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2021 Volkswagen Passat problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 Volkswagen Passat has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 1safety recall
- 0owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 8%fail the UK MOT
Every Volkswagen Passat model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
Has the 2021 Volkswagen Passat been recalled?
1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Wheels: Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 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.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Passat recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAOn certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a…On certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment.
Risk: On certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment.
Fix: A check of the installation of the heat protection mat on affected vehicles will be conducted. If necessary the correct heat shield condition will be restored and in a damage case the damaged components will be replaced.
UK DVSAThe fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was in some cases produced with too little so-called fire sand
Risk: The fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was in some cases produced with too little so-called fire sand.
Fix: An additional protective insulating mat is to be fitted to the switching unit for high-voltage battery.
UK DVSAThe bolted connection of the pull rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal could come loose
Risk: The bolted connection of the pull rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal may come loose resulting in a loss of all service braking ability.
Fix: Vehicles are not to be driven and the bolted connection of the input rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal must be checked and if necessary retightened
UK DVSAThe positive battery cable and the control unit cable may have been mixed up
Risk: The positive battery cable and the cable to the control unit for battery monitoring on the main fuse box in the boot may have been mixed up.
Fix: Inspect the two connected cables on the main fuse box and if necessary swap them into the correct positions.
EU Safety GateThe thermal protection between the brake force booster and the emissions control device in front of the coupling support with the brake…The thermal protection between the brake force booster and the emissions control device in front of the coupling support with the brake fluid reservoir may not have been correctly fitted. The coupling support could melt, leading to a leak of brake fluid, which could ignite if it comes into contact with hot components.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe amount of extinguishing sand in the fuse of the high-voltage system is not sufficient in the event of a short circuit to the…The amount of extinguishing sand in the fuse of the high-voltage system is not sufficient in the event of a short circuit to the high-voltage safety system. This may cause it to burst, increasing the risk of injuries. Furthermore, the blown fuse can interrupt electrical flow of current leading to a voltage drop inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe engine covers installed on affected vehicles could detach from their fixings depending on the conditions of use (e.g.very sporty driving, or poor road surfaces) and their age. A loose engine cover could come into contact with the hot area of the exhaust gas turbocharger, increasing the risk of burns or fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe push/actuating rod may not be properly screwed onto the brake booster and could become detached.As a result, there would no longer be any mechanical connection between the foot brake and the brake booster.Consequently, braking will be possible only by actuating the regulated emergency-braking function of the electronic parking brake (EPB) using the EPB switch on the central console.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe connections of the 12V positive battery cable and of the battery monitoring system cable to the main fuse box may have been swapped…The connections of the 12V positive battery cable and of the battery monitoring system cable to the main fuse box may have been swapped round.As a result, the 12V positive battery cable will not be properly fused In the event of a short circuit, e.g. following an accident, and its temperature would exceed the permitted value, leading to increased risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2021 Volkswagen Passat fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2021, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
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2021 Volkswagen Passat: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. NHTSA has fewer than three owner complaints on file for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat. There is 1 safety recall.
Does the 2021 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat; the most recent (campaign 21V812000, 2021-10-15) concerns Wheels: Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own Passat
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2021 only.