2021 Volkswagen Passat Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 10%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat, 10% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving in the rain at an undisclosed speed, the Lane Departure Assist malfunctioned, causing the steering wheel to inadvertently move to the right or left. Additionally, the high-beam headlights were aimed too high upwards, making it difficult for the contact to see the road ahead. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer informed the contact that the Lane Departure Assist function could not be deactivated and that the high-beam headlights could not be adjusted. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11442406, filed 2021-12, 100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032219Apr 2, 2026Condition is normal due to cold fresh air and humidity
- 11021373Jul 14, 2025What to do if customer mentions water droplet within tail lights.
- 11011375Nov 27, 2024moisture witin rear tail lamp assembly
- 11005830Jul 15, 2024Phyical condensation within Taillamp cluster is an optical phenomenon and does not affect the function of the taillights.
- 10228175Dec 12, 2022Taillight Cluster Condensation. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10210225Apr 7, 2022Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation. Update model year applicability to include 2022.
- 10209421Mar 29, 2022Condensation in Taillight Cluster.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 60 | 8% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 32 | 5% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 11 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat
5 complaintsLane departure
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine
3 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