2021 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 25%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat, 25% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 this to occur.”
NHTSA complaint #11692184, filed 2025-10“The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the rear brake pads were generating an excessive amount of brake dust. The dealer was notified. The contact stated that he was informed a year later at a vehicle State Inspection, that the rear brakes were significantly worn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an uneven brake wear as the rear brakes were prematurely worn while the front brakes were in very good condition. …”
NHTSA complaint #11530411, filed 2023-07, 5,000 miles“Rear brakes needed to be replaced at less than 20k miles The dealer comped it since we lease 2 different 2021 VW Passats and they both needed their rear wheels replaced at sub 20k miles”
NHTSA complaint #11542363, filed 2023-09Related service bulletins
- 11036878Aug 27, 2026Repair or Replace Information
- 11026177Nov 6, 2025Warranty Instruction and guidance
- 11026174Nov 3, 2025Alignment sheet submission.
- 11016584Mar 12, 2025Brake Repair or Replacement Information
- 10239659Jul 13, 2023Brake Disc (rotor) instruction for resurfacing following Volkswagen Warranty Policy & Procedure Manual.
- 10239637Jul 13, 2023Brake repair or replacement instruction.
- 10214795Jun 22, 2022Brake Rotor, Vibration / Pulsation. Addition of mandatory brake form and reference to Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual.
- 10214771Jun 22, 2022Vibration / Pulsation or Noise when Braking. Update to include model year and worksheet.
- 10214748Jun 22, 2022Brake repair or replace worksheet.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 3 | 25% |
| 2018 | 13 | 28% |
| 2017 | 17 | 15% |
| 2016 | 17 | 16% |
| 2015 | 28 | 12% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 8 | 1% |
| 2012 | 12 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 16 | 6% |
| 2006 | 49 | 9% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 42 | 7% |
| 2002 | 72 | 11% |
| 2001 | 63 | 15% |
| 2000 | 207 | 41% |
| 1999 | 233 | 35% |
| 1998 | 90 | 27% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 14 | 15% |
| 1994 | 4 | 16% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 3 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology