Recall 21V812 covers 30 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles with loose wheel bearing bolts. Free repair at a Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 30 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles because the front wheel bearing bolts need inspection for incorrect tightening. Loose bolts can cause loss of control and increase crash risk, and Volkswagen dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front wheel bearing is the front hub support that lets the wheel turn smoothly while carrying the vehicle's weight. On 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles in this recall, bolts secure that bearing to the front suspension area so the assembly stays fixed while the wheel rotates.
The problem is not the bearing itself. During supplier assembly, a backup tightening tool was used after the main tool failed. That backup tool did not record torque data, meaning the tightening force was not confirmed and the tool did not alert workers if a bolt was under-tightened. A bolt that was not tightened correctly can loosen as the vehicle is driven.
If the front wheel bearing bolts have loosened, occupants can hear unusual noise from the front of the vehicle. That noise is the warning sign Volkswagen identified for this defect.
Who's affected?
Covers Atlas, Passat, and Atlas Cross Sport, with the same front wheel bearing bolts listed under both wheel fastener and front suspension components.
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
|---|---|
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas | front suspension |
| 2021 Volkswagen Passat | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| 2021 Volkswagen Passat | front suspension |
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | front suspension |
| Units affected | 30 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching 2021 Volkswagen model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loose front wheel bearing bolts can lead to loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Unusual noise from the front of the vehicle is a warning sign that the bolts are loose. Drive cautiously and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, or Atlas Cross Sport is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free front wheel bearing bolt inspection and bolt replacement that secures the bolts tied to loss of control.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 21V812 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary trips until the dealer completes the inspection and any needed bolt replacement.
- Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 with questions about the dealer repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician checks the tightness of the front wheel bearing bolts and replaces any bolts that do not meet spec. The recall covers parts and labor, so the repair is free. Volkswagen is not offering a separate reimbursement plan for this campaign because the affected vehicles were within the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period. If you already paid for related work, ask the service desk how the existing warranty applies to your paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 2, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 24, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| December 24, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 24, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 24, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V812?
Recall 21V812 covers 30 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles with front wheel bearing bolts that were incorrectly tightened. If the bolts loosen, the vehicle can lose control, increasing crash risk. Volkswagen dealers inspect the bolts and replace them for free when needed.
What should I do if my 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, or Atlas Cross Sport is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V812. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the front wheel bearing bolt inspection. Reference recall number 21V812 and Volkswagen recall number 40R7 when you call.
Is the Volkswagen recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Volkswagen's remedy says dealers will inspect the tightness of the front wheel bearing bolts and replace the bolts, when needed, free of charge.
Is it safe to drive before the recall repair?
The official consequence is loss of control if the front wheel bearing bolts loosen. This recall is not marked do-not-drive, but a VIN match means you should schedule the dealer inspection promptly and avoid delaying the free repair.
When were owners notified about recall 21V812?
Volkswagen mailed owner notification letters on November 2, 2021. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V812000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V812 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V812000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →