The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 6 of 20 complaints (30%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 18 in 2020 to 20 in 2021.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 20
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,200
- Combined MPG
- 28
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2021 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150 | 2,300 | 2,200 | 2,200 | |
| Combined MPG | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25 / 36 | 23 / 34 | 24 / 36 | 24 / 36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 302 | 330 | 314 | 315 | |
| Complaints filed | 12 | 18 | 20 | 13 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Passat have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 6 of 20 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates it 28 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Volkswagen Passat?
EPA estimates $2,200 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg | 36 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 | 314 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING; WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
- Defect
- 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.