2021 Volkswagen PASSAT
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Volkswagen PASSAT has 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 173. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: vw lane assist is on when the vehicle is turned on. it must be turned off by the driver which i forget to do. driving on country two lanes i've encountered joggers, bikers in the designated bike lane, service vehicles on the right shoulder. when i give them some extra room to avoid them the active l. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
28
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
0.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
6 complaints- • VW Lane Assist is on when the vehicle is turned on. It must be turned off by the driver which I forget to do. Driving on country two lanes I've encountered joggers, bikers in the designated bike lane, service vehicles on the right shoulder. When I give them some extra room to avoid them the Active L
- • The assisted lane control is working terribly on my car and cannot be turned off permanently. The take over steering must be turned off before I drive the car every single time. It does not work properly. Last week I went to steer around a pothole and almost went in the ditch because the steering
- • The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving through a pedestrian intersection with thick white lines, the vehicle automatically veered to the left or right. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving 30 to 45 MPH. The contact had not contacted the
“VW Lane Assist is on when the vehicle is turned on. It must be turned off by the driver which I forget to do. Driving on country two lanes I've encountered joggers, bikers in the designated bike lane, service vehicles on the right shoulder. When I give them some extra room to avoid them the Active L”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (1)
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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Volkswagen PASSAT
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 PASSAT
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 PASSAT 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 PASSAT, 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 28 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: VW Lane Assist is on when the vehicle is turned on. It must be turned off by the driver which I forget to do. Driving on country two lanes I've encountered joggers, bikers in the designated bike lane, service vehicles on the right shoulder. When I give them some extra room to avoid them the Active L
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the rear brake pads were generating an excessive amount of brake dust. The dealer was notified. The contact stated that he was informed a year later at a vehicle State Inspection, that the rear brakes were significantly worn. The veh
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I have encountered severe and unresolved issues with the vehicle, and despite multiple visits to Serramonte VW dealership, the problems persist. I leased this car from VW Serramonte on 8/29/2021, and their contact information is as follows: Serramonte Volkswagen 711 Serramonte Blvd. Colma, CA 9401
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Volkswagen dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Volkswagen PASSAT — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 28
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 3
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 173
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Volkswagen PASSAT