Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Volkswagen Passat, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2013 Volkswagen Passat - 608 complaints in its first 8 years (748 to date)
- 1999 Volkswagen Passat - 570 complaints in its first 8 years (664 to date)
- 2002 Volkswagen Passat - 551 complaints in its first 8 years (636 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 1997 Volkswagen Passat - 27 complaints in its first 8 years (37 to date)
- 1992 Volkswagen Passat - 34 complaints in its first 8 years (39 to date)
- 2018 Volkswagen Passat - 46 complaints in its first 8 years (46 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Volkswagen Passat | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 2021 Volkswagen Passat | 18 | 18 | 1 |
| 2020 Volkswagen Passat | 18 | 18 | 3 |
| 2019 Volkswagen Passat | 12 | 12 | 1 |
| 2018 Volkswagen Passat | 46 | 46 | 4 |
| 2017 Volkswagen Passat | 110 | 106 | 7 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Passat | 106 | 93 | 5 |
| 2015 Volkswagen Passat | 243 | 217 | 7 |
| 2014 Volkswagen Passat | 594 | 511 | 10 |
| 2013 Volkswagen Passat | 748 | 608 | 9 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Passat | 484 | 419 | 11 |
| 2011 Volkswagen Passat | 16 | 9 | 0 |
| 2010 Volkswagen Passat | 163 | 121 | 4 |
| 2009 Volkswagen Passat | 146 | 82 | 4 |
| 2008 Volkswagen Passat | 168 | 76 | 4 |
| 2007 Volkswagen Passat | 262 | 118 | 7 |
| 2006 Volkswagen Passat | 576 | 342 | 7 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Passat | 148 | 120 | 3 |
| 2004 Volkswagen Passat | 279 | 213 | 3 |
| 2003 Volkswagen Passat | 628 | 534 | 6 |
| 2002 Volkswagen Passat | 636 | 551 | 3 |
| 2001 Volkswagen Passat | 430 | 379 | 3 |
| 2000 Volkswagen Passat | 507 | 435 | 3 |
| 1999 Volkswagen Passat | 664 | 570 | 5 |
| 1998 Volkswagen Passat | 331 | 303 | 4 |
| 1997 Volkswagen Passat | 37 | 27 | 0 |
| 1996 Volkswagen Passat | 40 | 20 | 1 |
| 1995 Volkswagen Passat | 93 | 73 | 1 |
| 1994 Volkswagen Passat | 25 | 22 | 1 |
| 1993 Volkswagen Passat | 68 | 51 | 3 |
| 1992 Volkswagen Passat | 39 | 34 | 1 |
| 1991 Volkswagen Passat | 24 | 17 | 1 |
| 1990 Volkswagen Passat | 34 | 19 | 2 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V834000 | 2006-2017 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. |
| 21V812000 | 2021 | Wheels | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and Passat vehicles. |
| 21V321000 | 2016-2017 | Unknown Or Other | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas... |
| 20V561000 | 2016-2018 | Unknown Or Other | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. |
| 20V533000 | 2020 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Passat vehicles. |
| 19V862000 | 2012-2015 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously... |
| 19V679000 | 2017 | Unknown Or Other | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta... |
| 19V389000 | 2012-2020 | Exterior Lighting | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. |
| 19V218000 | 2020 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. |
| 19V014000 | 2015 | Air Bags | 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... |
| 18V536000 | 2017-2018 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. |
| 18V406000 | 2003 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis... |
| 18V369000DO NOT DRIVE | 2018 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5... |
| 18V329000 | 2012 | Unknown Or Other | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and... |
| 18V247000 | 2006-2007 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2007 Volkswagen Passat sedan and wagon vehicles. |
| 18V148000 | 2007-2014 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat... |
| 17V509000 | 2006-2010 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. |
| 17V309000 | 2012-2014 | Power Train | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). |
| 17V075000 | 2017 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Passat vehicles. |
| 16V403000 | 2016 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles,... |
| 16V171000 | 2012-2014 | Electrical System | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. |
| 16V079000 | 2006 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet... |
| 16V078000 | 2007-2014 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC,... |
| 15V705000 | 2015-2016 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. |
| 15V483000 | 2010-2014 | Air Bags | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and... |
| 15V373000 | 2015 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015. |
| 15V028000 | 2014-2015 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat... |
| 14V670000 | 2015 | Seats | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and... |
| 14V182000 | 2014 | Power Train | Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque... |
| 14V125000 | 2012-2013 | Exterior Lighting | Volkswagen Group of America (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Passat vehicles manufactured January 2011 through November 2012. |