safety Index, the weakest of its three sub-scores and a direct reflection of the 11 recall campaigns attached to this model year.
- NHTSA's crash tests gave the 2019 Atlas a 5-star overall rating with perfect frontal and side scores, but rollover rated 4 out of 5 stars with a 16 percent rollover risk figure specific to this FWD SUV configuration.
- Of the 460 unverified NHTSA complaints filed against the 2019 Atlas, 138 allege air bag issues and 72 allege forward collision avoidance problems, categories that directly overlap with active recall campaigns on this model year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas places
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2019 Volkswagen Atlas safety questions
Was the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 77 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 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 15.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 12 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 460 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. 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 years
Rivals in SUV (2019)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Tesla Model X 60d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 75d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P100d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Nissan Murano | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 13675), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Volkswagen Atlas 2019.
- 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 74 of 93 in the SUV class for 2019.
- 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.