2021 Volkswagen Passat
Model year 2021: every recall NHTSA’s file names for it, the complaints owners made to NHTSA, and its crash ratings.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s recall lookup is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
From NHTSA’s files, copied Oct 30, 2026.
- 1 recall naming it in NHTSA’s file (needs attention)
- 20 owner complaints to NHTSA
- 4of 5 the fewest overall stars NHTSA gave any of its versions
A recall covers the vehicles it names, by build date where NHTSA gives one. Your VIN says which are open on yours.
Is your vehicle in one of these recalls?
No public file says which recalls are still open on one vehicle. NHTSA’s lookup does, from its VIN.
The VIN goes to NHTSA, never to Hearth Record.
What recalls name it?
1 recall for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat in NHTSA’s file, newest first. Each covers the vehicles it names; your VIN says if yours is one.
None carries NHTSA’s advice not to drive it or to park outside.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 30, 2026. Updated daily.
Oct 15, 2021. Suspension: front: wheel bearing; wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
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NHTSA campaign
21V-812
What have owners told NHTSA?
20 complaints to NHTSA, received from Jun 24, 2021 to Oct 28, 2026.
- 1 complaint told of a crash, and 1 complaint of a fire.
- None reports anyone injured or killed.
- Complaints are owners’ own reports, not findings: NHTSA reads them to decide what to look into. Only their counts are kept here; no complaint’s words or owner are read.
NHTSA, Owner complaints flat files. Released Oct 30, 2026. Updated daily.
How did it do in crash tests?
NHTSA rated 2 versions of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat: from 4 to 5 stars overall.
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings, in whole stars. NHTSA’s safety concerns are shown beneath the stars they qualify, as NHTSA asks.
NHTSA, 5-Star Safety Ratings. Released Aug 7, 2026. Updated monthly.
| Version | Overall | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat, 4 DR, FWD | 5 stars | 4 starsDriver 4, passenger 4 | 5 starsSide pole 5 | 4 starsA 10.7% chance of rolling over; no tip |
NHTSA’s safety concern for this version
| ||||
| Passat, 4 DR, FWD, release 2 | 4 stars | 3 starsDriver 3, passenger 3 | 5 starsSide pole 5 | 4 starsA 10.7% chance of rolling over; no tip |
NHTSA’s notes on these ratings
- These ratings apply to vehicles manufactured before January 11, 2021. Volkswagen has issued Customer Service Action Notice 69BS. The safety concern and frontal ratings apply to vehicles that have NOT been serviced under that action
- These ratings apply to vehicles manufactured on and after January 11, 2021.
Safety technology, as NHTSA lists it
- Forward collision warning: standard.
- Lane departure warning: optional.
- Crash imminent braking: no.
- Dynamic brake support: no.
What the record doesn’t say
- Which recalls are still open on one vehicle: only NHTSA’s lookup, with its VIN, says that.
- Ratings are for the versions NHTSA tested. Other cabs, engines and drives can rate differently.
- How serious each complaint was, or whether it was confirmed: complaints aren’t findings.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 30, 2026 and checked Oct 30, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Owner complaints flat files.
Released Oct 30, 2026 and checked Oct 30, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5-Star Safety Ratings.
Released Aug 7, 2026 and checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 30, 2026.