Volkswagen PASSAT — Years to Avoid
Which model years have the most problems and which are safe to buy.
Avoid These Years
2013 Volkswagen PASSAT
1026 complaints (1283% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CRASH FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUS
2014 Volkswagen PASSAT
785 complaints (981% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING AND POPPING NOISE WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH NOTIFIED THE CONTACT OF AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT I
2012 Volkswagen PASSAT
660 complaints (825% of segment average)
Main issue: PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, I FELT A CLICK VIBRATION ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN A MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASH SCREEN: AIRBAG: ERROR NONE OF THE ELECTRONIC SWITCHES ON THE STEERING COLUMN FUNCTION, NO AIRBAG AVAILABILITY, NO HORN. I TOOK IT TO THE ONION CREEK DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN, TX AND
2015 Volkswagen PASSAT
388 complaints (485% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SPUN AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS AT THE SCENE AND WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT REQU
2010 Volkswagen PASSAT
226 complaints (283% of segment average)
Main issue: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REVERSING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE SPIRAL CABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFI
2016 Volkswagen PASSAT
179 complaints (224% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND INJURIE
2017 Volkswagen PASSAT
173 complaints (216% of segment average)
Main issue: FAILED STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING ON A 2017 VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN DRIVEN 20,000 MILES OVER 14 MONTHS. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROX 40 MINS, PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT MY STEERING WHEEL MAKE POPPING/CLICKING SOUNDS AND IMMEDIATELY THE AIRBAG ERROR SENSORS WENT OFF ALONG WITH MY SERVICE VEHICL
Safe to Buy
2022 Volkswagen PASSAT
16 complaints — well below segment average
2019 Volkswagen PASSAT
18 complaints — well below segment average
2020 Volkswagen PASSAT
24 complaints — well below segment average
2011 Volkswagen PASSAT
27 complaints — well below segment average
2021 Volkswagen PASSAT
28 complaints — well below segment average