VolkswagenArteon2021Overview/volkswagen/arteon/2021/base/

2021 Volkswagen Arteon

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

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon runs a drivetrain serviced with 6.0 quarts of 0W-30 oil and routed through an eight-speed automatic (S8) transmission, with EPA fuel economy ratings of 22/32/25 mpg. In the model's 20192023 complaint history, the 2021 edition logged 14 owner complaints—above both the 2020 low of two and the 2023 figure of 13 that the range records as its peak—while tires surfaced as the top complaint area and four recalls were issued. That pattern places the 2021 Arteon in the earlier phase of a still-young model run, so a verified maintenance and recall history matters more than the complaint count alone when judging expected reliability.

Model year202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/32/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI PR-J0B: Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. A scan tool must be used to register battery and reset computer after installation. Volkswagen uses many different batteries, carefully size to fit with the PR Codes denote factory installed options: 49; PR-J2D: Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. A scan tool must be used to register battery and reset computer after installation. Volkswagen uses many different batteries, carefully size to fit with the PR Codes denote factory installed options: 48; A scan tool must be used to register battery and reset computer after installation. Volkswagen uses many different batteries, carefully size to fit with the PR Codes denote factory installed options: PR-J0N: 47, PR-J1D: 48, PR-J2S: 140R; A scan tool must be used to register battery and reset computer after installation. Volkswagen uses many different batteries, carefully size to fit. EFB Battery is required: PR-J0S: 47, PR-J0T: 48; A scan tool must be used to register battery and reset computer after installation. Volkswagen uses many different batteries, carefully size to fit with the PR Codes denote factory installed options. EHB is required: PR-J0V: 48 · All Listed are O.E AmpHrs: PR-J0B: 92, PR-J0N: 61, PR-J0S: 59, PR-J0T: 69, PR-J0V: 70, PR-J1D: 72, PR-J2D: 68, PR-J2S: 51 CCA 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 PR-J0B: Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. A scan tool must be used to register battery and reset computer after installation. Volkswagen uses many different batteries, carefully size to fit with the PR Codes denote factory installed options: 49; PR-J2D: Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. A scan tool must be used to register battery and reset computer after installation. Volkswagen uses many different batteries, carefully size to fit with the PR Codes denote factory installed options: 48; A scan tool must be used to register battery and reset computer after installation. Volkswagen uses many different batteries, carefully size to fit with the PR Codes denote factory installed options: PR-J0N: 47, PR-J1D: 48, PR-J2S: 140R; A scan tool must be used to register battery and reset computer after installation. Volkswagen uses many different batteries, carefully size to fit. EFB Battery is required: PR-J0S: 47, PR-J0T: 48; A scan tool must be used to register battery and reset computer after installation. Volkswagen uses many different batteries, carefully size to fit with the PR Codes denote factory installed options. EHB is required: PR-J0V: 48 · All Listed are O.E AmpHrs: PR-J0B: 92, PR-J0N: 61, PR-J0S: 59, PR-J0T: 69, PR-J0V: 70, PR-J1D: 72, PR-J2D: 68, PR-J2S: 51 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size245/45R18 96HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06L115562B
Engine air filter5Q0129620B
Spark plug06K905601L
Battery000915089F alt 000915089BC
Front wiper blades3G8998002D
Serpentine belt06L903137A
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3618 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 32 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume27 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

6.1–6.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2021 SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.60 sec268 hpAWD
2021SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec14.70 sec268 hpAWD
2022SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-44.60 sec13.30 sec300 hpAWD
2022SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-45.00 sec13.60 sec300 hpAWD
2019SE 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec268 hpAWD
2019SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec268 hpAWD
2019SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.60 sec268 hpAWD

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-30 engine oil, Audi/VW P/N G 052 145 A1, A2 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAudi P/N G 055 540 A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.39 Ats.
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilAudi/VW P/N G 052 145 A1, A2
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.05 qt
Engine CoolantVolkswagen Coolant G13 TL-VW-774J
Engine Coolant Capacity10.6 qt
Engine Oil0W-30

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: 11.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugUse a new fill plug: 11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.96-1.02 lbs

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumUse diagnostic tester: 58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumUse diagnostic tester: 101.0 psi
Residual Pressure43.5 minimum after 10 minutes. psi

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

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.

The federal record shows complaints fell from 7 in 2019 to 2 in 2020, then rose to 13 in 2023, while recalls were present in 2019 and 2023 but absent in 2020. Positioned between the low‑complaint 2020 year and the higher‑complaint 2023 year, the 2021 Arteon lacks explicit complaint and recall totals in the provided data, but its year‑specific summaries reveal three tire‑related complaints, two each for forward‑collision avoidance with lane departure and forward‑collision avoidance alone, and one electrical‑system/vehicle‑speed‑control complaint, along with a single crash complaint and a single fire complaint. The data does not specify the root causes of these issues. Given the moderate complaint profile and the absence of widespread recall activity for 2021, the model appears reasonable to purchase provided a pre‑buy inspection focuses on tires, forward‑collision‑avoidance systems, and electrical/speed‑control components.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
390
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires3
Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure2
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control1
Air Bags,Engine1
Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure1
Electrical System1
Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 390 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
Customer email_91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherYour vehicle is currently eligible for the 91UB software update designed to:
Dealer 91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherThis OTA update addresses a potential issue with special characters being broadcast over…
V6919012010479_172026-06-11Air BagsInquiries

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 Arteon. 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 Arteon take?

6.0 qt of 0W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Arteon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Arteon get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 32 highway / 25 combined mpg.