Skip to content
Trimslate
SavedHelp

2012 Volkswagen

Passat

Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L

Volkswagen Passat: best and worst years
2012 Volkswagen Passat

Closest available photo (2010 model year); you're viewing the 2012.

2010 photoVauxfordCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Midsize CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Engine & performance

Cyl
5EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
31 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG City
22 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG Comb
25 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,500EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Smog score
5/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Real-world MPG
29.2 mpg, reported by 12 driversabout 4.2 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

Length
192 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
72 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
58 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
110 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
3,360 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Pass. Vol
102 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Cargo Vol
16 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
11
Owner complaints
481
Reported injuries
10
Theft rate
1.1 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Feature availability

Which features come standard, cost extra, or are locked to a pricier trim arrives with the next data phase. Standard equipment shows here today.

Standard

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • AIR BAGS45%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14%
  • STEERING7%
  • ENGINE6%
  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER5%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 656 total.

Volkswagen Passat: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • EA18003Openopened Apr 18, 2018AIR BAGS

    Air Bag Clockspring Failure

  • RQ17009opened Nov 13, 2017AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    Air Bag Clockspring Failure

  • PE15010opened Mar 24, 2015ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
4 yr / 50k mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50k mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36k mi
Maintenance
2 yr / 20k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

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.