Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 78/100 (GOOD)

2021 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Report

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat has a good reliability standing, well above other 2021 sedans, but its rear brakes can wear out early.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

7.4per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$639

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,150

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity70/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact88/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity80/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Best of the five scored Passat years, with one recall, though early rear brake wear and intrusive lane assist show up in owner complaints.

Top Issues to Watch

SERVICE BRAKES (4)
LANE DEPARTURE (3)
STEERING (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 7)

2021 is year 7 of the Eighth generation (B8).

Redesigned for the 2015 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
8th generation Passat (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2015: Eighth generation (B8) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2021: This Model Year

2021 is year 7 of the Eighth generation (B8).

Should You Buy the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?

Good standing, and the best of the five scored Passat years. Against other 2021 sedans, this one rates well above average, with 18 owner complaints, or 7.4 per 10,000 sold. The 2020 rates worse and carries 3 recalls. The 2022 rates about the same, with fewer complaints and no recalls. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly upkeep above the class figure, at $639 versus $526.

Rear brakes are the main complaint. They wear out early, sometimes while the fronts still look fine, with pad and rotor replacement reported between about 5,000 and 17,000 miles. Heavy rear brake dust is the early warning. One owner was refused manufacturer help because the car was out of warranty. Lane assist is the other pattern: it steers the car back into its lane when drivers deliberately move over to avoid cyclists or roadside vehicles, and it must be switched off by hand each drive. One owner reported a fire that ended in a total loss, cause not stated. Federal recall records show 1 recall, covering wheels and suspension.

Ask for rear brake service records and confirm the wheel and suspension recall was completed. Try the lane assist on a test drive. A 2022 is worth a look if you want no recalls on file.

Compared to the 2022 Volkswagen Passat, which scored 1 points lower. See also the 2020 Volkswagen Passat for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Low major repair risk (9%)
+Low recall count
+Below-average complaint rate for Sedan

Cons

−Above-average repair costs for its class
−SERVICE BRAKES: Rear brakes wear out early, often while the front brakes are still in good shape (4 complaints)
−LANE DEPARTURE issues reported (3 complaints)

Compare 2021 Volkswagen Passat With

2021 Subaru Legacy

Reliability: 75/100

Good

2021 Genesis G80

Reliability: 70/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

HIGH RISK

SERVICE BRAKES (4)
LANE DEPARTURE (3)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recall on record

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

7.4

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 16.7

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Volkswagen Passat Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

21V8120002021-10-15

WHEELS, SUSPENSION

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Volkswagen Passat? Check its history first

Service brakes problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Volkswagen Passat, and 1 recall was issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2021 Volkswagen Passat NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 3/5Passenger: 3/5

Rollover risk: 10.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Not Available)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Volkswagen PassatRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$639

vs $526 avg for midsize cars

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.4

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Passat

$639

Category Avg

$526

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

28 MPG

Running cost: $2,800/yr

Fuel + repair

24 city / 36 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Passat 2.0L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	24	36	28	$2,150

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Volkswagen Passat.

Compare rear brake pad and rotor wear against the fronts, and look for heavy brake dust on the rear wheels.
Ask for brake service records and note any early rear pad or rotor replacement.
On a two-lane road, ease toward the shoulder and feel whether lane assist pulls the wheel back hard.
Cross crosswalks with thick white lines at 30 to 45 mph and watch for sudden steering tugs.
Test every steering-wheel button and confirm the airbag warning light goes out after startup.
Check high-beam aim at night on a dark road before you buy.
Ask about unresolved electrical faults or repeat dealer visits, and check for smoke or burning smells after the test drive.

2021 Volkswagen Passat Common Problems by Component

18 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

SERVICE BRAKES (4)LANE DEPARTURE (3)STEERING (2)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)EQUIPMENT (1)ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)AIR BAGS (1)Other (2)

SERVICE BRAKES

4 complaints

Rear brakes wear out early, often while the front brakes are still in good shape. Reports put rear pad and rotor replacement anywhere from about 5,000 to 17,000 miles, and heavy rear brake dust is an early warning sign. One dealer covered the repair on a lease. Another owner was refused manufacturer help because the car was out of warranty. A separate report describes automatic emergency braking slamming the car to a stop on an empty road at night, with only light water on the pavement.

4 complaints total

LANE DEPARTURE

3 complaints

Active lane assist steers the car back into its lane when the driver deliberately moves over to avoid something, such as a trailer sticking into the road, cyclists, joggers, or service vehicles on the shoulder. Near-collisions are part of these reports. Another report describes the car veering left or right on its own at crosswalks painted with thick white lines, at 30 to 45 mph. The system comes on with every start and has to be switched off by hand each drive.

3 complaints total

STEERING

2 complaints

Two separate problems show up. The clock spring in the steering wheel breaks under normal use, which cuts the connection to everything in the wheel, including the airbag and radio controls. The other problem is lane control fighting the driver when steering around potholes or cyclists, which in one case nearly put the car in a ditch. That system has to be switched off before every drive, and owners report dealers saying it cannot be turned off for good.

2 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaintsSafety-related

Only two reports here, but one involves a fire. The car began smoking after coming to a stop following a short drive, then caught fire and was declared a total loss. The cause is not stated. The other report describes electrical problems that began at 7,000 miles and stayed unresolved after repeated dealer visits. The specific faults are not described. That same owner also reports rear brake pads and rotors needing replacement at 9,000 miles.

2 complaints total1 fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaintsSafety-related

Most of these reports are about driver-assist systems, not lights. In one crash, the forward collision system did not respond when another car pulled out in front, and the driver hit a wall to avoid it. Another report describes lane departure assist moving the steering wheel left or right in the rain, plus high beams aimed so high the road was hard to see. That car had about 100 miles on it. The dealer said the lane assist could not be turned off and the headlights could not be adjusted.

2 complaints total1 crash

EQUIPMENT (1 complaints)

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

2025-08-04

See attached document for complaint.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

2025-08-04

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while stopped at a red traffic light, the engine stalled. The low oil pressure and the battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the piston ring and engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,995.

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaint

2025-11-24

I was parking my car and then I heard a loud crack. Then I noticed my car's airbag malfunction warning notice came up on the dashboard along with other failures. I can see on the edges of the horn panel on the left that its slightly detached, so it seem the airbag has somewhat inflated. I haven't taken it to the dealer yet, but will later after work. I didn't notice any issues prior to this happening

STRUCTURE (1 complaints)

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

2024-11-01

There is a headlight chrome accent piece right above the left headlight that one day just blew off the vehicle when driving down the highway. Oddly enough, I live in a small town of Mason City, IA and I saw another VW Passat (same year) missing the same exact piece so I know this is a vehicle defect. You also can not just replace this one part, it costs over $1,000 to replace the full headlight assemble. I hope others report this defect as this is very dangerous when you have chrome pieces flying off your vehicle when it is not even windy and the vehicle has never had any other damage.

TIRES (1 complaints)

TIRES

1 complaint

2024-02-03

I own a 2021 Volkswagen Passat R-Line that has GITI 235/40R19 Comfort tires, I have had bubbles on two of the tires that blew out going down the interstate. I now have a third tire with the same issue.

When Do 2021 Volkswagen Passat Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

5,000–17,000 milesPremature rear brake wear

Best & Worst Volkswagen Passat Years

Best Volkswagen Passat Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

2021

(Current Model)

1Recalls

18Complaints

Good

2022

0Recalls

11Complaints

Good

2019

1Recalls

12Complaints

Volkswagen Passat Years to Avoid

No Volkswagen Passat years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 71 and 78 across 5 scored model years.

See full Volkswagen Passat years-to-avoid analysis

Volkswagen Passat Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Volkswagen Passat reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	71/100	Good
2019	77/100	Good
2020	75/100	Good
2021	78/100	Good
2022	77/100	Good

Volkswagen Passat Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2022	77/100	-1	Good	0	11
2021(selected)	78/100	+3	Good	1	18
2020	75/100	-2	Good	3	15
2019	77/100	+6	Good	1	12
2018	71/100	—	Good	4	45

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Yes, it has a good reliability standing. It rates well above average among 2021 sedans and is the best of the five scored Passat years. Owners filed 18 complaints, and federal records list one recall. Repair costs run higher than the class average, so budget for that.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?

Service brakes lead the list with 4 complaints, mostly rear pads and rotors wearing out early. Lane departure assist follows with 3, where the car steers back against the driver's intended move. Electrical and exterior lighting each have 2 complaints, and several of those involve driver-assist systems.

Does the 2021 Volkswagen Passat have rear brake problems?

Some owners report it. Rear pads and rotors wore out between about 5,000 and 17,000 miles, often before the front brakes showed wear. Heavy rear brake dust was an early sign. One owner was denied manufacturer help after warranty ended, so check service records before buying.

Has the 2021 Volkswagen Passat been recalled?

Federal recall records show 1 recall for this model year, in the wheels and suspension area. The 2020 has 3 recalls and the 2022 has none. Run the VIN through the federal recall lookup to confirm the repair was done on any car you consider.

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Passat better than the 2022?

On the data, they are close. Both have a good standing, and the 2022 rates about the same. The 2022 has 11 complaints and no recalls, against 18 complaints and 1 recall for the 2021. The 2021 is the best of the five scored years.

Don’t buy a 2021 Volkswagen Passat without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2021 Volkswagen Passat

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat does best on recall impact (88/100) and worst on complaint severity (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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