2018 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
42/100
#8 most-complained of 13 Passat years
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat has a Complaint Index of 42, ranking 8th of 13 model years, with a "Good" verdict. It has 45 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls (one do-not-drive), and brakes and engine tie as the top problem areas at 29% each.
- Complaints
- 45
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22 city / 32 hwy
Top 2018 Volkswagen Passat problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes13 (29%)
- Engine13 (29%)
- Electrical System10 (22%)
- Fuel System6 (13%)
- Airbags5 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (7%)
- Other3 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (7%)
- Steering2 (4%)
What owners report
- Brake caliper pistons and mounting bolts reportedly failed, in one case causing a wheel to lock up and the caliper to separate from the rim at speed.
- Owners describe brakes requiring excessive pedal force to stop the vehicle, sometimes with the brake fluid warning light illuminating afterward.
- Some drivers report the engine stalling or hesitating during acceleration, followed by a sudden surge in power.
- One owner reported excessive oil consumption with an engine under 6,700 miles before the first scheduled oil change.
- The vehicle has reportedly been able to be shifted or turned off while still in drive, with the car rolling until the brake is applied.
- Frontal and side airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a moderate-speed collision.
2018 Volkswagen Passat recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V561000Sep 16, 2020Other23 vehicles
Unknown or other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of a crash or injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.
- NHTSA 19V389000May 22, 2019Electrical System662,185 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V536000Aug 15, 2018Brakes8,416 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. The brake caliper bracket mounting bolts on these vehicles may not have been tightened sufficiently.
Risk: The loose brake bracket bolts can allow the caliper to move, reducing braking ability or causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary, free of charge. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46H6.
2018 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
- Compared to other Passat model years, the 2018 gets a "Good" verdict with a Complaint Index of 42, ranking 8th out of 13 years tracked. It has fewer complaints than several earlier Passat years like 2012–2015.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Passat?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Brakes and Engine issues tied as the top problem areas, each accounting for 29% of complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 22%.
- Does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 Passat, including one do-not-drive recall related to brake caliper pistons that could leak brake fluid.
- How does the 2018 Passat compare to other Passat years?
- The 2018 model year, with a Complaint Index of 42, ranks better than 2010, 2012–2015, 2016, and 2017, but worse than 2011, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 according to NHTSA complaint data.