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2021 Volkswagen Passat

Gas
Midsize Cars
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA18
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA28 mpg
2022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car. The most efficient version, the Passat, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 18 complaints, most often about the lane departure. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
PassatGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243628$2,250

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42833.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Suspension

40R7
30 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen 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.RiskThe bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V812000reported Oct 15, 2021Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
18complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Lane Departure5
Service Brakes5
Electrical System3
Air Bags3
Steering2
Exterior Lighting2

What owners describe

“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 be…”Jun 8, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“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…”Nov 24, 2025 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“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.”Oct 8, 2025 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%
4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning.

Other Passat model years

A

2022 Volkswagen Passat

0 recalls · 12 complaints

C

2020 Volkswagen Passat

3 recalls · 17 complaints

A

2019 Volkswagen Passat

1 recalls · 12 complaints

D

2018 Volkswagen Passat

4 recalls · 45 complaints

F

2017 Volkswagen Passat

7 recalls · 110 complaints

F

2016 Volkswagen Passat

5 recalls · 106 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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