2018 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Volkswagen Passat carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 29 and ranks 13th worst among 18 model years. Its verdict is capped by a Do Not Drive brake recall, and NHTSA lists 45 complaints with brakes as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 29/100
- #13 of 18 Passat years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 45
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2018 Volkswagen Passat problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake calipers can fail or detach, with owners describing a wheel locking up or a caliper coming apart from the rim while driving.
- Some owners report the brake pedal requiring excessive force before the vehicle stops, followed by the brake fluid warning light turning on.
- During cornering, owners describe scraping sounds or vibration through the brakes along with the steering wanting to self-correct.
- The engine has been reported to stall or hesitate briefly before suddenly accelerating, in one case leading to a crash.
- Owners report the vehicle can be shifted out of drive and shut off without warning, then roll until the brake is applied.
- At very low mileage, some owners noticed excessive oil consumption in the engine before the first scheduled oil change.
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?
- NHTSA data gives it a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 29, ranking 13th worst out of 18 Passat model years. The rating is held down by a Do Not Drive brake recall rather than the complaint volume alone.
- What problems does the 2018 Volkswagen Passat have?
- NHTSA lists 45 complaints, with brakes and engine each accounting for 13 complaints (29% share) and electrical system issues making up 10 complaints (22%). Median mileage at failure across the vehicle is 35,000 miles.
- Does the 2018 Passat have a brake recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 18V369000 is a Do Not Drive recall for brake caliper pistons, and a separate recall (18V536000) addresses loose brake caliper bracket bolts.
- How does the 2018 Passat compare to other Passat years?
- With a complaint index of 29, the 2018 model is better than heavily flagged years like 2013 (index 100, Avoid) but worse than 2017 (index 47, Good) and 2019 (index 0, Best).
- Are there other recalls besides brakes on the 2018 Passat?
- Yes, NHTSA lists four recalls total for the 2018 Passat, including an electrical system recall for headlight aim adjustment and a recall tied to internal-use vehicle sales.