Is the Volkswagen Passat Reliable?
2006–2019 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Volkswagen Passat? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Volkswagen Passat Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 9 | — | — | 86 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 3 | 20 | — | — | 65 | Good |
| 2017 | 5 | 89 | 6 | — | 42 | Poor |
| 2016 | 3 | 98 | — | — | 55 | Fair |
| 2015 | 6 | 179 | 13 | — | 34 | Poor |
| 2014 | 8 | 414 | 16 | — | 22 | Poor |
| 2013 | 8 | 516 | 20 | — | 20 | Poor |
| 2012 | 10 | 337 | 5 | — | 18 | Poor |
| 2011 | 0 | 13 | — | — | 87 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 3 | 104 | — | — | 55 | Fair |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Passat Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Passat scores 24 points below the average sedan. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.
Known Volkswagen Passat Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 1779 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Volkswagen Passat reliable?+
The Volkswagen Passat scores 48/100 on our reliability index — rated "Fair." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 47 recall campaigns and 1779 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year Passat is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2011 Passat achieved the highest reliability score of 87/100 with 0 recalls and 13 complaints.
How many miles does a Passat last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Volkswagen Passat owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Passat will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Volkswagen Passat Research
Check a Specific Volkswagen Passat VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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