YearToAvoid

2019 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2019 Volkswagen Passat has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of all 18 Passat model years, and ranks Best. It has 12 complaints, 1 recall, and no reported crashes, fires, or injuries.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
0/100
#18 of 18 Passat years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
12
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
25 city / 36 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2019 Volkswagen Passat problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System4 (33%)
  2. Brakes3 (25%)
  3. Engine2 (17%)
  4. Fuel System2 (17%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain2 (17%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (8%)
  7. Other1 (8%)
  8. Steering1 (8%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (8%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some drivers reported the brake pedal positioned too close to the gas pedal, making it hard to distinguish between them.
  • Owners described the speedometer reading slower than actual road speed, along with unrelated air conditioning complaints.
  • Some reported the transmission hesitating or stalling briefly when accelerating from a stop, especially in traffic or while turning.
  • A few owners said the vehicle shifted erratically at low speeds with a loud, jerking motion, which the dealer attributed to a fuel-saving strategy awaiting a software fix.
  • Some drivers said the factory remote start feature did not work from new, a known issue that was not disclosed at purchase.
  • One owner reported the collision avoidance system braking abruptly with no object present.
2019 Volkswagen Passat complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2019Jul 2019Dec 2019Sep 2020Mar 2025
12 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2019 to Mar 2025; peak Nov 2019 (4).

2019 Volkswagen Passat recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2019 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
36 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,250
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.

2019 compared with other Passat years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Good47110725
2018Caution29454 !25.5
2019Best012129
2020Best2418327
2021Best1818128

All Volkswagen Passat years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Passat has a complaint index of 0, the lowest among all 18 Passat model years, and carries a Best verdict.
What problems does the 2019 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA lists 12 complaints for the 2019 Passat, most involving the electrical system (4 complaints, 33% share) and brakes (3 complaints, 25% share), including speedometer inaccuracy, remote start failure, and pedal spacing complaints.
Does the 2019 Volkswagen Passat have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 19V389000) covers a headlight horizontal aim adjustment issue. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2019 Passat compare to other Passat years?
The 2019 model ranks 18th out of 18 years for complaint volume, meaning it has the fewest reported problems relative to other years, unlike Avoid-rated years such as 2013 (complaint index 100) or 2012 (complaint index 88).
What is the top problem area for the 2019 Passat?
Electrical system issues are the top problem area, accounting for 4 of 12 complaints (33% share), with a median failure mileage of 2,762.5 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.