Volkswagen

Passat

Midsize Cars · model years 2010 to 2022

Includes Passat and Passat Wagon as listed by the EPA.

See all 31 Passat trims All Volkswagen cars

The verdict

Best year: 2022. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 35; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 5.

Worst year: 2012. complaints: 481, about 3.4x this model's typical 142; recalls: 11, about 2.2x this model's typical 5.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Volkswagen Passat
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2010	2Gas	25	no data	$3,100	0	0	3 (1 open)	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 71 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 5 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 87 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.3 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	4Diesel, Gas	25.5	210	$2,450	11	481	3 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 45%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, STEERING 7%
complaints: 481, about 3.4x this model's typical 142 recalls: 11, about 2.2x this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.1 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	4Diesel, Gas	25.5	no data	$2,450	9	747	3 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 37%, ENGINE 10%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 747, about 5.3x this model's typical 142 recalls: 9, about 1.8x this model's typical 5 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 24 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.4 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	6Diesel, Gas	27	170	$2,350	10	590	3 (1 open)	AIR BAGS 45%, ENGINE 10%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 590, about 2.8x this model's typical 213 recalls: 10, about 2x this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 14 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	5Diesel, Gas	28	170	$2,300	7	242	0	AIR BAGS 23%, ENGINE 14%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 242, above this model's typical 177 recalls: 7, above this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 14 Score: 41 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	2Gas	26	170	$2,425	5	106	0	AIR BAGS 14%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%, STEERING 11%
complaints: 106, above this model's typical 71 recalls: 5, in line with this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 52 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	2Gas	25	170	$2,500	7	107	0	AIR BAGS 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 107, about 1.5x this model's typical 71 recalls: 7, above this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	2Gas	25.5	174	$2,500	4	45	0	SERVICE BRAKES 19%, ENGINE 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%
complaints: 45, below this model's typical 71 recalls: 4, below this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 NHTSA advised parking the 2018 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 51 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	1Gas	29	174	$2,150	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 35 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 5 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	1Gas	27	174	$2,300	3	15	0	AIR BAGS 17%, ENGINE 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17%
complaints: 15, below this model's typical 35 recalls: 3, below this model's typical 5 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 82 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	1Gas	28	174	$2,200	1	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 35 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 5 Score: 93 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	1Gas	28	174	$2,200	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 35 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 5 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2010: 25 to 2022: 28

Owner complaints2010: 0 to 2022: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Volkswagen Passat to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.