Volkswagen

Passat 4motion

Midsize Cars · model years 2000 to 2008

Includes Passat 4motion and Passat Wagon 4motion as listed by the EPA.

See all 35 Passat 4motion trims All Volkswagen cars

The verdict

Best year: 2005. complaints: 148, below this model's typical 819; recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 2006. complaints: 576, about 4.2x this model's typical 137; recalls: 7, about 2.3x this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Volkswagen Passat 4motion
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
2000	2Gas	18	$4,300	3	507	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 27%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%
complaints: 507, about 1.9x this model's typical 273 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 complaints reporting a fire: 25 Score: 12 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	2Gas	18	$4,300	3	432	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 9%
complaints: 432, about 1.6x this model's typical 273 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 complaints reporting a fire: 15 Score: 37 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	4Gas	18.5	$4,175	3	643	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 7%
complaints: 643, above this model's typical 546 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 19 complaints reporting a fire: 46 Score: 16 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	6Gas	18	$4,300	6	631	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 17%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%, SEATS 12%
complaints: 631, below this model's typical 819 recalls: 6, about 2x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 47 complaints reporting a fire: 95 Score: 29 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	10Gas	19	$4,050	3	285	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%, POWER TRAIN 11%, SEATS 10%
complaints: 285, below this model's typical 1365 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 23 complaints reporting a fire: 25 Score: 65 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	6Gas	21	$3,650	3	148	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 29%, POWER TRAIN 8%, SEATS 8%
complaints: 148, below this model's typical 819 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 11 Score: 72 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	1Gas	19	$4,050	7	576	AIR BAGS 19%, STEERING 14%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 576, about 4.2x this model's typical 137 recalls: 7, about 2.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 complaints reporting a fire: 6 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2007	2Gas	19	$4,050	7	273	AIR BAGS 31%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 273, in line with this model's typical 273 recalls: 7, about 2.3x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 6 Score: 34 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	2Gas	19	$4,050	4	174	FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 19%, ENGINE 18%, AIR BAGS 13%
complaints: 174, below this model's typical 273 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 6 Score: 61 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2000: 18 to 2008: 19

Owner complaints2000: 507 to 2008: 174

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Volkswagen Passat 4motion 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.