Things to consider when insuring one
5-star overall crash rating
NHTSA’s top crash rating. Crash protection affects injury claims, which make up a large share of what auto insurance pays out.
Driver-assist sensors come standard
They can help avoid crashes, but a windshield or bumper repair often needs the cameras and radar recalibrated, which costs more. Check what your comprehensive and collision deductibles would mean for a glass claim.
5 recalls for this model year
More than most. When you buy one, make sure every campaign has been completed.
Most owner complaints are about the electrical system
37 of 142 complaints to NHTSA mention it. Worth a look in a pre-purchase inspection.
5 recalls
- NHTSA 25V434000 · Jun 30, 2025
service brakes
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. Certain bolts on the chassis, brake system and/or suspension (such as bolts for certain cross member, engine mount, control arm, subframe, rear brake carrier, etc.) of affected vehicles may not have been correctly tightened during the manufacturing process.
- The risk
- A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- NHTSA 24V464000 · Jun 20, 2024
air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
- The risk
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- NHTSA 22V753000 · Oct 7, 2022
engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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).
- NHTSA 22V718000 · Sep 26, 2022
service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 model year Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Certain brake lines may leak at the threaded connections.
- The risk
- A brake fluid leak may increase the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- NHTSA 22V152000 · Mar 28, 2022
air bags: side/window
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.
- The risk
- A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
Crash test ratings
2023 Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 16%
2023 Volkswagen Atlas SUV FWD
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 14%
2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUV AWD
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 15%
What owners report
142 complaints to NHTSA, 4 involving a crash, 6 injuries.
- Electrical system37
- Engine37
- Unknown or other25
- Air bags22
- Fuel/propulsion system18
- Exterior lighting15
- Service brakes15
- Forward collision avoidance9
Insuring a 2023 Volkswagen Atlas?
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Other 2023 Volkswagen models
Recalls, crash ratings and owner complaints are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), last checked Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are owners’ reports and aren’t verified by NHTSA. This page is general information, not advice about a specific vehicle or policy.