VolkswagenPassat2021Overview/volkswagen/passat/2021/base/

2021 Volkswagen Passat

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Passat.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat routes its power through an automatic S6 transmission, delivering EPA ratings of 24 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined, while routine service calls for 6.0 quarts of 0W-20 oil. When viewed against a complaint history that stretches from 1990 through 2022, this model year lands in the quieter stretch of the record—well past the 2013 peak of 747 complaints and near the 2022 low of just 11. For researchers, that late-cycle positioning signals a comparatively settled reliability profile relative to the model's most troubled years.

Model year202220212020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/36/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 06L115562B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI The OEM uses various batteries during production based on vehicle options. PR codes will denote factory installed options for this vehicle. Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tire size235/40R19 92HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06L115562B
Engine air filter5C0129620B
Spark plug06K905601D
Battery000915089E alt 000915089F
Front wiper blades561955426B alt 561955425B
Serpentine belt06K260849A
Cabin air filter1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase110.2 in
Curb weight3325 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 36 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Passat of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.7–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2016 V6 SEL Premium Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020SE Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.80 sec15.90 sec174 hpFWD
2020SEL Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-48.30 sec16.20 sec174 hpFWD
2020SEL Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-48.50 sec16.50 sec174 hpFWD
2018GT Sedan 3.6L V65.80 sec14.40 sec280 hpFWD
2018GT Sedan 3.6L V65.90 sec14.30 sec280 hpFWD
2018TSI SE Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-48.10 sec16.10 sec174 hpFWD
2018TSI R-Line Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-48.40 sec16.40 sec174 hpFWD
2016V6 SEL Premium Sedan 3.6L V65.70 sec14.30 sec280 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAudi/VW P/N G 055 025 A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.39 qt
Engine CoolantVolkswagen Coolant G13 TL-VW-774J
Engine Coolant Capacity10.6 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsDiesel Engines: 84.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerVolkswagen
Spark Plug Torque22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.02-1.08 lbs
Oil Capacity3.40-4.0 oz

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect Ball Joint by pulling down on lower control arm then forcing it upward. The joint should also be inspected by moving the lower portion of the tire and wheel in an in and out motion. During inspections allow for normal upper strut mount and wheel bearing wear but no ball joint play should be observed. Step 3: The ball joint should also be replaced if the boot is torn, stud is worn or joint shows any play.
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolt with Collar37 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°44 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi; coolant every 20,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 20,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 80,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V812000Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/StudsReported 15/10/2021

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. 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…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Passat. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Passat take?

6.0 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Passat have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Passat get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 36 highway / 28 combined mpg.