Volkswagen Passat Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Volkswagen Passat model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2019 drew the fewest (12) and the 2013 the most (748).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
12 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 29 |
| 2022 | 13 | 0 | Electrical system | 4★ | 28 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
16 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
18 | 3 | Air bags | 5★ | 27 |
| 2021 | 18 | 1 | Lane departure | 5★ | 28 |
| 2018 | 45 | 4 | Service brakes | 5★ | 22–29 |
| 2016 | 106 | 5 | Air bags | 5★ | 23–29 |
| 2017 | 110 | 7 | Air bags | 5★ | 23–27 |
| 2005 | 148 | 3 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 19–27 |
| 2009 | 152 | 4 | Engine | — | 22–23 |
| 2010 | 172 | 4 | Air bags | — | 25 |
| 2008 | 174 | 4 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 19–24 |
| 2015 | 243 | 7 | Air bags | 5★ | 23–34 |
| 2007 | 273 | 7 | Air bags | — | 19–24 |
| 2004 | 285 | 3 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18–27 |
| 2012 | 484 | 11 | Air bags | 5★ | 23–34 |
| 2006 | 576 | 7 | Air bags | — | 19–24 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
594 | 10 | Air bags | 5★ | 23–34 |
| 2003 Among the most complaints |
631 | 6 | Fuel system | — | 18–23 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
748 | 9 | Air bags | 5★ | 23–34 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Volkswagen Passat years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Volkswagen Passat: 748 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 382 (51%); Engine 104 (14%); Electrical system 93 (12%).
Reports mention 29 crashes, 4 fires, 24 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 51,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
2003 Volkswagen Passat: 631 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 146 (23%); Engine and engine cooling 131 (21%); Seats 98 (16%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 95 fires, 47 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 59,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Volkswagen Passat: 594 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 354 (60%); Engine 77 (13%); Electrical system 74 (12%).
Reports mention 19 crashes, 3 fires, 15 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 49,292 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
The Volkswagen Passat years with the fewest complaints
2019 Volkswagen Passat: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 4 (33%); Service brakes 3 (25%); Engine 2 (17%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 3,500 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2011 Volkswagen Passat: 16 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 6 (38%); Air bags 5 (31%); Electrical system 4 (25%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 93,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Volkswagen Passat: 18 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 4 (22%); Engine 4 (22%); Electrical system 3 (17%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Volkswagen Passat owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3,500 |
| 2018 | 45 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2017 | 110 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 32,000 |
| 2016 | 106 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2015 | 243 | 11 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 47,773 |
| 2014 | 594 | 19 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 49,292 |
| 2013 | 748 | 29 | 4 | 24 | 2 | 51,000 |
| 2012 | 484 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 59,200 |
| 2011 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 93,000 |
| 2010 | 172 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 72,000 |
| 2009 | 152 | 5 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 79,826 |
| 2008 | 174 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 90,000 |
| 2007 | 273 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 72,000 |
| 2006 | 576 | 21 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 2005 | 148 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 71,000 |
| 2004 | 285 | 9 | 25 | 23 | 0 | 69,800 |
| 2003 | 631 | 14 | 95 | 47 | 0 | 59,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Volkswagen Passat recalls
- MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES (2003–2005 model years; 1,002,000 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2007; 07V063000)
- Headlights can be Adjusted/FMVSS 108 (2012–2020 model years; 662,185 vehicles across all models; filed May 2019; 19V389000)
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2007–2014 model years; 659,493 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2016; 16V078000)
- VW/FILLER NECK/TIRE ABRASION (1998–2003 model years; 487,284 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2002; 02V026000)
- Air Bag Clock Spring may Fail (2010–2014 model years; 415,825 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2015; 15V483000)
All 54 Volkswagen Passat recall campaigns · Volkswagen Passat problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Volkswagen Passat years FAQ
Which Volkswagen Passat year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2019 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (12). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Volkswagen Passat years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2003 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Volkswagen Passat problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (1,577 of 4,818 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA lists 54 recall campaigns covering the Volkswagen Passat. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Volkswagen Passat recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.