Volkswagen Arteon years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Volkswagen Arteon years

The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon is the single worst model year in the lineup, rated worst by CarComplaints on repair cost and mileage-at-failure, while also carrying the highest raw NHTSA complaint volume of any Arteon year; the 2019 is the runner-up worst year due to its brake-booster recall and first-year reliability unknowns.

This guide draws on NHTSA complaint and recall data, CarComplaints PainRank (which ranks model years by repair cost and average mileage at failure, not raw volume), RepairPal repair costs, IIHS crash-test results, and owner discussions on VW Vortex. CarComplaints and NHTSA measure different things: CarComplaints rates the worst year by how expensive and early problems tend to occur (PainRank), while NHTSA shows raw complaint volume - and in the Arteon's case, both sources point to 2021 as the most problematic year. Our years-to-avoid methodology explains how each source is weighted.

Every Volkswagen Arteon model year ranked

The Volkswagen Arteon has only one generation in the U.S. market, sold from 2019 through 2023, and the data shows a clear split between the early years and the refreshed 2022-2023 cars.

Most common Volkswagen Arteon problems

The single biggest documented failure across the Arteon lineup is the cooling system water pump leak, which CarComplaints identifies as the most-reported problem category for the 2021 model year. Below are the four most consistent failure categories found across NHTSA data, CarComplaints, recall records, and owner forums.

1. Cooling system / water pump leak

The EA888 2.0T engine in the Arteon uses a thermoplastic water pump housing that can crack or warp prematurely. According to a 2021 class action lawsuit, Volkswagen and Audi vehicles are equipped with defective engine water pumps; these components are allegedly manufactured with defective thermoplastic that can fail prematurely and overheat, resulting in sudden catastrophic engine failure. The tell-tale symptom is a coolant level warning light, sometimes accompanied by rising coolant temperature.

Some 2019-2021 Arteons are part of this class-action settlement, so checking your VIN against the settlement portal before buying is a concrete step that can save you from an expensive surprise. The most-reported problem for the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon on CarComplaints is the water pump leak.

VW owners have reported going through multiple water pump replacements before 70,000 miles, with the first failure covered by the original factory warranty around 37,000 miles and leaks recurring around 62,000 miles. Out-of-warranty replacement runs roughly $800-$1,200 in parts and labor, based on VW Vortex owner accounts. If you're buying a 2019-2021 Arteon, ask the seller for the full cooling system service history and confirm whether the water pump failure symptoms have ever appeared.

2. Brake booster recall (2019 and 2021)

A 2019 recall covers the service brakes: an increased actuating force or a disconnected input rod may affect braking, increasing the risk of a crash. The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon has 1 known recall: brake booster rod disconnects causing extra braking effort.

The same issue resurfaced on the 2021 model. NHTSA campaign 21V-695 (manufacturer recall number 47R3) covers certain 2021 Arteon vehicles where the pressure input rod connection on the brake booster may be loose and could detach, causing the brake pedal to fail and increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers tighten the pressure input rod connection free of charge. Before buying any 2019 or 2021 Arteon, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this repair has been completed.

3. Rearview camera failure (2021)

Volkswagen recalled certain 2021 Arteon FL vehicles because the manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display, causing these vehicles to fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A second recall covers 2021 Arteon vehicles where the rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze, failing to comply with FMVSS 111. Volkswagen notifies owners and dealers update the infotainment system software free of charge. Together, these two camera-related recalls account for two of the four total recalls on the 2021 Arteon. Verify both software updates are complete before purchase.

4. TPMS miscalibration (2021)

NHTSA campaign 21V-274 (manufacturer recall number 44R2) covers certain 2021 Arteon vehicles whose Tire Pressure Monitoring System sensors were incorrectly calibrated and may not detect the position of a wheel sensor after tire rotation, failing to comply with FMVSS 138, and the TPMS may misidentify a tire with low air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy is for dealers to replace the wheel electronics and tire valves, free of charge. A faulty TPMS is more than an annoyance - a tire pressure sensor fault that masks a genuinely low tire can lead to a blowout. Confirm the recall repair is complete by checking the VIN; this is one of the faster dealer fixes.

5. Front Assist / Travel Assist false activations (2021)

Owners of Arteons with Travel Assist have reported persistent "not available" warning chimes, with one owner describing 10-12 warning chimes in less than a mile every morning. The dealer fix is to replace the steering wheel. This issue is largely confined to the 2021 model year and ties into the broader pattern of early-build 2021 cars having electrical and sensor calibration issues.

NHTSA records seven owner complaints about the 2021 Arteon, with a few focusing on forward collision avoidance protection, the tires, and the electrical system. If you test-drive a 2021, check that the driver-assistance warnings are not cycling on a clear road.

6. Sunroof trim and rear wheel bearing housing (2019 production)

The metal housing surrounding the rear wheel bearings of Arteons built between August 21, 2017 and August 29, 2019 might fracture in extreme circumstances; you may notice an abnormal noise from the rear of the car and uneven tire wear, and if left, there is also the possibility that a wheel could fall off.

A small number of cars built from the start of production to May 31, 2017 could have a problem with the sunroof trim not bonded correctly to the frame; any VW dealer will be able to tell you if your car is affected. Both issues are recall-eligible, so a VIN check resolves them quickly. An unusual clunking or grinding from the rear axle area is the warning sign to watch for - symptoms similar to a bad axle can trace back to a bearing housing defect on these build dates.

Which Volkswagen Arteon years should you avoid?

The Volkswagen Arteon years to avoid are 2019 and 2021. CarComplaints rates the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon as the worst model year, ranked on repair cost and average mileage when problems occur, and it also has the most overall complaints. On raw NHTSA complaint volume, NHTSA records seven owner complaints about the 2021 Arteon - the highest of any Arteon year - making 2021 the worst year on both measures simultaneously.

Worst Volkswagen Arteon years: 2019, 2021

First-generation Volkswagen Arteon (2019-2023)

The Arteon has only one U.S. generation, so the "worst" designation applies to specific years within it rather than an entire generation. The 2019 is the first U.S. model year, and it has six reports of issues ranging from tire troubles to a faulty backup camera, according to NHTSA, plus a single recall covering a mis-installed brake booster, a significant safety concern. First-year production cars across any nameplate tend to carry a higher rate of early-build defects, and the 2019 Arteon fits that pattern.

The 2021 is the more worrying of the two. Four recalls have been issued for the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon by NHTSA. The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon has 10 problems and defects reported by Arteon owners on CarComplaints, and the worst complaints are cooling system problems. That combination of recall count and complaint severity is what earns it the worst-year designation.

What are the best Volkswagen Arteon years to buy?

The best Volkswagen Arteon years to buy are 2022 and 2023. The 2022 Volkswagen Arteon addresses previous concerns by adding more horsepower and an improved transmission, and owners have almost nothing bad to say about it, with NHTSA citing just a single complaint about repeated flat tires. There are no recalls for the 2022 Arteon.

Most reliable Volkswagen Arteon years: 2022, 2023

2022 Volkswagen Arteon

VW reworked the powertrain for the 2022 model year, dialing the engine up to 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and fitting a new dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission. The result is a cleaner mechanical package with no carry-over recall liabilities. Volkswagen of America announced that the 2022 Arteon was named a 2022 TOP SAFETY PICK by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety when equipped with LED headlights and the Adaptive Front-lighting System. At a used price well below its original MSRP, the 2022 is the value pick of the lineup.

2023 Volkswagen Arteon

The 2023 Arteon received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, the top tier of the Institute's safety awards, making it the safest-rated year in the lineup. There have been no safety recalls issued from NHTSA for the 2023 Arteon, and Volkswagen covers it with a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. If a 2023 with remaining factory warranty is in your budget, it is the strongest used Arteon you can buy.

Volkswagen Arteon pre-purchase checklist

Before handing over money for any used Arteon, go through these model-specific checks:

• Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall checker. Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm every open recall - especially the brake-booster (21V-695 on 2021 cars, the 2019 equivalent), rearview camera software updates, and TPMS recall 21V-274 - has been completed.
• Check the coolant level on 2019-2021 cars. A low coolant reservoir or a coolant warning light history is a red flag for the water pump defect. Ask for dealer records showing any cooling system work.
• Verify water pump / class-action status. Check the VIN to see if the car is part of the class-action settlement covering some 2019-2021 Arteons; if it is, confirm the pump has been replaced under that program.
• Test the rearview camera before you buy. On 2021 models, a black or frozen backup camera image on startup indicates the infotainment software recall may not have been performed.
• Test the driver-assist systems on any 2021. Drive on a clear road and confirm the Front Assist and Travel Assist are not throwing false warnings; persistent chimes at low miles indicate an unresolved sensor or steering-wheel issue.
• Ask for all service records. The Arteon costs about $6,529 for maintenance and repairs over its first 10 years, beating the sedan average by $564, but a car with no service history could have deferred work that quickly closes that gap.
• Inspect the rear wheel bearing area on early 2019 builds. Arteons built between August 21, 2017 and August 29, 2019 may have a rear wheel bearing housing that can fracture, producing abnormal rear noise and uneven tire wear. Listen carefully during the test drive and check for uneven rear tire wear.
• Confirm CPO warranty coverage if applicable. Volkswagen offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles seven years old or less and with fewer than 75,000 miles, and you receive the balance of the new-car warranty when you purchase a CPO model.

Better alternatives to consider

If the Volkswagen Arteon years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:

• Volkswagen CC - the Arteon's predecessor four-door coupe, useful if you want a similar look at a lower used price with its own best/worst year list
• Volkswagen Jetta - a smaller, more affordable VW sedan with a longer U.S. sales history and a larger pool of used-car data to guide year-by-year selection
• Volkswagen Taos - a compact crossover with comparable VW pricing and standard driver-assistance tech if you want the same brand with a more practical body style
• Audi A5 Sportback - shares the Arteon's fastback format and the EA888 platform, but with a more established CPO network and longer reliability data from Audi's slightly higher-volume sales
• Honda Accord - a mainstream alternative in the same price range with a consistently stronger long-term reliability record and more transparent model-year data