2021 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
25/100
#10 most-complained of 13 Passat years
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat has a Complaint Index of 25, ranking 10th out of 13 model years — a Good result relative to other Passat years. It has 18 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and its top problem area is Brakes.
- Complaints
- 18
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24 city / 36 hwy
Top 2021 Volkswagen Passat problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes5 (28%)
- Electrical System5 (28%)
- Lane Departure5 (28%)
- Airbags3 (17%)
- Engine2 (11%)
- Other2 (11%)
- Steering2 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (6%)
- Structure & Body1 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (6%)
What owners report
- Rear brake pads wear excessively and generate heavy brake dust, with some owners needing rear brake replacement around 17,000 miles.
- Lane Departure Assist has been reported to steer the car toward the very hazard the driver was trying to avoid, including joggers, bikers, and service vehicles on the shoulder.
- Some owners say Lane Assist activates automatically at startup and must be manually turned off each drive, catching them off guard on two-lane roads.
- One owner reported the vehicle veering left or right on its own near a pedestrian crosswalk with thick white lines while driving 30 to 45 mph.
- A reported electrical fire started after the vehicle came to a stop following about seven miles of driving, resulting in the car being declared a total loss.
- One owner reported a forward collision warning system that failed to activate before a crash into a wall.
2021 Volkswagen Passat recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
- Compared to other Passat model years, 2021 ranks well. It has a Complaint Index of 25 and ranks 10th worst out of 13 years tracked, earning a Good verdict.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Passat?
- Brakes is the top problem area, accounting for 28% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 5,000 miles.
- Does the 2021 Passat have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 Passat, covering front wheel bearing bolts that may have been incorrectly tightened. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- Are there fire or crash reports for the 2021 Passat?
- NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 fire among the 18 complaints filed for the 2021 Passat, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
- How does the 2021 Passat compare to other years like 2013 or 2019?
- The 2021 Passat's Complaint Index of 25 is far lower than the 2013 model's index of 100, which is rated Avoid, but higher than the 2019 model's index of 0, which is rated Best.