2021 Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 11%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the steering of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat, 11% of the 18 complaints for this model year.
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 assisted lane control is working terribly on my car and cannot be turned off permanently. The take over steering must be turned off before I drive the car every single time. It does not work properly. Last week I went to steer around a pothole and almost went in the ditch because the steering control was fighting with me to not let me steer where I needed to go. The previous incident I was trying to go around a cyclist and had to literally fight with my steering to keep it from hitting the biker. It is terrible. The dealer told me it could not be permanently disabled. …”
NHTSA complaint #11427609, filed 2021-08“Known issue in previous VW models. Broken clock spring in steering wheel from normal <100k miles no connection for all steering wheel electronics (airbags, radio controls, etc)”
NHTSA complaint #11648017, filed 2025-03Related service bulletins
- 11036880Aug 3, 2026Clean and install an additional plastic "ring" to prevent ingress of dirt,hair. Foreign bodies into the clock spring.
- 11028492Jan 20, 2026Assessment of Damage to steering wheel leather
- 11025426Oct 24, 2025This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11018934May 22, 2025Using Alignment Sheet Submission Form
- 10235284Apr 27, 2023This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% |
| 2021 | 2 | 11% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2017 | 16 | 15% |
| 2016 | 19 | 18% |
| 2015 | 26 | 11% |
| 2014 | 44 | 7% |
| 2013 | 51 | 7% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 2 | 13% |
| 2010 | 13 | 8% |
| 2009 | 20 | 14% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 15 | 6% |
| 2006 | 112 | 19% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 10 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 13 | 3% |
| 2000 | 25 | 5% |
| 1999 | 76 | 11% |
| 1998 | 52 | 16% |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat
5 complaintsLane departure
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsEngine
1 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 29, 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