Volkswagen Passat years to avoid (and the best years)
2,550 NHTSA owner complaints and 27 recalls across 12 model years, 2010 to 2022. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 2,550complaints
- 27recalls
- 100reported crashes
- 15reported fires
- 75reported injuries
- 2reported deaths
Which Volkswagen Passat years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Volkswagen Passat years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2012 and 2015. The typical Volkswagen Passat year has 108 complaints on file.
- 2013: 748 complaints, 6.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (51% of complaints) and the engine (15% of complaints).
- 2014: 594 complaints, 5.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (60% of complaints) and the engine (13% of complaints).
- 2012: 483 complaints, 4.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (61% of complaints) and the electrical system (20% of complaints).
- 2015: 243 complaints, 2.2 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (36% of complaints) and the engine (22% of complaints).
What are the best Volkswagen Passat years?
The Volkswagen Passat years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2019 (12), 2022 (13) and 2011 (15). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13 | 0.1× | 0 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 18 | 0.2× | 3 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 12 | 0.1× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2018 | 45 | 0.4× | 4 | 5 | 2 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2017 | 110 | 1.0× | 7 | 9 | 3 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2016 | 106 | 1.0× | 5 | 4 | 3 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2015 | 243 | 2.2× | 7 | 11 | 14 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2014 | 594 | 5.5× | 10 | 19 | 15 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2013 | 748 | 6.9× | 9 | 29 | 24 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2012 | 483 | 4.5× | 11 | 14 | 10 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2011 | 15 | 0.1× | 0 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 163 | 1.5× | 4 | 5 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 230 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain111 (48%)
- Airbags & seat belts46 (20%)
- Other systems24 (10%)
- Steering, suspension & tires20 (9%)
- Electrical & infotainment14 (6%)
Recalls (27)
Airbags · 24V834000 · Oct 2024 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 21V321000 · May 2021 · model years 2016, 2017
Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Safety · 20V561000 · Sep 2020 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Airbags · 20V533000 · Sep 2020 · model year 2020
An incorrectly folded air bag can deploy with too much force, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 19V862000 · Dec 2019 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 19V679000 · Sep 2019 · model year 2017
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Exterior lighting · 19V389000 · May 2019 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V218000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2020
In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 19V014000 · Jan 2019 · model year 2015
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.
Brakes · 18V536000 · Aug 2018 · model years 2017, 2018
The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 18V369000 · Jun 2018 · model year 2018
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V329000 · May 2018 · model year 2012
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Airbags · 18V148000 · Mar 2018 · model years 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014
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.
Fuel system · 17V509000 · Aug 2017 · model year 2010
If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 17V309000 · May 2017 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
Brakes · 17V075000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2017
A low brake fluid level may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 16V403000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2016
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Electrical system · 16V171000 · Mar 2016 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 16V078000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Engine · 15V705000 · Oct 2015 · model years 2015, 2016
If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 15V483000 · Aug 2015 · model years 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Brakes · 15V373000 · Jun 2015 · model year 2015
If the brake line was not properly tightened, it may leak brake fluid, causing a reduction in braking performance, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of crash.
Fuel system · 15V028000 · Jan 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Safety · 14V670000 · Oct 2014 · model year 2015
Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 14V182000 · Apr 2014 · model year 2014
The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.
Exterior lighting · 14V125000 · Mar 2014 · model years 2012, 2013
A loss of low beam headlights may reduce the driver's visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 12V146000 · Apr 2012 · model year 2012
OVER TIME, OR AFTER CERTAIN DRIVING DISTANCES, THESE VEHICLES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.