Volkswagen · Passat · 2021
2021 Volkswagen Passat
1
Recall
17
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat has 1 recall and 17 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: service brakes (5 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is service brakes with 5 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Volkswagen Passat currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 17 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are service brakes (5), lane departure: assist (3), air bags (3).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Volkswagen Passat
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 17
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.7% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 21V812000October 15, 2021
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles. The front wheel bearing bolts may have been incorrectly tightened.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
17 totalAIR BAGS
Nov 24, 2025
I was parking my car and then I heard a loud crack. Then I noticed my car's airbag malfunction warning notice came up on the dashboard along with other failures. I can see on the edges of the horn panel on the left that its slightly detached, so it seem the airbag has somewhat in...
Preview excerpt
SERVICE BRAKES
Oct 7, 2025
Driving home from work around 1:00 am at night with street lights and no other cars in the vicinity the auto brake engaged, causing an abrupt stop. Once the auto brake ceased I was able to complete my trip. There was a light coating of water in a spot on the road but nothing else...
Preview excerpt
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT
Aug 4, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while stopped at a red traffic light, the engine stalled. The low oil pressure and the battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local indepen...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
Mar 13, 2025
Known issue in previous VW models. Broken clock spring in steering wheel from normal <100k miles no connection for all steering wheel electronics (airbags, radio controls, etc)
STRUCTURE:BODY
Nov 1, 2024
There is a headlight chrome accent piece right above the left headlight that one day just blew off the vehicle when driving down the highway. Oddly enough, I live in a small town of Mason City, IA and I saw another VW Passat (same year) missing the same exact piece so I know this...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
CRASHMay 25, 2024
The forward collision was not working on my car when someone pulled down in front of me and I hit the wall so I wouldn’t hit them.
TIRES:SIDEWALL
Feb 3, 2024
I own a 2021 Volkswagen Passat R-Line that has GITI 235/40R19 Comfort tires, I have had bubbles on two of the tires that blew out going down the interstate. I now have a third tire with the same issue.
SERVICE BRAKES
Sep 2, 2023
Rear brakes needed to be replaced at less than 20k miles The dealer comped it since we lease 2 different 2021 VW Passats and they both needed their rear wheels replaced at sub 20k miles
SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 31, 2023
Rear brakes needed to be replaced at 17,000 miles. Same thing happened to my wife’s 2021 Passat.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 17 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Volkswagen models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Volkswagen Passat Years
2022 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.9c2020 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.3r15c2019 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r12c2018 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.4r44c2017 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.7r107c2016 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.5r105c
More 2021 Volkswagen Models
2021 Volkswagen AtlasAnother 2021 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.17r410c2021 Volkswagen ID.4Another 2021 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.11r311c2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportAnother 2021 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.14r147c2021 Volkswagen TiguanAnother 2021 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.5r115c2021 Volkswagen JettaAnother 2021 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.4r62c2021 Volkswagen GolfAnother 2021 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.1r5c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Passat have?
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has received 17 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat are service brakes (5 reports), lane departure: assist (3 reports), air bags (3 reports).
Does the 2021 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.