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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat has zero owner defect complaints and 1 safety recall campaign on file with NHTSA.

EPA testing covers 1 certified vehicle configuration spanning 2l 4-cyl powertrain configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 28 MPG combined. The 2021 Volkswagen Passat belongs to the north american nms generation (NMS / Typ A32) Passat platform spanning model years 2015–2022.

Platform Architecture: North American NMS Generation (NMS / Typ A32) • Production Span: 2015–2022 • Platform Code: PQ46 / NMS • Lifecycle Note: NMS 1 (2015–2019) / NMS 2 Facelift (2020–2022)
Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 0 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 1 official campaign
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 4 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 28–28 MPG across 1 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Passat 2L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 24 MPG 36 MPG 28 MPG — $2,200 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
4 DR FWD Later Release 10.7%
4 DR FWD Early Release 10.7%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Volkswagen Passat models.
View complete 2021 Volkswagen Passat crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?

Summary of 0 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
0
Crash Reports
0
Fire Reports
0
Complaints w/ Injury
0
Total Injuries
0

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 Volkswagen Passat problems & component breakdown (0 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #21V812000 Active Recall
Affected Component: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2021 Volkswagen Passat recalls & campaign history (1 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 Volkswagen Passat

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat

How many safety recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Passat have?

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat is associated with 1 official NHTSA safety recall campaign in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 1 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?

AutoUtility currently records zero consumer defect complaints on file with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat.

A zero-complaint record in federal databases reflects submitted owner filings and does not guarantee the absence of mechanical issues.

Explore full 2021 Volkswagen Passat defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 Volkswagen Passat earned Overall Safety Ratings ranging from 4 to 5 stars depending on tested variant across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 Volkswagen Passat get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat range from 28 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.