2021 Volkswagen Passat problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (5) · Lane Departure: Assist (3) · Engine (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Passat model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 2021-10-15 · campaign 21V812000 · 30 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (349)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-17 · V0116152014815_20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suggested fuel additive
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Service Brakes 2026-08-27 · V4622022067177_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
repair or replace information
Engine 2026-08-21 · SM 35-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed and only order the successor parts going forward.
Power Train 2026-08-10 · V4015022033347_8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacement instruction
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-06 · TT 00-13-04_7 · Other
permission to change daily order upgraded to red order
Showing the 6 most recent of 349 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-28 · Engine“since purchase in xxx, the vehicle has intermittently illuminated the epc warning light at startup, at which point the engine will not accelerate (reduced power/limp mode). cycling the ignition usually clears it. beginning in xxx, a second symptom appeared: while stopped at idle (traffic lights, stop signs), the battery warning light illuminates an…”
2026-10-27 · Engine · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that while driving, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with torque converter failure. the contact stated that the breather box was previously replaced by a local independent service center. the manufacturer…”
2026-06-08 · Engine · 🔥 fire“i am requesting that volkswagen open a formal case regarding a fire involving my 2021 volkswagen passat. on may 6, 2026, at approximately 9:30 pm, after driving about seven miles, i came to a complete stop and the vehicle began smoking before catching fire. the vehicle has been declared a total loss and is currently being stored at a salvage yard p…”
2025-11-24 · Air Bags“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 inflated. i haven't taken it to the dealer yet, but will later after wor…”
2025-10-08 · Service Brakes“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 and no reason for this to occur.…”
2025-08-22 · Equipment:electrical:infotainment“see attached document for complaint.…”
2025-08-05 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 37,995 mi“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 independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the piston ring and engine …”
2025-03-13 · Steering“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)…”
2024-11-26 · Structure:body“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 is a vehicle defect. you also can not just replace this one part, it …”
2024-07-25 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.