2021 Volkswagen Passat: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Volkswagen Passat at 28 mpg combined across 1 version. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 18 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
28
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Volkswagen dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 Volkswagen Passat recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat, newest first.
Wheels: Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs and 1 more component
NHTSA 21V812000Reported Oct 15, 2021
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 40R7)
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2021 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Volkswagen Passat crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2021 Volkswagen Passat owner complaints
Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volkswagen Passat, most recently on Jun 8, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2021 Volkswagen Passat complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Service brakes
5
Lane departure: Assist
4
Air bags
3
Electrical system
3
Exterior lighting
2
Steering
2
Engine
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Equipment
1
Equipment: Electrical: Infotainment
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
