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Volkswagen Passat: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year
Of 27 model years of the Volkswagen Passat on record, 2018 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about electrical system). 2012 has the most recall campaigns (11). 2001 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (7).
How to read this
Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury | Most reported | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2022 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 28 MPG |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 28 MPG |
| 2020 | 3 | 18 | 1 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 27 MPG |
| 2019 | 1 | 12 | 0 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 MPG |
| 2018 | 4 | 40 | 5 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 MPG |
| 2017 | 7 | 40 | 4 | AIR BAGS | 27 MPG |
| 2016 | 5 | 40 | 0 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29 MPG |
| 2015 | 7 | 40 | 3 | ENGINE | 28 MPG |
| 2014 | 10 | 40 | 1 | AIR BAGS | 28 MPG |
| 2013 | 9 | 40 | 0 | AIR BAGS | 25 MPG |
| 2012 | 11 | 40 | 1 | AIR BAGS | 25 MPG |
| 2011 | 0 | 15 | 2 | ENGINE | — |
| 2010 | 4 | 40 | 3 | ENGINE | 25 MPG |
| 2009 | 4 | 40 | 2 | ENGINE | 23 MPG |
| 2008 | 4 | 40 | 1 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 24 MPG |
| 2007 | 7 | 40 | 2 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 24 MPG |
| 2006 | 7 | 40 | 4 | AIR BAGS | 22 MPG |
| 2005 | 4 | 40 | 4 | ENGINE | 21 MPG |
| 2004 | 4 | 40 | 4 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 21 MPG |
| 2003 | 7 | 40 | 5 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 19 MPG |
| 2002 | 4 | 40 | 3 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 19 MPG |
| 2001 | 4 | 40 | 7 | SERVICE BRAKES | 18 MPG |
| 2000 | 5 | 40 | 6 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18 MPG |
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.
All years of the Volkswagen PassatQuestions
- Which Volkswagen Passat year has the most complaints?
- Of 27 model years of the Volkswagen Passat on record, 2018 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about electrical system).
- Which Volkswagen Passat year has the most recalls?
- 2012 has the most recall campaigns (11).
- Which Volkswagen Passat years have no complaints or recalls on record?
- 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023. That can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, not only a better one.
- How is this comparison made?
- We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.