1 NHTSA safety recall covers the 2021 Volkswagen Passat. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about this model year. Every recall repair is free at any Volkswagen dealer.
Is yours affected? Recalls cover ranges of VINs, not every 2021 Volkswagen Passat. Check your Passat by VIN and confirm open recalls at NHTSA.gov.
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volkswagen Passat, reporting 1 crashes, 1 fires. Volkswagen has issued at least 349 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Read Volkswagen Passat owner complaints and bulletins, every year
Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volkswagen Passat. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
“I am requesting that Volkswagen open a formal case regarding a fire involving my 2021 Volkswagen Passat. On May 6, 2026, at approximately 9:30 PM, after driving about seven miles, I came to a complete stop and the vehicle began smoking before catching fire.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11742775
“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.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11604412
“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.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11701230
“Driving home from work around 1:00 am at night with street lights and no other cars in the vicinity the auto brake engaged, causing an abrupt stop. Once the auto brake ceased I was able to complete my trip.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11692184
“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.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11678501
Search the official database: NHTSA. Excerpts are quoted from the public record, shortened at a sentence and with personal details removed.
Not every 2021 Volkswagen Passat is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Volkswagen dealer.