Volkswagen Passat Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Volkswagen Passat options? We analyzed 10 model years (2013–2022) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Volkswagen Passat has 1,889 owner complaints and 47 safety recalls across model years 2013–2022. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2013 drew the most complaints; 2019 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Volkswagen
- Model
- Passat
- Model years analyzed
- 2013–2022 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,889
- Safety recall campaigns
- 47
- Crash-related complaints
- 79
- Fire-related complaints
- 10
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2013 (748 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2019 (12 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Volkswagen Passat: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 1,889 NHTSA complaints and 47 recalls on record. 79 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,889 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 47 federal recall campaigns
- 79 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
47 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2013–2022. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,889 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,889 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
my 2020 vw passat has less than 60k mikes and i am replacing my 3rd wheel sensor. they fail without warning disabling my antilock brakes. And other safety features
The front information center which is responsible for the rear camera system is shutdown due to the radio / entire screen being dead without reason
While driving and after, we noticed gas fumes both inside and outside of vehicle. The gas tank was approximately half full. Became very concerned over the the possibility of a fire. Did research online and realized that this was and is a common problem with older models of the Passad (ours is a 2020 model that we bought new and had zero accidents) plus Jetta and Golf models. We took it to a VW Dealer (Ken Graff VW Gilbert, AZ ) nearest our home for fear of a fire hazard and safety. They repaired it stating that the gas tank had various creaks neasr the top of the tank which allowed fumes to be released. My cost to repair was approximately $1,100 which for a vehicle with some 62,000 miles and no accidents seems to be concerning. The service advisor stated not covered under warranty or not under a recall notice. Thjs is plainly wrong and is certainly a fire hazard. Thank you for looking into this important issue.
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 2.0L VIN: [XXX] Complaint Summary: I am reporting a persistent and unresolved fault involving the secondary air injection system (DTC P0491 – insufficient airflow) that has resulted in repeated, conflicting diagnoses across multiple repair facilities. This raises concerns about a potential systemic defect affecting this vehicle model. Detailed Description: The issue began prior to March 2025 while the vehicle was still under warranty. The vehicle displayed a Check Engine Light associated with diagnostic trouble code P0491 (secondary air injection system insufficient airflow). On April 3, 2025, a repair facility diagnosed the issue as a failed secondary air injection pump and replaced the component. However, the Check Engine Light returned within 24 hours with the exact same fault code, indicating that the repair did not resolve the issue. A second independent diagnostic evaluation was performed later in April 2025. This inspection confirmed that: The secondary air injection pump was functioning correctly Airflow through the system was present Electrical controls and PCM commands were operating properly The fault was attributed instead to a mechanically stuck secondary air injection combination valve Despite this revised diagnosis, the issue has remained unresolved. As of 2026, a dealership evaluation has now attributed the same fault condition to a potential failure within the cylinder head assembly, indicating a significantly more serious underlying condition. Safety Concern: This issue involves the emissions and engine air management system and has resulted in: Persistent Check Engine Light Repeated failure of emissions-related components Conflicting and escalating repair diagnoses across multiple qualified service providers I am requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this issue for potential investigation into a systemic defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering wheel controls stopped working, no horn either. Probably no airbag but haven't got into an accident. There was recall on the same part for the until 2018, but the new part I was going to install lists that if fits cars 2016-2022 Part # 5K0-953-569-BC Recall from VW. Number: VWP-18-11, Will replace part for my fiance,
Error message alerted to maintenance needed and the air bag light has turned on and remained on. Also said message that front assist inls unavailable.
Read 14 more owner reports
Oil pressure sensor fails. Causing high oil pressure. Causing the valve cover to be destroyed and the oil pan to leak. Draining the car oil.
VIN: [XXX] Dealership: Vanguard Volkswagen 6900 Burnet Rd Austin, TX 78757 I bought 2020 Passat back in Aug 2020 with CarNet included. It was showing that CarNet will be installed later when available at no cost. So in 2021 they installed carnet and everything was working fine up until 2024. The light turned off and no connection to the car. I called CarNet and they told me that most likely an issue with HW module and suggested to take to the dealer to get reset/replaced. Went to the dealer few days ago. Left them a car for 3 days for diag. No fault codes. So dealer sent a ticket to the Volkswagen to see how to proceed. I got a call from dealership today that Volkswagen responded to them that 2020 Passat is no longer eligible for the CarNet. Excuse me? At the time of sale CarNet was included. It was working fine no issues. And now Volkswagen taking car feature away that it came with and I paid for.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Bought car from dealer. Vw Manhattan. 42000miles. 8 months later at 53000 miles. Engine problems. Went to Vw service. Head gasket. Lemon car. Warranty till 50000 miles. Cost? 4800$ Worse car possible.
Our vehicle will not speed up after accelerating but you can hear the engine making noise like it’s trying to speed up. We have taken our vehicle 3-4 times back to the dealership and they have told us they found nothing.
Car wasn’t pulling up the road the epc light came on had to have my vehicle rolled to the next dealer which was 36 miles from where I was. I was traveling from grapevine tx and it start acting up in Huntsville tx. Came out of pocket 1085.00 and that was with a discount for the fuel injector #3 My warranty expired 3000 miles ago. I am the first owner on my vehicle.
My clock spring isn’t working after having my vehicle for barely a year. My air bag light is currently on. I can’t use my horn nor use any of the controls on my steering wheel. I’ve paid already 800 plus on previous car issues such as my harness hose. I’m still awaiting reimbursement. Further review and assistance needed.
The contact owns a 2020 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The contact stated that the vehicle started independently, and the Driver Assist function engaged independently. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was swerving unintendedly and would vibrate while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the dealer informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The dealer later replaced the brake rotors; however, the failure persisted. The electronic power control (EPC), the Adaptive Cruise Control and low oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the message "Front Assist Error" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake caliper was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the thermostat as the message "Coolant Error" was displayed on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
HELLO MY DOUGHTER HAD A ACCIDENT CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS AND AIR BAGS DID NOT POP UP AND SEAT BELT WAS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH
The Volkswagen Front Assist (sometimes referred to as Forward Collision Warning) system employed without having anything/anyone in front of the vehicle - no traffic in front, behind or on the side and the brakes engaged the brought the car to a complete stop in the street. This has been reported to Volkswagen and we have been told that their engineers are working on this issue but the vehicle is safe to drive. The day was a clear day. Date is approximate - I don't have my phone on me with the photo.
THE BREAKS IS VERY WEAK I WAS GOING TO HIT THE CAR AT THE FRONT OF ME WITH 1 INCH ! IT TOOK THE CAR LIKE 4 SECONDS TO STOP NOT SURE WAS IT JUST THE BREAKS OR THE BREAKS AND TIRES , THE CAR KEPT MOVING AFTER PRESSING THE BREAKS HARD ENOUGH , I WAS SHAKING SINCE I JUST GOT THE CAR 4 DAYS AGO !
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SOUTH SHORE IN RANDOLPH MA STOUGHTON EXITS AND I HEARD A POP IN MY DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE AND WHEN I PULLED OVER I CHECKED MY TIRE AND MY TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND THERE WAS A HOLE APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A HAND GUN BULLET HOLE IN MY RIM. I WAS GOING A LITTLE UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT DUE TO HAVING A 3 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE IN THE FAR RIGHT SLOW LANE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I WENT TO GET THE TIRE INSPECTED IT WAS CONFIRMED THERE WAS A HUGE PIECE OF GLASS IN MY TIRE.
PARK ASSIST NOT AVAILBLE. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON LEFT OR RIGHT TURN
Brake issues that consist of brakes not engaging immediately as I press the brake pedal. Brake pedal also doesn't return as fast as my foot lets off of it. It could be inspected upon request. If the brakes dont engage immediately then there is a potential for an accident if I need to brake at a moments notice. Yes the problem has been confirmed. No it hasn't been inspected. No there isn't a warning.
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and then lost motive power. The contact pushed the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the fuel injector. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Showing 20 of 1,889 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Volkswagen Passat
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Volkswagen Passat, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Volkswagen Passat has 1,889 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Volkswagen Passat has 47 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 79 of the Volkswagen Passat's 1,889 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Volkswagen Passat vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Volkswagen Passat vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Volkswagen Passat has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Volkswagen Passat by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Volkswagen Passat.
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Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Volkswagen Passat reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Poor. The Volkswagen Passat has 1,889 NHTSA owner complaints and 47 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Volkswagen Passat years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2013 (748 complaints), 2014 (594 complaints), 2015 (243 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Volkswagen Passat problems?
Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (886 complaints); ENGINE (278 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (275 complaints).
Does the Volkswagen Passat have recalls?
Yes — 47 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Volkswagen Passat. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.