NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Volkswagen Atlas Safety Ratings
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas scores 65 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Below Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 17 recalls, and 441 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas presents a mixed safety profile, reflected in its NHTSA Safety Index score of 65 out of 100, which places it in the Below Average band. While its crash-test results are strong, this is significantly undermined by a near-zero score in avoidance technology and a defect record that earned zero of a possible 20 points.
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas earned an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars and a NHTSA Safety Index of 65 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas ranks 114 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 65 / 100 (Below Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 15.9% |
| Recalls on file | 17 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 441 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 114 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
A dramatic collapse in its computed Safety Index defines the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. Its score of 65 out of 100 is a Below Average result, a 26-point drop from the 2020 model year's Exceptional 91. This decline does not stem from crash-test performance. The 2021 Atlas earned a strong overall 5-star NHTSA rating, including a perfect side-impact score. The Index drop concentrates in two specific sub-scores. Avoidance technology achieved only 3.5 out of 10 points, reflecting the absence of standard forward collision warning and the optional status of lane departure warning. More significant is the defect record sub-score: 0 out of 20. This zero score is a direct consequence of 17 recall campaigns issued for this model year. Among these is a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign. The fuel injector recall and the dual airbag occupant-classification campaigns are particularly notable for their safety implications. Buyers considering the 2021 Atlas should weigh its 5-star crash protection against a zero defect score and minimal avoidance technology. The evidence indicates strong passive crash protection, but the surrounding safety infrastructure presents a different picture.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Atlas earned a strong safety performance from federal crash testing, including a top 5 out of 5 star overall rating from NHTSA. Its side-impact protection achieved a perfect 5-star rating. Frontal crash performance and rollover resistance both registered 4 out of 5 stars. Notably, the rollover risk was assessed at 16 percent, with dynamic tip testing concluding with a "No Tip" result, a positive indication within its 4-star rollover score.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15581
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas have any recalls?
Yes. The 2021 Atlas carries 17 recall campaigns, including one park-outside or do-not-drive campaign. Key components addressed include the front passenger occupant classification sensor for the air bag system (two separate campaigns), tire pressure monitoring, backup camera sensing, and gasoline fuel injectors. The air bag sensor issue was addressed in separate campaigns covering different model-year ranges.
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
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
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
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
NHTSA has received 441 unverified owner allegations for the 2021 Atlas. The most-reported components are the Electrical System with 141 alleged incidents, Service Brakes with 95, and Engine with 78. Unverified allegations also flag Forward Collision Avoidance and Air Bags. These are consumer-reported claims, not established findings.
441 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
The 2021 Atlas stands out for its high recall count: a total of 17 campaigns have been issued. Of particular concern is a park-outside or do-not-drive recall. For any prospective owner, verifying that all recall remedies have been completed by a dealership is a necessary due-diligence step.
- The 2021 Atlas Safety Index fell 26 points from the 2020 model year, dropping from 91 (Exceptional) to 65 (Below Average), driven by a zero defect-record sub-score tied to 17 recall campaigns.
- One of the 17 recalls is classified as a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, the most serious category of recall action, requiring immediate attention before operating the vehicle.
- Two separate recall campaigns target the front passenger air bag occupant classification sensor on the 2021 Atlas, one covering 2018-2021 model years and a later one covering 2021-2024 model years, meaning this specific system has been flagged more than once.
- Forward collision warning is listed as not standard on the 2021 Atlas, contributing to a very low avoidance-technology sub-score of 3.5 out of 10, which is a year-specific factor that directly suppressed the overall Safety Index for this model year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas places
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Volkswagen Atlas safety questions
Was the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 65 out of 100, placing it in the Below Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas 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 15.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 17 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 441 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas. 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 years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15581), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Volkswagen Atlas 2021.
- 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 114 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- 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.