Volkswagen Passat years to avoid and best years
Newer Volkswagen Passat years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2014 has the most complaints per year, at 74 (594 complaints). 2013 through 2014 are in that same range. From 2017 on, complaints per year fall. Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2020 at 1 (from 18 complaints), 2022 at 2 (from 13 complaints), and 2019 at 3 (from 12 complaints). On the 2014 Volkswagen Passat, 279 of 594 complaints name Air bags.
Data as of .
Volkswagen Passat reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Volkswagen Passat. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 → Fewest | 2 | 13 | 0 | Service brakes | 28 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 28 |
| 2020 → Fewest | 1 | 18 | 3 | Engine | 27 |
| 2019 → Fewest | 3 | 12 | 1 | Electrical system | 29 |
| 2018 → | 5 | 45 | 4 | Service brakes | 25.5 |
| 2017 → | 11 | 110 | 7 | Service brakes | 25 |
| 2016 → | 10 | 106 | 5 | Fuel and propulsion system | 26 |
| 2015 → | 19 | 243 | 7 | Air bags | 29.2 |
| 2014 → Most | 74 | 594 | 10 | Air bags | 27.3 |
| 2013 → | 41 | 748 | 9 | Air bags | 27 |
| 2012 → | 23 | 483 | 11 | Air bags | 27 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- VW 502.00 5W-30 or 5W-40 (engine dependent) · 4.8 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 235/45R18, 215/55R17, 215/60R16 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA safety recall 19V014000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298; Audi owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69S8 (Audi) and 69Y5 (Volkswagen).
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- VW 502.00/504.00 5W-30 or 0W-20 (engine dependent) · 4.8 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 215/55R17
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA safety recall 19V389000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.". Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Passat years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2020 at 1 (from 18 complaints), 2022 at 2 (from 13 complaints), and 2019 at 3 (from 12 complaints).
Which Volkswagen Passat year has the most owner complaints?
2014 has the most complaints per year, at 74 (594 complaints). 2013 through 2014 are in that same range. On the 2014 Volkswagen Passat, 279 of 594 complaints name Air bags.
How do Volkswagen Passat owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Volkswagen Passat years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. From 2017 on, complaints per year fall.
What engine oil does a Volkswagen Passat use?
VW 502.00 5W-30 or 5W-40 (engine dependent)
What does NHTSA recall 19V-014 cover on the Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA safety recall 19V014000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
What generation is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat?
B7 (NMS) (2012-2015).