Volkswagen Passat years to avoid
More than twice the Passat's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Volkswagen Passat years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Volkswagen Passat complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Volkswagen Passat problems
All model years combined.
- Airbags1,652
- Engine1,549
- Electrical1,163
- Fuel system986
- Brakes958
- Steering572
- Transmission477
- Visibility378
- Suspension368
- Lights307
- Acceleration242
- Body239
Most reported problems on the Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Passat problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 95 | 13 | Brakes | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2021 | 94 | 20 | Driver assistance | 27,232 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 94 | 18 | Engine | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2019 | 95 | 12 | Electrical | 3,500 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 86 | 46 | Brakes | 35,000 | 4 | 5 | Fewest complaints |
| 2017 | 77 | 110 | Airbags | 32,000 | 7 | 9 | Fewest complaints |
| 2016 | 80 | 106 | Airbags | 35,000 | 5 | 4 | Fewest complaints |
| 2015 | 57 | 243 | Airbags | 47,773 | 7 | 11 | |
| 2014 | 23 | 594 | Airbags | 49,292 | 10 | 19 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 15 | 749 | Airbags | 51,000 | 9 | 29 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 31 | 484 | Airbags | 59,200 | 11 | 14 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 85 | 16 | Engine | 93,000 | 0 | 3 | |
| 2010 | 74 | 163 | Airbags | 72,000 | 4 | 5 | |
| 2009 | 75 | 146 | Engine | 79,826 | 4 | 5 | |
| 2008 | 73 | 168 | Fuel system | 90,000 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 54 | 262 | Airbags | 72,000 | 7 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 26 | 576 | Airbags | 64,000 | 7 | 21 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 75 | 148 | Engine | 71,000 | 3 | 7 | |
| 2004 | 51 | 279 | Engine | 69,800 | 3 | 9 | |
| 2003 | 17 | 628 | Fuel system | 59,000 | 6 | 14 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 25 | 636 | Electrical | 49,000 | 3 | 10 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 40 | 430 | Engine | 60,000 | 3 | 14 | Avoid |
| 2000 | - | 507 | Brakes | 69,500 | 3 | 11 | |
| 1999 | - | 664 | Brakes | 75,000 | 5 | 11 | |
| 1998 | - | 331 | Brakes | 80,000 | 4 | 6 | |
| 1997 | - | 37 | Visibility | 100,600 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1996 | - | 40 | Electrical | 84,200 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1995 | - | 93 | Visibility | 130,853 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1994 | - | 25 | Engine | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1993 | - | 68 | Engine | 107,387 | 3 | 3 | |
| 1992 | - | 39 | Engine | 1 | 3 | ||
| 1991 | - | 24 | Engine | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1990 | - | 34 | Engine | 146,000 | 2 | 0 |
Recalls 54
Volkswagen Passat warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
- This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement
- Volkswagen has extended the Warranty coverage for the Evap Leak Detection Pump (LDP) to 15 years or...
- These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the...
Compare the Passat
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Questions about the Volkswagen Passat
What years of the Volkswagen Passat should you avoid?
2002, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Each has more than twice the Volkswagen Passat's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2013 alone has 749, mostly about airbags and engine.
What is the best year for a used Volkswagen Passat?
2018, 2016 and 2017 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (46, 106 and 110).
What is the most common problem with the Volkswagen Passat?
Airbags, with 1,652 complaints across all years, followed by engine (1,549) and electrical (1,163).
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Passat have?
54 recalls between 1990 and 2022. The 2012 model year has the most, with 11.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Volkswagen Passat?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history