Volkswagen Passat Best and Worst Years (2005–2022)
Volkswagen Passat years to avoid: 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Best years: 2011, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Based on 3,869 NHTSA owner complaints and 38 recall campaigns across 18 model years (2005–2022).
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2006Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Best 2011Best 2019Best 2020Best 2021Best 2022
- Model years
- 18
- 2005–2022
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,869
- Recall campaigns
- 38
- Crashes reported
- 142
- Fires reported
- 57
- Top problem area
- Airbags
Passat Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Volkswagen Passat problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 41 | 148 | 7 | 11 | 3 | Engine | 21.5 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 82 | 576 | 21 | 6 | 7 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 65 | 262 | 4 | 6 | 7 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 53 | 168 | 3 | 6 | 4 | Fuel System | 22 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 71 | 146 | 5 | 12 | 4 | Engine | 22.5 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 59 | 163 | 5 | 1 | 4 | Airbags | 25 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 12 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 88 | 483 | 14 | 3 | 11 | Airbags | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 748 | 29 | 4 | 9 | Airbags | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 94 | 594 | 19 | 3 | 10 | Airbags | 27 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 76 | 243 | 11 | 2 | 7 | Airbags | 28 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 35 | 106 | 4 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 26 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 47 | 110 | 9 | 1 | 7 | Airbags | 25 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 29 | 45 | 5 | 0 | 4 ! | Brakes | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 29 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 24 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 27 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 18 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Brakes | 28 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 6 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 28 | 4★ |
Passat years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Volkswagen Passat Index 100 · 748 complaints · 9 recalls
Owners filed 748 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, led by airbags (382), electrical system (139), and engine (116). NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 29 crashes and 4 fires.
2013 airbags problems →2013 electrical system problems →2013 engine problems →
2014 Volkswagen Passat Index 94 · 594 complaints · 10 recalls
Owners filed 594 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Volkswagen Passat, led by airbags (354), engine (92), and electrical system (82). NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 19 crashes and 3 fires.
2014 airbags problems →2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →
2012 Volkswagen Passat Index 88 · 483 complaints · 11 recalls
Owners filed 483 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, led by airbags (295), electrical system (107), and engine (54). NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 14 crashes and 3 fires.
2012 airbags problems →2012 electrical system problems →2012 engine problems →
2006 Volkswagen Passat Index 82 · 576 complaints · 7 recalls
Owners filed 576 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, led by engine (160), airbags (148), and steering (112). NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 21 crashes and 6 fires.
2006 engine problems →2006 airbags problems →2006 steering problems →
2015 Volkswagen Passat Index 76 · 243 complaints · 7 recalls
Owners filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Volkswagen Passat, led by airbags (88), engine (62), and electrical system (51). NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 11 crashes and 2 fires.
2015 airbags problems →2015 engine problems →2015 electrical system problems →
Most common Volkswagen Passat problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Airbags1,536 (40%)
- Engine847 (22%)
- Electrical System657 (17%)
- Fuel System523 (14%)
- Steering387 (10%)
- Other343 (9%)
- Brakes247 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain244 (6%)
- Structure & Body152 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires119 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Volkswagen Passat should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 Volkswagen Passat have the highest Complaint Index among 18 model years and are the years to avoid. The 2013 model year ranks worst with 748 complaints and 9 recalls.
- What is the best year for the Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2011, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Volkswagen Passat have the lowest Complaint Index of the years we track, with the 2019 at 12 complaints and 1 recalls. Complaint counts are adjusted for how long each model year has been on the road.
- What are the most common problems with the Volkswagen Passat?
- Across all model years, the most reported problem areas in NHTSA complaints are airbags (1,536, 40%), engine (847, 22%), and electrical system (657, 17%).
- How many recalls does the Volkswagen Passat have?
- NHTSA lists 38 distinct recall campaigns covering Volkswagen Passat model years 2005–2022. 1 model-year carries a “Do Not Drive” advisory. Recalls are repaired free of charge by dealers; check any specific vehicle by VIN before buying.