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2015 Volkswagen Passat: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat, most recently filed December 2019. Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 7campaigns 2 air bag · 2 brake · 1 lighting Source: NHTSA Complaints 243filed Owner reports, 2011–2020 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 34mpg combined $1,921/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2 L 4-cyl· 6-speed manual 5 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (7)

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V862000 Filed Dec 4, 2019

Driver Side Air Bag Inflator May Explode

Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
65% repairedof 226 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V862000
Listed for 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V389000 Filed May 22, 2019

Headlights can be Adjusted/FMVSS 108

Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence
Without the blocking cap, the headlight aim can be adjusted out of specification, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94L9.
68.8% repairedof 662,185 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V389000
Listed for 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V014000 Filed Jan 11, 2019

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298; Audi owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69S8 (Audi) and 69Y5 (Volkswagen).
81.9% repairedof 119,394 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V014000
Listed for 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V705000 Filed Oct 26, 2015

Loss of Power Brakes due to Camshaft Lobe Fracture

Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.
Consequence
If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen dealer will update the engine control module (ECM) software. The recall began March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.
92.9% repairedof 91,867 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V705000
Listed for 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V373000 Filed Jun 15, 2015

Left Rear Brake Line may be Loose

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Passat vehicles manufactured May 18, 2015, to May 21, 2015. The affected vehicles have a brake line at the left rear wheel area that may not have been properly tightened.
Consequence
If the brake line was not properly tightened, it may leak brake fluid, causing a reduction in braking performance, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the brake line fitting, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47M3.
100% repairedof 62 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V373000
Listed for 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V028000 Filed Jan 23, 2015

Fuel Leaking Into Engine Compartment

Fuel system, gasoline · fuel injection system · fuel rail
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Consequence
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.
94.3% repairedof 44,658 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V028000
Listed for 2015 Volkswagen Passat. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V670000 Filed Oct 24, 2014

Possible Movement of Seatback

Seats
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Passat vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with manual front seatback recliners. In the affected vehicles, the seatback recliner retaining bracket may not engage correctly, resulting in unexpected movement of the seatback.
Consequence
Unexpected movement of the driver's seatback may distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the assembly of the seatback recliner retaining bracket, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72F1.
97% repairedof 393 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V670000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Passat years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Volkswagen PassatAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (243)

243 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

11involved a crash
2involved a fire
14injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 243.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2015 compares with other Passat years

Best and worst Passat years →
16 484 748 594 243 106 110 45 12 18
2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
This year (2015)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 10.7%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2015 Volkswagen Passat 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 34 mpg combined

34
mpg combined
30
city
42
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,800
CO₂ tailpipe
299 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$1,921per year
$160per month
441gallons a year

Miles ÷ 34 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2015 Volkswagen Passat configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive30 / 42 / 34$2,800299
2 L 4-cyl · AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive29 / 40 / 33$2,900305
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 28$2,400318
1.8 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 35 / 28$2,400315
3.6 L 6-cyl · AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23$3,550390

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2015 Passat for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Passat years

Where to next

Which Passat years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2016 Volkswagen Passat report106 complaints · 5 campaigns →2014 Volkswagen Passat report594 complaints · 10 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2015 Volkswagen Passat FAQ

How many recalls does the 2015 Volkswagen Passat have?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns: 19V862000 (air bag), 19V389000 (lighting), 19V014000 (air bag), 15V705000 (brake), 15V373000 (brake), 15V028000 (fuel system), 14V670000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2015 Volkswagen Passat problems?

Owners filed 243 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (88), Engine (53), Electrical system (48) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2015 Volkswagen Passat get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 30 city, 42 highway and 34 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2015 Volkswagen Passat get?

NHTSA rated the 2015 Volkswagen Passat 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.7% rollover risk).

How does the 2015 Passat compare with other years?

Among the 2011–2020 Volkswagen Passat model years at least five years old, the 2019 drew the fewest complaints (12) and the 2013 the most (748). The 2015 drew 243. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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