2021 Volkswagen ARTEON
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Volkswagen ARTEON has 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.9x the segment average of 13. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: auto ran into a slow moving car at the top of a hill. minor damage to other car. fire started on the arteon and then totalled the car. this could have caused death. car was inspected by insurance company and they determined the car to be a total loss. no other analysis has been completed. no wa. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
25
Total Complaints
4
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.9x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
9 complaints- • Auto ran into a slow moving car at the top of a hill. Minor damage to other car. Fire started on the arteon and then totalled the car. This could have caused death. Car was inspected by insurance company and they determined the car to be a total loss. No other analysis has been completed. No wa
- • Auto ran into a slow moving car at the top of a hill. Minor damage to other car. Fire started on the arteon and then totalled the car. This could have caused death. Car was inspected by insurance company and they determined the car to be a total loss. No other analysis has been completed. No wa
- • Travel Assist blends the functions of Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist to ensure that your Volkswagen maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and keeps you centered in the lane. Constant travel assistance issue warning light during driving, and randomly turning on/off or turning the
“Auto ran into a slow moving car at the top of a hill. Minor damage to other car. Fire started on the arteon and then totalled the car. This could have caused death. Car was inspected by insurance company and they determined the car to be a total loss. No other analysis has been completed. No wa”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (4)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The pressure input rod connection on the brake booster may be loose and could detach.
Risk: A detached pressure input rod will cause the brake pedal to fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the pressure input rod connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47R3.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Volkswagen ARTEON
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Volkswagen ARTEON
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Volkswagen ARTEON Service Intervals
TSI turbo engines require VW-approved 502/504 spec synthetic oil. DSG transmission service (if equipped) every 40K miles.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Volkswagen New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Volkswagen. If you're buying a used 2021 ARTEON, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volkswagen dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 25 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: Auto ran into a slow moving car at the top of a hill. Minor damage to other car. Fire started on the arteon and then totalled the car. This could have caused death. Car was inspected by insurance company and they determined the car to be a total loss. No other analysis has been completed. No wa
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: Travel Assist blends the functions of Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist to ensure that your Volkswagen maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and keeps you centered in the lane. Constant travel assistance issue warning light during driving, and randomly turning on/off or turning the
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TIRES: Continental 245 35 20 tires. Experienced six (6) sidewall failures in 10 months from relatively average pothole or road bumps. Only one of the six failures occurred at a speed above 35 mph. Incident occurred between February 2021 and October 2021
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: Travel Assist blends the functions of Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist to ensure that your Volkswagen maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and keeps you centered in the lane. Constant travel assistance issue warning light during driving, and randomly turning on/off or turning the
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Volkswagen dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Volkswagen ARTEON — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 4
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 13
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Volkswagen ARTEON