YearToAvoid

2021 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2021 Volkswagen Passat ranks 15th worst out of 18 model years, with a complaint index of 18 and a Best verdict. It has 18 complaints, 1 recall, 1 crash, and 1 fire on record, with Brakes as the top problem area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
18/100
#15 of 18 Passat years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
18
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
28
24 city / 36 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2021 Volkswagen Passat problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes5 (28%)
  2. Electrical System5 (28%)
  3. Lane Departure5 (28%)
  4. Airbags3 (17%)
  5. Engine2 (11%)
  6. Other2 (11%)
  7. Steering2 (11%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (6%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (6%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Rear brake pads and pads wore out unusually fast, with owners reporting brake dust and pad replacement needed around 5,000 to 17,000 miles.
  • Lane Departure/Active Lane Assist steered the car toward roadside hazards like bikers or joggers instead of away from them, sometimes right after starting the vehicle.
  • Lane Departure Assist malfunctioned in rainy conditions, causing the steering wheel to move on its own while high-beam headlights aimed too high to see the road.
  • An electrical system fire started after the vehicle came to a stop following several miles of driving, resulting in the car being declared a total loss.
  • Forward collision warning failed to activate before a crash, allowing the vehicle to hit an obstacle it was trying to avoid.
  • Front tires developed bubbles and blew out while driving on the interstate, affecting more than one tire on the same vehicle.
2021 Volkswagen Passat complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2021Nov 2021Nov 2022Sep 2023Feb 2024Nov 2024Aug 2025Nov 2025
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Jun 2026; peak Sep 2023 (2).

2021 Volkswagen Passat recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V812000Oct 15, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires30 vehicles

    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.

    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.

2021 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
36 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Passat years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Best012129
2020Best2418327
2021Best1818128
2022Best613028

All Volkswagen Passat years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2021 Passat earns a Best verdict among Passat model years, with a complaint index of 18 versus a high of 100 for 2013.
What problems does the 2021 Passat have?
NHTSA complaints point to Brakes, Electrical System, and Lane Departure issues, each accounting for 28% of complaints, with Brakes being the top problem area.
Does the 2021 Passat have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (21V812000) covers front wheel bearing bolts that may have been incorrectly tightened; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2021 Passat compare to other Passat years?
It ranks 15th worst out of 18 years tracked, well below years like 2013 (complaint index 100, Avoid) and near 2019 and 2022, which also earned Best verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Passat?
EPA rates it at 28 mpg combined (24 city/36 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.