The 2021 Volkswagen Passat has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 30 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
WHEELS21V8120002021-10-1530 affected
Defect
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.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES
5
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
4
AIR BAGS
3
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
1fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
1crashes
STEERING
2
ENGINE
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
EQUIPMENT
1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT
1
Total complaints28
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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. The vehicle has been declared a total…”
“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. The vehicle has been declared a total…”
“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…”
“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. There was a light coating of water in a spot on the road but nothing else and no reason for…”
“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. There was a light coating of water in a spot on the road but nothing else and no reason for…”
“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,…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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