Volkswagen Passat Best and Worst Years (2005–2022)
Volkswagen Passat model years 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 rank worst, led by 2013 with a complaint index of 100 and 748 complaints. Best years are 2011, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, each with low complaint counts and complaint indexes under 25.
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 | Caution | 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
The 2013 Passat is the worst-ranked year, with 748 complaints and the highest complaint index at 100. Airbags accounted for 382 complaints (51%), median failure mileage 56,718, with electrical system issues at 139 complaints. Owners described airbags failing to deploy in high-speed crashes, touchy steering leading to loss of control, and clutch pedals sticking to the floor. This year also recorded 29 crashes, 24 injuries, and 2 deaths, the highest death count among Passat years, alongside 9 recall campaigns.
2013 airbags problems →2013 electrical system problems →2013 engine problems →
2014 Volkswagen Passat Index 94 · 594 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2014 Passat ranks 2nd worst with 594 complaints and a complaint index of 94. Airbags made up 354 complaints (60%), median failure mileage 50,000. Owners reported airbags deploying with debris flying into occupants' eyes and passenger-side airbags catching fire, brake failures during parking maneuvers that led to multi-car collisions, and cruise control that failed to disengage. NHTSA recorded 10 recall campaigns for this year, including airbag inflator replacements and a headlight aim fix.
2014 airbags problems →2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →
2012 Volkswagen Passat Index 88 · 483 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2012 Passat had 483 complaints and a complaint index of 88, the 3rd worst year. Airbags dominated at 295 complaints (61%) with a median failure mileage of 62,000, followed by electrical system issues at 107 complaints. Owners reported engine fires with sudden smoke and flames, airbags that failed to deploy in severe crashes, and brakes that did not engage during highway driving. NHTSA logged 11 recall campaigns, the most of any Passat year, covering airbag inflators and a headlight aim defect.
2012 airbags problems →2012 electrical system problems →2012 engine problems →
2006 Volkswagen Passat Index 82 · 576 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2006 Passat logged 576 complaints and a complaint index of 82, ranking 4th worst of 18 model years. Engine problems led at 160 complaints (28%) with a median failure mileage of 73,500, followed by airbags at 148 complaints (93,674 median mileage) and steering at 112 complaints. Owners described engines surging or racing unexpectedly at stops, sometimes leading to low-speed collisions, and airbags that failed to deploy in crashes. NHTSA issued 7 recall campaigns for this year, including two separate driver's side airbag inflator recalls and a fuel pump control module recall tied to fuel system interruptions.
2006 engine problems →2006 airbags problems →2006 steering problems →
2015 Volkswagen Passat Index 76 · 243 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2015 Passat had 243 complaints and a complaint index of 76, ranking 5th worst. Airbags led at 88 complaints (36%), median failure mileage 53,000, followed by engine issues at 62 complaints and electrical system issues at 51 complaints. Owners described airbags deploying inadvertently at low speed and causing crashes, brakes that failed to respond and required emergency brake use, and vehicles rolling away in reverse while parked. NHTSA issued 7 recall campaigns, including an airbag inflator recall specific to this model year.
2015 airbags problems →2015 engine problems →2015 electrical system problems →
Most common Volkswagen Passat problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Volkswagen Passat years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 Passat rank worst, with 2013 the lowest overall at a complaint index of 100 and 748 complaints.
- What are the best Volkswagen Passat years?
- The 2011, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Passat rank best, with complaint indexes ranging from 0 to 24 and complaint counts as low as 12 to 18.
- Is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
- The 2013 Passat has the highest complaint index (100) and most complaints (748) of any Passat year, with 382 airbag complaints and 2 reported deaths, so it ranks worst among Passat model years based on NHTSA data.
- What is the most common problem with the Volkswagen Passat?
- Across all years, airbags are the top complaint area with 1,536 complaints (40% share), followed by engine issues at 847 complaints (22%) and electrical system problems at 657 complaints (17%).
- Does the Volkswagen Passat have airbag recalls?
- Yes. Several Passat years, including 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, were subject to multiple airbag inflator recall campaigns reported by NHTSA.