Volkswagen Passat problems by year
7,627 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 33 Volkswagen Passat model years. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Complaint totals are lifetime counts — years that have been on the road longer accumulate more reports.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most reported problem | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13 | 0 | — | |
| 2021 | 18 | 1 | — | |
| 2020 Fewer complaints | 18 | 3 | — | |
| 2019 | 12 | 1 | — | |
| 2018 | 45 | 4 | Service Brakes | |
| 2017 | 110 | 7 | Air Bags | |
| 2016 | 106 | 5 | Air Bags | |
| 2015 | 243 | 7 | Air Bags | |
| 2014 | 594 | 10 | Air Bags | |
| 2013 Most complained | 748 | 9 | Air Bags | |
| 2012 | 483 | 11 | Air Bags | |
| 2011 Fewer complaints | 16 | 0 | — | |
| 2010 | 163 | 4 | Air Bags | |
| 2009 | 146 | 4 | Engine | |
| 2008 | 168 | 4 | Fuel/propulsion System | |
| 2007 | 262 | 7 | Air Bags | |
| 2006 | 576 | 7 | Air Bags | |
| 2005 | 148 | 3 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2004 | 279 | 3 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2003 Most complained | 628 | 6 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 2002 Most complained | 636 | 3 | Electrical System | |
| 2001 | 430 | 3 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2000 | 507 | 3 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1999 Most complained | 664 | 3 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1998 | 331 | 1 | Suspension | |
| 1997 | 37 | 0 | Visibility | |
| 1996 | 40 | 1 | Electrical System | |
| 1995 | 93 | 0 | Visibility | |
| 1994 Fewer complaints | 25 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1993 | 68 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1992 | 39 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1991 Fewer complaints | 24 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1990 Fewer complaints | 34 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling |
How to read this. Complaints are unverified reports owners file with NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, counted once per case number. Raw totals are not adjusted for sales volume, and recent model years have had less time on the road. “Most complained” flags years well above the model’s median; treat it as a signal for deeper research, not a verdict. This page is not affiliated with Volkswagen.