2021 Volkswagen Passat Safety Report
2021 Volkswagen Passat Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Volkswagen Passat. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (0) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Volkswagen Passat with 9 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Volkswagen Passat before buying across this generation. |
Volkswagen Passat Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Volkswagen Passat years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Volkswagen Passat | 9 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Volkswagen Passat | 15 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Volkswagen Passat | 12 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Volkswagen Passat | 43 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Volkswagen Passat | 107 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Volkswagen Passat | 104 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat
Reliability Score
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel Lug Nuts And Bolts Potential issues with wheel lug nuts and bolts can lead to wheel detachment during high-speed driving, posing a significant safety risk. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Deployment System Concerns about the airbag deployment system may result in incorrect functioning in certain crash scenarios, potentially compromising passenger safety. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Volkswagen Passat:
Issues with wheel lug nuts and bolts are a common problem.
Recall Details for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Volkswagen Passat
Has the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT have?
The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 0 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 3/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
There are no component-specific complaint patterns on file for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.
How many crash reports does the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.
Should I buy a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT is generally recommended. It has 0 complaints, 1 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What should I know before buying a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
Ensure your 2021 Volkswagen Passat is regularly inspected for wheel lug nuts and bolts, and follow any recall notices issued by Volkswagen. The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 0 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 0 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Wheel Lug Nuts and Bolts and Airbag Deployment System.
What are the known issues with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?
Known issues with the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT include: Wheel Lug Nuts and Bolts, Airbag Deployment System. These are based on patterns found across 0 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?
No, but there are recalls for the 2021 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport due to wheel lug nuts and bolts issues.
What should I do if I own a 2021 Volkswagen Passat?
Regularly inspect your vehicle for wheel lug nuts and bolts, and stay informed about any recall notices from Volkswagen.
What are the potential risks of the wheel lug nuts and bolts issue?
The potential risk is wheel detachment during high-speed driving, which can be dangerous.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Ensure your 2021 Volkswagen Passat is regularly inspected for wheel lug nuts and bolts, and follow any recall notices issued by Volkswagen.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Volkswagen Passat
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat. The data includes 0 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Volkswagen Passat an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 3 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16